Do I Have Asbestos in My Home or Office Building?

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Before removing building materials within your home or business, contact an environmental hygienist to take samples and test for asbestos.

Asbestos is fibrous crystals of silicate that are used in attic and wall insulation due to its strength and ability to resist heat. When construction products made with asbestos, a mineral composed of thin heat-resistant fibers, are damaged, those fibers become airborne.  Asbestos fibers pose a danger to anyone who inhales them.  Asbestos is highly regulated in the U.S., but not banned.

Asbestos may be found in various building materials used in your home or office building, such as paint, insulation, and flooring.  Homes and public structures, such as schools, government housing and office buildings built before the 1980s may contain asbestos in:

• Roof Shingles
• Ceiling and Floor Tiles (i.e., popcorn ceilings)
• Textured Paint
• Spray-on Insulation

Why is it dangerous? Asbestos is dangerous because the long fibrous crystals that it is comprised of can break down into microscopically thin fibers. If disturbed, these fibers are so small they can remain airborne for days. While airborne, individuals can breathe these fibers in. Since the fibers are so small, they can travel deep into a person’s lungs, where they may eventually lodge in the lung tissue. Once there, these fibers can cause serious medical issues including asbestosis. For this reason, it is important to identify and remove asbestos in your home or workspace.

The best way to avoid asbestos exposure is to hire a trained asbestos professional to come onsite and collect samples and have them tested.  Upon receipt of the results if your building comes back “hot” for asbestos you should contact an asbestos abatement company to remove the materials that tested “hot.”  Hiring an asbestos abatement company to remove asbestos from residential and commercial buildings is the safest strategy to keep yourself and others safe.