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How to Identify Asbestos In the past century asbestos was used in a myriad of products to make them stronger more fireresistant and less expensive Exposure to asbestos fibers in the air can cause lung disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis Certain diseases have a long time of latency It can be difficult to recognize the presence of a problem until it is too long gone Identifying Asbestos Asbestos is a range of naturally occurring minerals alaska asbestos lawsuit were once used in building materials due to their fire retardant corrosionresistant and insulating properties Inhaling the tiny fibres could create health risks This can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis These diseases can take years or even decades to show their symptoms They are often mistaken as flulike symptoms This is the reason its so important for people to be aware of how to identify asbestos The most commonly used method to detect asbestos is by medical tests that look for lung diseases These tests usually include physical examinations as well as chest Xrays and pulmonary function tests However asbestosrelated ailments cant be diagnosed with these tests alone as they require a combination with a thorough medical history that looks at a persons work home and cultural environment Its possible to discover asbestos in a diverse variety of building products and materials including cement products floor tiles paints adhesives Artex insulation doors partitions and cladding Asbestos is difficult to spot because the fibers are so small and light They can easily float through the air and breathe without anyone being aware They dont also emit distinct smells If you suspect that a particular material may contain asbestos you can collect a sample of it This should be done by a qualified professional because removing asbestos is complex and requires special equipment Send the sample to an accredited asbestos analysis laboratory through the National Voluntary Laboratory Assessment Program NVLAP The NVLAP website contains a list of accredited laboratories Its very easy to accidentally cause harm to asbestos and the risk of doing so is significantly higher for certain groups of people These include construction workers plumbers and electricians because they are more likely to encounter asbestoscontaining items during maintenance and renovations Its a good idea for anyone who works in these areas to take an asbestos awareness training course to be aware of the dangers and be aware of the appropriate precautions to take Take Samples To conduct asbestos testing or an inspection a sample of the suspect material is needed The sample can be collected by an asbestos expert or by the homeowner but careful consideration should be taken to minimise the generation of dust that contains asbestos during the process of collecting the sample and when cleaning up after The person taking the sample will usually require an air vacuum cleaner that is HEPAfiltered a spray bottle of water and disposable coveralls to provide protection When they are performing the task they should wear a respirator in accordance with ASNZS1716 2003 Respiratory protective device It is best to collect samples on the day that isnt windy and then shut off the heating or cooling system This will help reduce the risk of airborne asbestos particles When collecting the sample make sure that the area is sealed and that no pets or children can enter Make sure to saturate the area to be sampled using the help of a damp rag Then clean all equipment and tools used once the sampling has been completed Place the rag into a plastic bag mark it as asbestos waste and dispose of it at an asbestosfree facility that is approved by the government Place the bag that is resealable and the sample in a second plastic bag Seal it all before marking it as asbestos waste Put a dropsheet of plastic on the area to be cleaned and wet it down once more This will collect any fibres that escape Asbestos is usually collected using a preassembled pumps and cassette system It is essential to ensure that the cassette does not get overloaded with dust This could block the fibres and alter the results If the sample is being collected in an area with high levels of nonfibrous dust the smaller volume of air could be used While most research is focused on asbestos fibers that are long but epidemiological studies have proven that exposure to short asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer as well This suggests that size isnt the only one of the factors influencing the pathogenicity of asbestos fibres and that other parameters like chemical properties and polarization dispersion staining and etching times are as well Identifying Professionals When asbestos fibers are spread or disturbed they can be airborne These microscopic fibers when inhaled can cause lung diseases These microscopic fibers can trigger asbestosis or mesothelioma as well as other respiratory and neurological disorders Many symptoms can appear in the 20 to 50 years following Unaltered asbestos is not an hazard to health but when flooring insulation and shingles are damaged they might release harmful fibers This can happen in the course of a renovation or demolition project or even during normal home usage or the aging process If you are planning to redesign your home ask local health or environment department to determine if the structure is contaminated with asbestos If asbestos is discovered in your home have it checked prior to when any work starts by an accredited asbestos inspector If you are renovating an older home make sure that any contractors you employ have the appropriate credentials They should be able to conduct an asbestos survey and report which includes an evaluation of the condition of any asbestoscontaining material ACM and their ability to withstand friability The survey should also include whether the contractor will take away or leave the ACM intact Repairs of minor nature are possible on certain ACM and other ACMs but only a trained professional who knows the techniques for safely handling asbestos should attempt them No matter what type of repair is done it is essential that the area be sealed from the rest of your home Any contaminated clothing or equipment should be put into plastic bags and labeled with a warning in order to avoid crosscontamination Professionals can seal ACM or cover it to prevent fibers from getting released into the environment Sealing encapsulation also known as encapsulation involves treating the material in a manner that binds and seals the fibers to ensure they dont become airborne This can be done to insulated piping or to cover old shingles Professionals are also able to physically remove ACM The materials are then soaked in order to enable them to be cut using a variety of tools without releasing harmful fibers The materials are then placed in airtight tough containers that are leakproof Removing or replacing Asbestos Asbestos is invulnerable to heat and corrosion which makes it an extremely useful ingredient in many different products like wallboard materials fireproofing insulation and auto brakes However asbestos is an irritant that can cause respiratory problems if fibers are inhaled These fibers can cause tissue inflammation and scarring in the lungs which can impact breathing and cause serious health issues Asbestos can be found in many areas of the home including floor and ceiling tiles roofing shingles exterior siding cement pipe and asbestoscontaining joint compound Check these areas for water damage or abrasions If the material is only little damaged it might be safe to touch it or disturb it If the material needs to be repaired or you are planning to make changes to your home which could damage it then consult an asbestos professional These experts can carry out an inspection by visuals and also take samples They can also give you advice about the corrective measures that need to be done and who is qualified to do them It is recommended that only these professionals handle asbestos Some of these professionals have specific training in particular products and theyre the only ones who should do corrective work on them In addition to speaking with an asbestos specialist who is certified and contacting your local or state health department or regional office of the US Environmental Protection Agency for information about asbestos training programs in your area Also be aware that there are firms that falsely claim to be experts in asbestos removal These firms can be dangerous since they encourage removals that are not needed or perform them improperly and increase the risk of releasing harmful fibers The American Lung Association does NOT endorse these companies Before hiring an asbestos expert it is essential to investigate the company thoroughly to ensure that its accredited and insured You can also request references from past clients and also evidence of accreditation and insurance coverage It is also recommended to check with your state or local health and environmental authorities to find out what procedures are required if youre planning to make any changes at home