Friable Asbestos - The Dangers They Pose In The Home
This article discusses the dangers posed by friable asbestos in the home. This particular kind of asbestos-containing material crumbles easily and releases fibers and dust into the air. Its distinctive feature is that it can be easily crushed by the hand into powder if it is dry. Examples of these kinds of materials are various kinds of plasters, acoustic tiles and ceilings, thermal insulation used for pipes and water heaters, and wallboard. Although these have already been banned, a lot of these types of asbestos are still found in many homes. The removal of asbestos would require special techniques to prevent the fibers and dust from getting into the air. Meanwhile, non-friable asbestos-containing materials have a hardening agent or binder such as vinyl, asphalt or cement but they can become friable if burned and they also pose the same danger when damaged or disturbed during home renovation activities.
The microscopic fibers that are released by friable asbestos into the air can persist in the air for a long time, thus increasing the chances of somebody inhaling them and the fibers lodging inside the lungs. The problem is that it may take several years before the symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma will appear and by then it would be too late. Moreover, there is no such thing as a safe level of exposure. Even a single exposure has been found to cause health problems. Removing asbestos is imperative if you have this kind of material in your home. It is like a bomb waiting to explode. The only difference is that it is a silent bomb and you may never know that you have been hit until it is too late.
The recommended solution to this problem is to get the services of an asbestos remediation company with workers who are properly trained and who have the experience and knowledge. They are also knowledgeable about asbestos regulations that ensure the safety of members of your family and the environment. One strategy that can be utilized to prevent the release of the dangerous fibers into the air is to wet the asbestos, taking care to saturate the material while ensuring that not too much water is used. This is because if too much water is applied the runoff could get into the drainpipes and contaminate the environment.
In summary, it is not possible to postpone the removal of asbestos from the home if you discover that you have friable asbestos. However, if it is not friable, it might be a better choice to leave the asbestos alone because it does not pose a health risk as long as it is not disturbed or damaged. You may gain some peace of mind by getting the services of an asbestos inspector who is licensed by the state to properly assess and weigh the risks posed by getting rid of the asbestos compared to letting it remain untouched. It is important to remember that if the activity causes the release of the dangerous fibers into the air, the homeowner will be legally liable for exposing other people to them.
