What Happens With Asbestos After A Fire in Edmonton?
Posted in Asbestos Removal, on June 15, 2021
What happens if there is a fire in a residential or commercial space that contains asbestos? Carbon monoxide is one of the main concerns for homeowners when there's a fire in their building, but asbestos can be just as dangerous. Asbestos materials can be subject to damage releasing fibres into the air during a fire, which can be severely hazardous when inhaled. Many older homes contain asbestos in their building materials, and companies specializing in asbestos removal in Edmonton can help identify and remove the asbestos from the building. Our team at Canada Restoration Services can help identify and safely remove asbestos in your home as we specialize in asbestos remediation in Edmonton.
Below, we outline the dangers of asbestos exposure during a fire in a building and the steps you can take to protect your building and people.
The Relationship Between Fire and Asbestos
Asbestos was heavily used in the construction industry until the late 1980s for several reasons, including being fire-resistant. Asbestos was in various building materials throughout the house, including shingles, drywall, plumbing and more. Despite its durability, asbestos can break apart when exposed to prolonged durations of heat from a fire.
What Happens To Asbestos During and Following A Fire
Because of the extreme heat, a fire can disturb asbestos materials hidden inside the previously unaffected home. During a fire, asbestos can break apart, releasing fibres into the air. These fibres can then continually divide and become thinner until they become microscopic. Once disturbed, these fibres can remain airborne for several hours after being released and travel long distances due to their size.
The tiny nature of asbestos fibres means that they can be inhaled, quickly accumulating in the lungs once released into the air. Asbestos exposure can lead to several severe health issues, including respiratory problems, asthma and cancer. To ensure that asbestos does not harm anyone, proper personal protective equipment should always be worn around asbestos. A highly experienced professional, like Canada's Restoration Services, should always be contacted for asbestos remediation in Edmonton to ensure safe practices.
How To Prevent Asbestos Exposure
Although asbestos-related diseases usually occur after repeated exposure, there is no safe or minimum limit of exposure. One of the best ways to prevent asbestos exposure during a fire is to remove the asbestos from the building as soon as it's discovered. If you think your home may have asbestos, the first order of business is to call a professional to perform asbestos testing in Edmonton. If asbestos is in fact identified, even if undisturbed, it's best to begin asbestos removal immediately.
When you opt for asbestos removal in Edmonton before the fibres have been disturbed, you prevent any chance occurrences of exposure through a fire or other unforeseen circumstances.
Stay Safe with Asbestos Remediation in Edmonton
It's better to be preventative than reactive when it comes to asbestos management and removal. Protect everyone around you by removing the asbestos in your home before it becomes dangerous.