Asbestos Testing | What is it and Why it is Bad?
Asbestos is a material that was once widely used in construction and insulation due to its fire-resistant properties. It has since been linked to a number of serious health problems, including lung cancer. If you suspect that your home or office may contain asbestos, it’s important to get asbestos testing by a professional. Removal and mitigation can be costly, but it’s important to protect yourself and your family from the potential health risks.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a material that was once widely used in construction and insulation due to its fire-resistant properties. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibers. These fibers are so small that they can easily become airborne and inhaled. These fibers are can become trapped in the lungs and cause irritation and inflammation. Over time, this can lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer.
While asbestos was once considered a wonder material due to its fire-resistant properties, we now know that the health risks far outweigh any benefits. If you suspect that your home or office may contain asbestos, it’s important to have it tested by a professional. If asbestos is present, removal and mitigation can be costly.
Laws Created to Protect from Asbestos
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was passed in 1986 in response to the growing health concerns surrounding asbestos exposure. AHERA requires that asbestos-containing materials in schools be identified and controlled to prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne. If asbestos is found in a school, the school must develop an asbestos management plan to ensure that the material is properly removed or repaired.
In addition to AHERA, there are a number of other laws and regulations that govern asbestos in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established limits on asbestos exposure in the workplace to protect workers from asbestos-related health problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also enacted a number of regulations to limit asbestos exposure and minimize the risk of asbestos-related diseases.
Where Asbestos can be Found in a Home
Asbestos can be found in a number of places in a home, including floor tiles, roofing materials, insulation, and drywall. Popcorn ceilings are also a common source of asbestos exposure. Homes built between 1930 and 1950 are more likely to contain asbestos than newer homes. However, asbestos can be found in homes of all ages. If you are having work done on your home and your contractor cuts into drywall or insulation, asbestos fibers may become airborne and could be inhaled. This is why it’s important to have your home tested for asbestos before beginning any renovation or repair project.
Asbestos Testing
The only way to know for sure if asbestos is present in your home or office is to have it tested by a professional. There are a number of DIY asbestos test kits on the market, but these tests are not always accurate and should not be used as a substitute for professional testing. If you do decide to test for asbestos yourself, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take precautions to avoid disturbing any asbestos-containing materials.
Professional asbestos testing is typically done by taking samples of materials from your home or office and sending them to a lab for analysis. The cost of asbestos testing can vary depending on the size of your home or office, but it is generally affordable. If asbestos is found, removal and mitigation can be costly, but it’s important to protect yourself and your family from the potential health risks.
Costs of Testing and Removal or Mitigation
The cost of asbestos mitigation varies depending on the severity of the problem. For example, if asbestos is found in insulation, you may need to replace the entire insulation.
Asbestos testing typically costs around $495 for a 2,000 square foot home. The cost of asbestos removal and mitigation can vary depending on the size and scope of the project. Asbestos removal can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for a small job, or up to $20,000 or more for a large-scale project.
Asbestos Testing and Removal are NOT DIY
Removal should only be done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Abatement contractors are trained in the proper techniques for safely removing asbestos-containing materials. If asbestos-containing materials are not removed properly, asbestos fibers can become airborne and pose a serious health risk.
Furthermore, any asbestos issues with a home must be fixed before the home can be sold.
Summary
If you think asbestos may be present in your home or office, get your home tested by a professional. Once asbestos has been confirmed, removal and mitigation should be done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of serious health problems, including lung cancer. Early detection and treatment are essential for the best possible outcome.
