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How to Identify Asbestos In the past century asbestos was used in a myriad of products to make them more durable fire resistant and less costly But exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma Some of these diseases have a long latency period Its hard to spot the presence of a problem until it is too far gone Asbestos Identification Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were once used in building materials due to the fact that they are fireresistant corrosion resistant and insulation It can however cause health hazards when the microscopic fibers are breathed in This could lead to illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma The symptoms of these diseases dont show up until years or decades after the initial exposure They are often misinterpreted as flulike symptoms It is essential that people know how to recognize asbestos The most common way to detect asbestos is by medical tests to look for lung diseases These tests typically include a physical examination chest Xrays and lung function tests These tests are not enough to determine the presence of asbestosrelated illnesses They should be paired with a thorough history of the patient that includes the persons work home and the cultural context Its possible to discover asbestos in a diverse range of building products and materials including cement products paints floor tiles adhesives Artex insulation doors partitions and cladding Asbestos is difficult for people to detect because the fibers are small and light They can effortlessly float through the air and inhale without anyone being aware They also dont create any distinctive smells You can take a small sample if you suspect an item is contaminated with asbestos This should only be performed by a certified professional as removing asbestos is very complex and requires specialized equipment Send the sample to an accredited asbestos analysis lab through the National Voluntary Laboratory Assessment Program NVLAP A list of laboratories can be found on the NVLAP website Its quite easy to disturb asbestos and the danger of doing so can be more pronounced for certain groups of people These include construction workers plumbers and electricians because they are likely to see asbestoscontaining items during renovations and maintenance carmel asbestos attorney who works in these fields must take an asbestos awareness course to ensure that they are aware of the risks and know how to take the necessary precautions Doing Samples A sample of the suspected material is required for asbestos testing or inspection The sample could be taken by an asbestos consultant or a homeowner However it is important to ensure that you dont create dust containing asbestos that is airborne during the cleaning and collection process The person who collects the sample will normally require an air vacuum cleaner that is HEPAfiltered as well as a spray bottle filled with water and disposable coveralls for protection They must also wear a respirator which conforms to ASNZS17162003 Respiratory safety devices when performing the task It is recommended to collect samples on an unwinding day windy and turn off the cooling or heating system This will help reduce the release of airborne asbestos particles When you collect the sample make sure that the area is sealed and that no pets or children can enter After the sample is taken clean all equipment and tools with a damp cloth Place the rag into a plastic bag label it as asbestos waste and dispose of it in an approved asbestos disposal facility Place the resealable bag and the sample inside a second plastic bag then seal it up before marking it as asbestos waste Clean the area with water to be cleaned up again and place a drop sheet over it to catch any released fibres Asbestos samples are typically collected with the help of a pump and cassette system that is preassembled It is essential to ensure that the cassette doesnt become overloaded with dust This could obscure the fibres and bias the results If the sample is being taken from an area that has high amounts of dust that is not fibrous a smaller volume of air can be employed The epidemiological research found that short asbestos fibres could also cause mesothelioma or lung cancer This indicates that size isnt the only one of the factors influencing asbestos fibers pathogenicity and that other factors like chemical properties and dispersion staining polarization and etching times are as well Identifying Professionals When asbestos fibers are spread or disturbed they can end up becoming airborne These microscopic fibers when inhaled may cause lung disease These can lead to mesothelioma asbestosis or other neurological and respiratory ailments The time of onset for many symptoms can take anywhere between 20 and 50 years after exposure Unaffected asbestos is not the risk of health hazards but when the insulation shingles and flooring are damaged or deteriorate they can release the harmful fibers This can occur in the course of a renovation or demolition project or even during regular home usage or aging If you are planning on transforming your home you should consult local environmental or health officials to determine if the building contains asbestos materials If asbestos is found then it should be examined by an asbestos inspector who is accredited prior to beginning any work If you are renovating an older home be sure that any contractors you employ possess the right credentials They must be able provide an asbestos survey and report that contains an evaluation of the condition of any asbestoscontaining material ACM and their brittleness The survey should specify whether or not the contractor will remove the ACM Minor repairs can be made on some ACM However only a professional who is educated in asbestos handling safely is able to tackle these No matter what kind of repair is completed the area must be sealed off from the rest of your home All clothing and equipment should be put in plastic bags and labeled with a warning in order to prevent crosscontamination Professionals can seal or cover ACM to stop it from release of fibers into the air Sealing encapsulation involves treating the material with a chemical that binds or coats the fibers to keep them from being airborne This can be done to insulated pipe or to cover old shingles Professionals can also physically remove ACM The process begins by wetting the materials in order that they can be cut or scraped with different tools without releasing the dangerous fibers Then they put the material in sturdy leakproof airtight containers for safe disposal Repairing or removing asbestos Asbestos is abrasive to corrosion and heat This makes it a suitable material for thousands of products such as wallboard fireproofing insulation and auto brakes However asbestos is an irritant that can cause respiratory problems if fibers are inhaled In most cases these fibers end up trapped in the lungs They can lead to scarring and inflammation of the tissues which can make breathing difficult and cause serious health issues Asbestos is found in numerous areas of the home including ceiling and floor tiles roof shingles exterior siding cement pipe and asbestoscontaining joint compound Examine these areas for water damage abrasions or tears Materials that are slightly damaged can be safe as long as its not disturbed or touched However should the material be in need of repair or you are planning to make changes to your home which could cause disturbance to it you should consult with an asbestos professional These experts can perform an inspection by visuals as well as take samples They can also provide advice about what corrections need to be done and who is qualified to do them It is important that you let the experts handle your asbestos Certain of these professionals have been trained specifically for specific products and they are the only ones who should perform corrective work on them You should also contact your local or State Health Department or Regional Office of the US Environmental Protection Agency to inquire about asbestos training programs available in your area Be aware that there are firms that falsely claim to specialize in asbestos removal These firms can be hazardous as they encourage unneeded removals or conduct them improperly which increases the risk of the release of harmful fibers The American Lung Association does not endorse these companies Before hiring an asbestos specialist it is crucial to thoroughly research the company to ensure that its certified and insured You can also request references from former clients as and proof of insurance coverage and accreditation You should also consult your state or local health and environmental agency for the proper guidelines to follow if you intend to remodel your home