If you’re a homeowner or a business owner, and if you’re like many other people, you may have a strong inclination to take on “Do-It-Yourself” improvement projects. But when it comes to removing products with asbestos, such as building insulation, is it wise to take on this task without a professional?
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a set of six types of minerals that occur naturally. Synthetic asbestos, which is man-made, was widely used in many different products due to its strength and heat-resistance. Asbestos was banned in most materials in the 1970s, but certain products may still contain asbestos today.
Health Impacts of Asbestos
Asbestos is only tested through a microscope in a laboratory. It is linked to various respiratory diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. These diseases usually take a while to develop, and the symptoms are rarely present immediately after exposure. If you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to contact your doctor immediately to discuss the extent of your exposure and its likely impact on your health. There is little cause for alarm if the material has not been touched or damaged, but once the fibers enter the air, the risk of exposure increases.
Risks of DIY Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is a high health hazard and contact should be avoided at all cost. When asbestos particles are disturbed, they can enter the airspace and be inhaled. You should not attempt to remove or dispose asbestos material from your home or workplace. Leave this work to trained professionals who know how to handle the material safely, how to remove it, and how to dispose of it.
To remove asbestos, appropriate equipment and protective clothing is crucial. Proper removal requires a careful approach and a suitable waste disposal mechanism. A professional asbestos abatement service will know how to remove asbestos while disturbing as few particles as possible.
Do-It-Yourself asbestos removal is highly discouraged. Not only would you have to contact local authorities to find out how you can dispose of asbestos safely; you may also be exposing yourself and your family to asbestos particles without realizing it. Individual particles are virtually undetectable without a microscope, especially when they enter the air. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that contact with asbestos should be avoided and that any item suspected to contain it should be disposed of properly.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Home Contains Asbestos
If there is a substance or material in your home that you suspect contains asbestos, do not touch it or try to confirm its identity. This would only increase the risk of contamination because it would disturb the material and allow individual fibers to get into the air. Rather than investigating the material yourself, don’t hesitate to contact an asbestos abatement in Los Angeles service that can determine the presence of asbestos.
If you suspect that there is asbestos in your home or workplace, call our certified professionals for identification and removal. We offer a quick response to distress calls and ensure safe asbestos testing services. If the material turns out to be asbestos-positive, we are capable of removing the material safely without putting your household at risk of exposure. Contact us today for safe asbestos removal from your home or business place.
Thanks to Nielsen Environmental for more information on asbestos abatement.
