Asbestos and Why You Shouldn’t Remove It Yourself

Asbestos is a group of naturally-occurring minerals. The compound has thin fibers similar to needles. Prolonged exposure to this substance may cause health concerns like cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Although asbestos may help enhance and fireproof materials, still, specific situations need the removal of this matter as it might cause harm to its environment. However, it’s essential not to use Do-it-Yourself (DIY) methods or risk further complications.

The Dangers of Asbestos

Asbestos may enter the body through breathing, but it only becomes dangerous when an individual inhales or ingests its dust or fibers. These small substances might become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.

As previously mentioned, the impact of asbestos may cause harmful health effects. People can acquire illnesses from exposure to this substance. These diseases may include:

• Asbestosis

This chronic yet severe respiratory disease makes the patient experience shortness of breath and a dry, purr-like sound in the lungs when inhaling. Asbestos fibers aggravate lung tissues, which may cause scarring. At the time of writing, this ailment might be disabling or fatal, and has no effective long-term treatment.

• Mesothelioma

This disease is a rare form of  cancer occurring in the membrane lining of the abdomen, chest, and lungs. It may also take place in the heart. Professionals in industries closely working with asbestos might be at a high risk of acquiring this illness.

• Other Cancers

Unsafe handling of asbestos and overexposure to the substance may lead to other cancer forms. The fibers lingering in the body of an exposed individual may develop into cancer in the stomach, colon, or kidneys.

Your age, along with the amount and duration of exposure to the material, helps determine the likelihood of developing the above-mentioned diseases. Also, people who smoke are more likely to have more exposure to asbestos than non-smoking individuals. Smoking puts the lungs at a high risk of developing cancer, and inhaling or ingesting airborne asbestos fibers may increase scarring in the said organ.

Identifying Asbestos in Your Home

Homes built around the 1980s (or earlier) might have asbestos-containing materials, such as vinyl tiles, heating units, and vermiculite in attics. Also, mold in the ceiling might be an indicator that a home has this carcinogen.

The best step to take after identifying the presence of asbestos in your home is to contact asbestos-removal experts to handle the extraction. Removing asbestos from your home needs the capable hands of skilled professionals. Avoid using DIY methods as the task can be dangerous.

The Dangers of Asbestos Removal

Asbestos can be dangerous to extract. Failure to handle the substance correctly might result in health complications for you and your family. Unwanted exposure may also lead to contaminating the homes of your neighbors.

Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t use DIY removal methods:

1. The task requires licenses and training. Mishandling asbestos might break the compound, leading to overexposure to its dust or fibers. Professionals have the required permissions and training to remove the substance safely.

1. It takes experience. Professional asbestos removers know how to handle the compound. Training and expertise allow experts to minimize risks in the work environment.

1. Professionals possess insurance. Asbestos removal firms provide public liability insurance to people involved in the extraction process. So, the company may offer financial compensation if anything goes wrong in the work area.

1. The risks outweigh the benefits. Trying to remove asbestos without proper training may increase the chances of unwanted exposure to the compound. Let the professionals handle the extraction and disposal of the substance to ensure the safety of household members as well as your neighbors.

1. Experts know how to dispose of the material properly. It might not be enough to remove asbestos from the premises. Specific scenarios might require the complete disposal of the substance to avoid any further long-term damage to the surrounding environment. Let the professionals handle the dumping to lessen the dangers posed by the possible mishandling of the material.

Final Thoughts

The presence of asbestos does not automatically mean you and other people are in immediate danger. Professionals might leave the substance behind if it’s still in good condition. Also, the location and state of the material may not pose health risks to the people in the area. Consult a reliable asbestos removal company in your area to check if they can help you in removing this substance from your home.

It might be best to leave the asbestos removal process to skilled experts. Avoid handling the compound using DIY methods if you don’t possess the skills and experience. Otherwise, you might put yourself and other people at risk of contamination.