Asbestos Exposure in Homes

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Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It was commonly used in building materials until the 1970s because of its strength and insulating properties. Many older houses have asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) as part of their construction, such as roofing, flooring, and drywall. While asbestos was used in many consumer goods in the past, including paints and textiles, these products are now banned in most countries due to the health risks they pose.

If you think there may be asbestos in your home, don’t panic. It is important to understand how to recognize asbestos, where it is found, and how it can affect your health. Moreover, asbestos removal is much less complicated than most people think. An asbestos-remediation expert can safely remove the hazardous material from your property and make sure it poses no threat to your family's health.

If you discover asbestos-containing materials that aren’t damaged or disturbed, they are not likely to pose a health risk. However, if the materials are disturbed, such as during renovation work or maintenance work on your home, they may become friable, and damage may occur. Then it becomes important to preserve the integrity of these materials by warning others in the vicinity and limiting exposure to prevent any potential adverse health effects from asbestos fibres.

Asbestos Do's and Don'ts for the Homeowner

Do's

  • Asbestos-containing materials should be left undamaged unless they are in a location that may be subject to damage. If these materials are removed and disposed of, this should be done by trained asbestos removal contractors utilizing proper cleanup procedures and equipment.
  • Limit children's access to any materials that may contain asbestos until the material has been tested and remediated by a professional.
  • Proper asbestos removal and major repair should be done by trained, competent people. Workers and homeowners should work with a trained asbestos removal specialist to ensure the best possible results are obtained.

Dont's

  • Don't dust, sweep, drill, scrape, or vacuum in asbestos-containing materials. Particular care should be taken when cleaning ceilings, walls, and corners of the room.
  • Never use a power stripper on flooring that may contain asbestos. Don't use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring.

Asbestos Professionals: Who Are They and What Can They Do?

There are two main types of accredited asbestos professionals that can be hired to handle asbestos-containing material.

  1. Asbestos Inspectors – They assess conditions and take samples of suspected materials for testing to ensure that a home or building is safe for inhabitants. They advise about what corrections are needed to remove any asbestos content from the area.
  2. Asbestos Contractors- They provide services to remove and remediate asbestos materials. Asbestos Contractors are licensed, certified, and insured contractors that can provide high-quality asbestos removal services.

Federal law does not require persons who inspect, repair, or remove asbestos-containing materials in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited; however, some cities and provinces do require this. For safety, homeowners should ensure that asbestos removal professionals they hire to handle asbestos are trained and accredited.

If you suspect Asbestos contamination, call an expert for asbestos removal in Toronto and Greater Toronto Area now! Get it tested fast & accurately.