By now, you should know about the many dangers that asbestos exposure poses to your health. Although asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that’s only hazardous when it’s moved or disturbed, there are a lot of health risks and diseases that are associated with direct or indirect exposure.
This article will discuss the dangers of asbestos, why it’s no longer used in building materials, and why asbestos removal is important to maintain health and safety standards in your home and workplace.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was commonly used in building materials, mainly before 1980. Although its usage has dwindled significantly given the discovery of its many health risks, it wasn’t officially banned in Canada until 2018. When disturbed or moved, asbestos becomes airborne and breathing in the fibers is incredibly dangerous to your health.
Prolonged asbestos exposure has been linked to the following health issues and diseases:
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma
- Larynx or oropharynx cancer
- Scarring within your lung lining
- Pleural effusions
- Fertility and health issues for pregnant women
Certain occupations such as firefighting, fabric milling, building demolition, railway construction, and asbestos mining, to name a few, can put people at greater risk of high-level asbestos exposure. Workers in these environments have a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases than people who simply live in a house containing asbestos, despite the fact that they’re usually equipped with heavy-duty PPE. This is because these occupations typically involve moving or disturbing the asbestos in some way and some of it can be breathed in, which is the only time it poses a threat to your health.
Undisturbed asbestos isn’t necessarily dangerous to your health, however if building materials are exposed or disturbed, then it is necessary to remove any asbestos-containing substances.
How Do I Know If I Have Asbestos in My Home?
If your home was built pre-1980 and you haven’t done any renovations or remodelling, you can safely bet that it probably contains some level of asbestos. The most effective way to determine the asbestos content of your home is to have a sample of the building materials tested in a lab.
Why Is Asbestos Removal Important?
The most obvious reason to remove asbestos from your home is to preserve and protect the health and safety of yourself and your family. Asbestos poses a huge health and safety hazard, especially if it becomes airborne and is breathed in or gets into your eyes.
If you’re a smoker or have any underlying health issues that diminish your immune response, then the negative impact of asbestos on your health will be exacerbated.
Asbestos Testing and Removal in Mississauga
GTA Property Service Group Inc. is one of the leading asbestos abatement companies in the Greater Toronto Area. Our team of technicians and supervisors specialize in testing building material samples and identifying the presence of asbestos. We’re also fully qualified to perform thorough asbestos removal for commercial and residential properties. Contact us today to get a free service estimate!