Asbestos in the Home
A naturally occurring
mineral, asbestos was widely used in a variety of building components
through the late 1970s. During that decade, undeniable evidence proved
that inhaling small asbestos fibers could lead to a variety of health
issues, including a rare form of cancer, called
mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a chronic and progressive disease of
the lungs that causes severe pulmonary ailments. Asbestos exposure is
also known to cause lung and gastrointestinal cancer as well.
Once the dangers of
asbestos were proven, it was removed from many building materials—but
not before it was fitted in nearly every home built before 1978
(asbestos was still used in construction after this date, just in
smaller quantities). Generally, asbestos does not cause health problems
unless its fibers are released into the air; so many homes built before
the ’80s still contain asbestos.
Where You May Find Asbestos
Asbestos was once used in
many types of building materials. Because it is fireproof and features
insulating properties, asbestos was commonly used in ceiling and floor
tiles, insulated electrical wiring, the HVAC system, wall and attic
insulation, as well as wall boards. Products that contain asbestos are
not easy to identify on sight, and it is generally understood that if
your home was built prior to 1978, you should assume that it contains
asbestos building materials to some degree.
How to Test for Asbestos
If you are concerned that
your home contains asbestos building materials, you can hire an
experienced licensed contractor or home inspector for an assessment.
Depending on the material, they may be able to tell by visual inspection
whether a building product contains asbestos. This, however, is not a
foolproof method. The only surefire way to know if your home contains
asbestos is to have a professional collect samples of the building
materials. The samples are sent to a laboratory where testing will
verify asbestos contamination.
Asbestos Abatement
To prevent health problems
due to asbestos exposure, you should hire a professional to determine
the location of any asbestos-containing building materials and have them
removed. If you cannot afford to replace the asbestos material, have
the contractor seal off the material until complete removal is an
option. If the asbestos products become damaged or worn, or if they
become friable or easily crumbled, they should be repaired or replaced
immediately.
While it may be difficult
to assess the condition of electrical wiring or your heating and cooling
system, peeling floor tiles or drooping ceiling tiles are a sure sign
that repair or replacement is needed. Damaged asbestos will release
microscopic fibers into the air, which are easily inhaled and lodge into
the lungs, causing severe harm over time. Many professionals advise if
the asbestos is not damaged it should be left alone or sealed in some
protective manner, as it presents little health risk. If the asbestos
is damaged, though, the homeowner needs to consider the options on how
to approach the problem. Federal asbestos abatement laws typically
apply only to commercial buildings and larger residential buildings, and
not to residential buildings of four or less units. Though most
homeowners are legally allowed to remove asbestos themselves, this is an
extremely risky endeavor that should be left to an experienced licensed
professional.
Hire A Professional
There are a variety of
professionals available for asbestos abatement in the home. Whether you
want to remove the asbestos-containing materials completely, or choose
to cover them in some way, a licensed professional offers safety and
security, as removing asbestos on your own is exceptionally hazardous.
Hiring a licensed
contractor provides peace of mind and may protect you and your family
from exposure to the deadly microscopic asbestos fibers. Professionals
can perform air quality tests before, during, and after the remediation
process—both in the contaminated part of the home as well as other
areas. Air monitoring can be particularly reassuring if your family is
living in the home during abatement.
Methods of Remediation
Undoubtedly, some will
choose to remove the asbestos-containing materials themselves, despite
the danger of developing a deadly disease. Those who are willing to
take the risk should research the methods of remediation and take every
precaution possible. There are four standard ways of dealing with the
asbestos materials in the home:
Enclosure. When enclosing the asbestos-containing
material, you are essentially building a box around the area that
prevents the damaged asbestos particles from entering the air. Diligent
care must be taken during construction of the enclosure to ensure the
asbestos is not disturbed.
Encapsulation. Encapsulation is a process where an
acrylic substance is applied with a sprayer over the asbestos. Since
the acrylic is sprayed on, the asbestos is not disturbed during the
process, and the acrylic acts as a seal over the asbestos.
Repair. Repairing the damaged asbestos presents a
serious concern of exposure, as the damaged asbestos material may
release fibers during removal and replacement. The undamaged building
material left intact should be avoided at all costs. Working in close
proximity to the disturbed asbestos-containing material makes it
imperative to be properly equipped (to reduce asbestos exposure).
Removal. If the asbestos-containing material is
badly damaged, or if the idea of living in a home that contains asbestos
is too disquieting, you may need to consider asbestos removal. Before
removing asbestos, it is vital to fully research not only how to remove
the asbestos, but also what safety equipment should be worn and what you
will do with the harmful asbestos-contaminated materials upon removal.
These materials are considered hazardous waste and cannot be disposed
with regular trash. During the removal process, you must place signs at
the entrance of the area so no one wanders in without protection. Make
sure to wear protective clothing and a respirator, and leave that
clothing and all tools behind at the end of the work day. Do not bring
the clothing or your shoes into the rest of the house. Create an
airlock with plastic sheeting to keep asbestos fibers from entering the
rest of the house, and always thoroughly wet the area of removal to
reduce the chance of asbestos fibers becoming airborne.
For more resources on
asbestos, the various forms of
asbestos cancer and other diseases caused by asbestos exposure,
please visit Asbestos.com.
|
