HOW CAN I TEST FOR ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in many construction materials, including insulation and fireproofing products. While it has been used for decades due to its fire resistant qualities, asbestos can unfortunately also cause some very serious health problems when it becomes airborne and is inhaled. Therefore, testing for asbestos is essential before you begin any kind of renovation or demolition project. If you are concerned about asbestos in your environment, keep reading to find out what you can do to make sure you are safe.
WHEN DID THEY STOP USING ASBESTOS IN CANADA?
The creation of many new materials made using asbestos was banned as of the year 1979 in Canada. Despite this, there were still some materials that were created with asbestos in them, and there were lots of materials left over from before the ban. Because of this, there are some buildings and homes with detectable asbestos up until the 1990's.
WHY IS ASBESTOS HAZARDOUS?
Asbestos fibres are very small, and when they become airborne, they can easily be inhaled into the lungs. Once in the body, these fibers can cause scarring of the tissue and increase the risk of developing cancer. Asbestos is also known to increase risk of lung disease and mesothelioma. If you live or work in a building constructed with asbestos products, you could be at risk and should seek testing.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME?
If you are concerned that your home may contain asbestos, the first step should be to contact a qualified and certified asbestos professional who can help with testing. Testing typically involves taking air samples from every room of the home or office building as well as sample areas of suspected material containing asbestos. The samples will then be sent to a laboratory where they will be analyzed by professionals with special training in asbestos detection.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR ENVIRONMENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR ASBESTOS
Once the results are available, your asbestos professional will be able to advise you on the best and safest course of action. If there is a high level of asbestos present in the air or material samples, they can help you with abatement or removal plans. It is important to ensure that any asbestos is handled and removed by a trained professional so that the environment remains as safe as possible for everyone using it. This is not something that you should attempt to do yourself, so make sure that you discuss the process with the professional who tested your space and find out what your next steps should be.
Testing for asbestos is a very important step in protecting your home and family from any potential health risks associated with this harmful mineral. With the help of a qualified and certified asbestos expert, you can rest assured that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that your home is safe and free from asbestos contamination.
