Asbestos Testing Grand Junction, COAspen Growth Enterprises |
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What Is Asbestos?Asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring minerals (some of which are still mined today) which exhibit useful properties, and thus have been utilized in building materials. The most common of these properties is thermal insulation and thermal stability.
Friable vs. Non-FriableIn the asbestos industry, you will hear the terminology “friable” and “non-friable” used to describe asbestos containing material. If the material is referred to as “friable,” this means that the material can be disturbed or destroyed (reduced to a powder) by light pressure. “Non-friable” material, on the other hand, is asbestos containing material that is too hard to be disturbed by light pressure – it would, alternatively, take mechanical grinding, sanding, or other extreme pressure to reduce the material to a powdered state.
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What Makes Asbestos Dangerous?
When left undisturbed, asbestos is relatively harmless. The problem with asbestos comes into play when the fibers of asbestos are disturbed and become airborne. If materials containing asbestos are present in a building and in good condition, they are considered to be safe. It is recommended that the areas be monitored closely, however, and repaired if possible when wear and tear is noticed in the area.
However, if the asbestos containing material becomes damaged in any way, the fibers can separate and become airborne, and this is when potential health risks to the building’s occupants become a very real possibility.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that can be released into the air when the asbestos containing material is disturbed. These fibers can be inhaled into the lungs and can, in turn, cause significant health problems.
There has not been a determination by researchers as to whether or not there is any “safe” level of exposure to asbestos, but the commonly understood situation is that the longer and higher the exposure time to asbestos that has become airborne, the greater likelihood an individual has of contracting serious long-term health problems as a direct result of asbestos inhalation. The side effects can have a long latency period, which means that the health effects might not even appear until 40 years after initial exposure to asbestos fibers. Generally, the latency period for asbestos is between 10 and 40 years.
Some of the health problems that can result from asbestos inhalation are:
However, if the asbestos containing material becomes damaged in any way, the fibers can separate and become airborne, and this is when potential health risks to the building’s occupants become a very real possibility.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that can be released into the air when the asbestos containing material is disturbed. These fibers can be inhaled into the lungs and can, in turn, cause significant health problems.
There has not been a determination by researchers as to whether or not there is any “safe” level of exposure to asbestos, but the commonly understood situation is that the longer and higher the exposure time to asbestos that has become airborne, the greater likelihood an individual has of contracting serious long-term health problems as a direct result of asbestos inhalation. The side effects can have a long latency period, which means that the health effects might not even appear until 40 years after initial exposure to asbestos fibers. Generally, the latency period for asbestos is between 10 and 40 years.
Some of the health problems that can result from asbestos inhalation are:
Asbestosis
This is a lung disease scarring in the lungs and results from asbestos fibers becoming lodged in the lungs. Since the body has no natural way of expelling these fibers (they are extremely hard and sharp), they remain in the lungs if inhaled and begin to cause the scarring. Eventually, the lungs are unable to function due to the scarring. This disease has a long latency period and may not become evident for several decades after asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma
A cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs, chest, and/or abdominal wall. While asbestos exposure is not the only cause of this type of cancer, it is certainly among the leading causes. This cancer also has a relatively long latency period, and therefore symptoms may not appear for many years after exposure to asbestos.
Lung Cancer
The two leading causes of lung cancer are smoking and exposure to asbestos. Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can also be caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers.
It is important to remember that a common misconception of asbestos exposure is that an individual who has been exposed to asbestos inhalation will experience instantaneous symptoms such as headaches or upper respiratory irritation. This is unlikely to happen – any symptoms experienced as a result of inhaling asbestos fibers will likely have a considerable latency period and may not be evident for decades after exposure.
It is important to remember that a common misconception of asbestos exposure is that an individual who has been exposed to asbestos inhalation will experience instantaneous symptoms such as headaches or upper respiratory irritation. This is unlikely to happen – any symptoms experienced as a result of inhaling asbestos fibers will likely have a considerable latency period and may not be evident for decades after exposure.
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What Should You Do If You Have Asbestos In Your Home?
The first thing you should do if you find asbestos in your home is to leave it alone. Even though asbestos is safe when it's not disturbed, it can be difficult to tell whether it's been disturbed or not. If the area appears undamaged, it will be best to ensure that the area is left undisturbed as much as possible and monitored closely to ensure that it remains intact.
If you see that you have an area of your home that you know contains asbestos and seems to have been disturbed, you should never try to remove asbestos from a property on your own. The professionals have the equipment and experience necessary to safely remove asbestos, so you should call someone right away. Without the right tools and equipment, you could seriously harm yourself or others within the property. And no matter what, do not use power tools on any materials containing asbestos; doing so will disturb the asbestos and distribute the fibers throughout the air.
If you see that you have an area of your home that you know contains asbestos and seems to have been disturbed, you should never try to remove asbestos from a property on your own. The professionals have the equipment and experience necessary to safely remove asbestos, so you should call someone right away. Without the right tools and equipment, you could seriously harm yourself or others within the property. And no matter what, do not use power tools on any materials containing asbestos; doing so will disturb the asbestos and distribute the fibers throughout the air.
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal can be extremely complex, and it is not recommended that homeowners attempt to DIY an asbestos cleanup. Asbestos fibers can remain airborne for long periods of time and therefore can remain present in air ducts throughout a home long after the dust from an initial asbestos spill has been cleaned from the immediate area. This means that they can be re-distributed throughout the home each time heating or cooling kicks on in the home.
There is no need to panic if asbestos if found in your home, as it was (and still is) commonly used. However, the dangers of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers are very real, and the possibility of the complications and possible side effects of the exposure should be taken seriously. It is highly recommended that homeowners who have discovered that they are in need of asbestos removal contact a professional in order to take care of the problem.
Additionally, homeowners who live in older homes should consider having the building tested for asbestos before attempting even minor home improvements or remodels so that they can be prepared to incorporate asbestos removal into the budget for their project to alleviate the possibility of exposing themselves or their families to the harmful effects of asbestos.
Keep in mind, as well, that any renovation or remodeling projects are subject to rules and regulations regarding asbestos – Colorado’s Regulation 8 states that removal of thirty-two square feet or more of suspect building materials requires an asbestos test.
There is no need to panic if asbestos if found in your home, as it was (and still is) commonly used. However, the dangers of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers are very real, and the possibility of the complications and possible side effects of the exposure should be taken seriously. It is highly recommended that homeowners who have discovered that they are in need of asbestos removal contact a professional in order to take care of the problem.
Additionally, homeowners who live in older homes should consider having the building tested for asbestos before attempting even minor home improvements or remodels so that they can be prepared to incorporate asbestos removal into the budget for their project to alleviate the possibility of exposing themselves or their families to the harmful effects of asbestos.
Keep in mind, as well, that any renovation or remodeling projects are subject to rules and regulations regarding asbestos – Colorado’s Regulation 8 states that removal of thirty-two square feet or more of suspect building materials requires an asbestos test.
Call Today!
Aspen Growth is available for Asbestos Testing during normal business hours: 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday
