Asbestos Exposure: When is it Dangerous?
Posted in Asbestos Removal, on June 07, 2021
Asbestos can be hiding beneath the surface of your home or your office. It has been used quite frequently in construction, paint, and other materials that were ubiquitous at the time. Once uncovered, it's essential to remove asbestos for the safety of everyone using the area. If you're planning a home renovation or any other work around the home, you may stumble upon asbestos. If you encounter asbestos, it's essential to leave the area, test the materials, and call a professional for asbestos removal in Mississauga.
At Canada Restoration Services, we have a team of experienced professionals who can help protect your home by providing asbestos abatement in Mississauga and across the GTA.
Where Can Asbestos Be Found?
Its durability, affordability, fire resistance and other beneficial properties made asbestos a favourite for building materials. As a result, it was used heavily in the construction industry between the 1950s and 1990s.
Asbestos was used to construct all types of buildings, such as homes, condos, hospitals, offices, and more in various building products, including flooring, tiles, insulation, fire doors, cladding, water heaters, electrical panels, etc.
Signs of Asbestos
It is challenging to identify if asbestos is inside your home just through a visual inspection. The best way to determine if the hazardous material is, in fact, lurking around your home is to send samples to a lab to confirm the materials inside the components.
If collecting samples to send to a lab, it is safest to have the process carried out by a trained professional rather than taking on a DIY approach. This is because any cutting and damaging of asbestos in drywall, popcorn ceilings or piping, can disturb fibres, releasing them into the air. Once asbestos fibres are airborne, they can be easily inhaled. At Canada Restoration Services, our team is highly experienced in collecting samples and ensuring the safety of everyone at home while doing so.
When Does Asbestos Become Dangerous?
Asbestos only becomes dangerous when disturbed or damaged, and asbestos fibres are released into the air. If these fibres are inhaled, they can 'latch' onto the lungs and cause short and long-term health hazards, including asthma and cancer. Asbestos-containing products will not release asbestos fibres into the air unless they are damaged or interfered with. This typically happens during home renovations, such as cutting into drywall or replacing piping in the kitchen.
The impact of asbestos after exposure is dependent on several factors. People are more likely to get asbestos-related disorders if they have exposure to high concentrations of asbestos, exposure for a long duration or frequent exposure throughout their life. Asbestos fibres can build up inside the lungs as exposure increases.
How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure
If you suspect asbestos inside of your home, the best thing to do is usually to leave it alone and call CRS for professional asbestos removal in Mississauga. Regular visual inspections can be done to ensure there's no cracking or damage to the product. Asbestos products are usually very sturdy and will not be damaged unless directly interfered with.
Before doing any home renovations or modifications, it is best to do an asbestos inspection beforehand to protect your home and family.
Contact Canada Restoration Services today for an asbestos inspection and for asbestos abatement in Mississauga.
