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How to Identify Asbestos In the past century asbestos was utilized in a myriad of products to make them more durable fire resistant and less expensive However exposure to asbestoscontaining airborne fibers can lead to lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma Certain of these diseases could have a long time of latent Its hard to spot a problem until its too far gone Identifying Asbestos Asbestos is a class of naturally occurring minerals that were used in building materials due to the fact that they are fireproof corrosion resistant and an insulator However it can cause health hazards when the microscopic fibers are breathed in This can lead to the development of diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis These diseases can take a long time or even decades to show their symptoms They are often mistaken as flulike symptoms This is the reason its so important for people to know how to recognize asbestos Medical tests to check for lung diseases are the most common way to find asbestos These tests typically include physical examinations as well as chest Xrays and lung function tests tennessee asbestos lawsuit arent enough to determine the presence of asbestosrelated illnesses They should be paired with a comprehensive history of the patient that includes details about the patients work residence and the culture of their environment Asbestos is found in a variety of construction products and materials including cement paints and floor tiles It is also present in insulation doors partitions cladding and Artex Asbestos is difficult to identify because the fibers are so small and light They are able to effortlessly glide through the air and inhale without anyone even noticing They dont also emit distinct smells You can take a small sample if you suspect that a material contains asbestos It is essential that only a professional can remove asbestos as its an intricate process that requires special equipment Send the sample to an accredited asbestos analysis laboratory through the National Voluntary Laboratory Assessment Program NVLAP The NVLAP website contains the list of accredited laboratories Certain categories of people are at a greater risk of accidentally disturbing asbestos Plumbers construction workers and electricians are all at risk of asbestos exposure in maintenance and renovations Anyone 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 proper precautions Doing Samples To conduct asbestos testing or an inspection for asbestos testing or inspection a sample of the suspected material is required 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 Typically the person taking the sample should be equipped with a HEPAfiltered vacuum cleaner a water spray bottle and disposable coveralls to protect themselves They should also wear a respirator which conforms to ASNZS17162003 Respiratory safety equipment while carrying out the task It is best to collect samples on the day that isnt windy and then shut off the cooling or heating system This will minimize the airborne asbestos particles When collecting the sample make sure that the area is sealed and that pets and children can get into the Make sure to saturate the area to be sampled using an abrasive rag then clean the tools and equipment utilized after the sample is completed Place the rag in a plastic bag and label it as contaminated waste and dispose of it at an asbestosfree disposal facility that is licensed Place the resealable bag containing the sample inside a second plastic bag then seal it all before marking it as asbestos waste Put a dropsheet of plastic on the area that needs be cleaned and wet it again This will collect any fibres that escape Asbestos sample are typically taken by using a pump and cassette system that is preassembled It is essential that the cassette is not filled with dust as this may obscure the fibres in the filter and cause a bias in the result If the sample is being taken in an area with high amounts of dust that is not fibrous smaller volumes of air can be employed The epidemiological studies revealed that asbestos fibres of short length can also cause mesothelioma and lung cancer This indicates that size is only one of the factors influencing asbestos fibers pathogenicity and that other parameters like chemical properties like polarization dispersion staining and etching times are as well Identifying Professionals When asbestos fibers are displaced or disturbed they can airborne These microscopic fibers once inhaled can trigger lung disease These microscopic fibers can trigger asbestosis or mesothelioma aswell in other neurological and respiratory conditions The symptoms can manifest from 20 to 50 years later Unaffected asbestos is not an health risk however when insulation shingles and flooring are damaged or worn out and release harmful fibers This can occur when you are working on a renovation or demolition project or even during normal home usage or aging If you are planning to make changes to your home ask your local health or environment department whether the building is asbestosfree If asbestos is found in your home you should have it checked prior to when any work can begin by an asbestos inspector who is accredited If you are renovating an older property make sure that any contractors you hire possess the right credentials They should be able supply an asbestos report and survey which includes an assessment of the condition of any ACM asbestoscontaining material and their brittleness The survey should state whether or whether the contractor will eliminate the ACM Minor repairs are possible on some ACM but only a certified professional who has been trained in techniques for safely handling asbestos should attempt these repairs No matter what kind of repair is made the area must be sealed off from the rest of your home Any contaminated clothing or equipment should be put in plastic bags and labeled with a warning in order to prevent crosscontamination Professionals can cover or seal ACM to stop it from emitting fibers into the environment Sealing encapsulation also referred to as encapsulation involves treating the material in a manner which binds and covers the fibers so they dont become airborne This can be done to insulated pipes or to cover old shingles Professionals can also physically remove ACM The materials are then soaked to allow them to be cut using a variety of tools without releasing harmful fibers Then they place the material in sturdy leakproof airtight containers to ensure safe disposal Repairing or Removing Asbestos Asbestos is resistant against corrosion and heat This makes it a suitable material for a variety of products including wallboard as well as fireproofing insulation and auto brakes Asbestos is a poisonous substance that can cause respiratory problems when fibers are breathed in These fibers can cause tissue inflammation and scarring in the lungs This can be detrimental to breathing and can cause serious health problems Asbestos can be found in numerous areas of an apartment such as floor and ceiling tiles roof shingles exterior siding cement pipe and asbestoscontaining joint compound Check these areas for damage abrasions or tears If the material is slighty damaged it might be safe to touch or move However should the material be damaged or you plan to make changes in your home that could affect it you should consult with an asbestos professional They can conduct an inspection visually and collect samples They can also give you guidance on the corrective measures required and who qualifies It is recommended that only these experts handle asbestos They have been trained in specific asbestos products and should be permitted to correct them You can also contact your local or State Health Department or Regional Office of the US Environmental Protection Agency to find out about asbestos training programs available in your area Be aware that there are firms which falsely claim they specialize in asbestos removal These firms could be dangerous as they encourage unneeded removals or conduct them improperly which increases the risk of releasing harmful fibers The American Lung Association does not endorse these companies It is essential to do your research thoroughly before hiring an asbestos professional to ensure that it is properly certified and insured You can also ask for references from previous clients and also confirmation of accreditation and insurance coverage It is also recommended to check with your local or state health and environmental agency for the correct guidelines to follow if you are planning to remodel your house
