What you need to know-Asbestos 101
Asbestos 101- what you need to know
Almost everyone knows that asbestos can cause serious disease. But what is it and why is it so harmful to our health?
A brief overview of the pesky mineral
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring silicate mineral fiber which has been used in various ways for over 4,500 years. By 1900, large-scale asbestos mining operations were in full swing in the United States. It has been used in over 3,000 different products for industrial, commercial and home use because of its unique properties. It is flame-retardant, inexpensive, easy to obtain, flexible and it is typically unaffected by acids and other chemicals.
Although its use has been declining in the US since the last mine closed in 2002, the mineral is still used today in a variety of products, such as roofs, floor and ceiling tiles, plumbing and pipewrap and caulking.
So, is your health at risk?
When the fibers are inhaled, they permanently lodge themselves in the lung tissue and airways. Continuous exposure to these fibers increases your risk for asbestos-related diseases, though these illnesses will not appear until many years after exposure.
Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are only problematic if they are disturbed, damaged or removed improperly, causing the mineral fibers to become airborne. It makes sense, then, that the majority of these illnesses can be linked to occupational exposure (mainly construction workers) because they have worked directly with the installation or demolition of ACM.
But because it is still used in so many products today, many others may be vulnerable to exposure in their homes or offices, no matter the age of the building. The only way to know whether or not the material in your house is ACM is to have it tested by a licensed removal company before any renovation to your home, apartment or office.
Denver’s own Asbestos Abatement Inc. is your best bet for a problem-free renovation. Call 303-794-4450 today to arrange testing or abatement services!
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Asbestos 101- what you need to know
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Almost everyone knows that asbestos can cause serious disease. But what is it and why is it so harmful to our health?
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