Identifying and Removing Asbestos in your Home
Most of us have probably heard the term asbestos and may have even heard some horror stories about its dangers. It can cause cancers, such as
mesothelioma
and may even cause death in extreme cases. What you may not be aware of is that it is still found in millions of homes across the world, and possibly yours.
Asbestos was once a widely used building material because of its strength and durability. Up until it was banned from being used in 1985, it was very common, being found mostly on roofs, air ducts, and pipes. If you suspect there may be asbestos in your home, your best bet is to leave it alone. Attempting to remove it could result in an unnecessary release of fibers into the air, creating a bad environment for you and your family.
If you are compelled to clean it up yourself, then here are some tips on what to do:
Wear disposable clothing and an asbestos safe dust mask
Spread a plastic sheet under your work area to collect any dust that may fall
If at all possible, don't break up the material, remove it in one piece
Place everything you remove in plastic garbage bags and tie them off immediately
Turn off your air conditioner and furnace to ensure no dust filters through the house
Upon completion, it is wise to clean out all of your duct work
Wash yourself thoroughly when you are done and discard your clothing
Your best bet is to call for professional help if you are convinced that you have asbestos in your home. Most areas have professional removal services. As you can imagine, disposing of asbestos can be quite expensive if you employ professional help, but its well worth your piece of mind and your natural health lifestyle.
Asbestos exposure has led to the dangerous
cancer
called
mesothelioma. The disease is not usually
detected for 20-50 years and if you are diagnosed
with mesothelioma, then you may want to at least
talk with a
mesothelioma attorney. There are many
great lawyers that can give you excellent
asbestos
mesothelioma legal
advice.
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