How is Asbestos Exposure Detected?
Posted in Asbestos Removal, on October 13, 2021
If you’re walking through old historic buildings, moving in an older apartment, or beginning to plan renovations, the possibility of lurking asbestos might likely occur to you. Most people are now aware that asbestos is hazardous material and must be treated as such. Still, there is often mystery in understanding how to detect how much danger you’re really in when it comes to asbestos.
At Canada’s Restoration Services, we provide a full range of services to help people manage their response to this dangerous mineral: from asbestos testing in Edmonton to asbestos removal and cleanup.
The first step to asbestos removal in Edmonton is knowing that asbestos is even there, to begin with. Asbestos is notoriously good at hiding, so here’s what you need to know about detecting the mineral safely.
When is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos has a reputation for being dangerous, even deadly, but that’s not always necessarily the case. If sealed or still, asbestos is likely not an immediate threat, but it can quickly evolve into one. So if you’re around suspected asbestos, it’s crucial to take safety precautions until asbestos testing in Edmonton confirms that materials are asbestos-free. If testing concludes that your property or building materials have asbestos, do not try to remove the material on your own.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is disturbed and released into the air. Fibres are typically disturbed by physical contact: touching, cutting, dropping, even wetting. That’s why it’s a good idea to pause renovations until you’re confident there is no asbestos around. Once airborne, its rigid fibres are released where it multiplies quickly, dividing into easy-to-inhale microscopic fibres. Extended exposure to asbestos fibres can scar lung tissue, causing mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other chronic illnesses. To be safe, contact Canada’s Restoration Services fall asbestos handling. Our team will cautiously handle asbestos removal in Edmonton, following industry best practices and government regulations to rid your property of asbestos.
Where is Asbestos Usually Found?
Asbestos was used quite popularly in Canadian construction before the 1980s for building materials that required insulation, fire resistance, and durability. This included applications such as vermiculite insulation, drywall, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, paint, roofing, pipe wrap, ductwork, furnaces, and much more. If you’re doing work in your attic or basement, it’s a good idea to find a service offering asbestos testing in Edmonton to assess the risk of these materials.
Colour of Asbestos
While commonly used forms of asbestos are categorized by colour: brown asbestos, blue asbestos, or white asbestos, there is usually no identifiable colour of asbestos. Additionally, asbestos doesn’t have a notable scent or odour. And frankly, it would be unsafe to get close enough to asbestos materials to find out. The most reliable way to determine if you require asbestos removal is through professional asbestos testing.
At Canada’s Restoration Services, we offer comprehensive asbestos inspections and asbestos testing in Edmonton. Sending samples to 3rd party labs, we can identify the type of asbestos you’re dealing with and the risk it poses to get the ball rolling on removal promptly.
