What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a construction material that was widely used many decades ago. It was once considered a “miracle material” because of its effectiveness as a fireproofing and insulating agent, and range of applications. Not to mention, it’s incredibly cheap as well!
Aside from construction, it was also used in other industries like automotive, ship and aircraft making, HVAC systems, and more.
Asbestos was mined and used in Australia as early as the 1940s until its total ban in December 2003.
Why was asbestos banned in Australia?
Around the 1980s, asbestos was recognized as a hazardous material because of several findings that significant asbestos exposure can cause several lung-related diseases later in life. That’s why its usage of it was reduced.
By the 90s, asbestos and other asbestos products were already regulated. And by December 2003. The Australian government imposed a total ban on the material. That includes mining, distribution, importing, and exporting of asbestos-containing materials.
Is asbestos banned all over the world?
Asbestos is banned in several other western countries like Italy, Germany and France.
Unfortunately, there are still countries like the USA, India and China that allow the usage of asbestos. Also, This hazardous material is still being mined and processed in Russia and Kazakhstan.
What happens if you breathe asbestos?
It’s no secret that asbestos exposure can cause several health problems. The worst part is that these diseases will only appear only decades after the exposure.
If you got exposed to asbestos, don’t think immediately that your days are already numbered. Because the risk of developing an asbestos disease will depend on how much asbestos you’ve inhaled or how frequent were you exposed to the material.
For example, an asbestos worker has a higher risk of suffering from lung diseases compared to someone who accidentally inhaled asbestos once.
But this is not to say that the latter will not develop diseases at all. It also depends on how much asbestos dust was inhaled.
Anyone who has inhaled a significant amount of asbestos fibres and was exposed to it frequently can develop these diseases later in life:
Mesothelioma
This is a rare type of lung cancer that occurs in the mesothelial issues, hence the name. These tissues serve as linings of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and other parts of the body.
Some of the symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Non-stop coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite and energy
- Excessive sweating and more
Asbestosis
This disease is characterised by the scarring of the lungs that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Below are only some of its known symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent dry cough
- Chest pains and tightness
- Fatigue and more
Other diseases you can get from getting exposed to asbestos:
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Laryngeal cancer and more
Asbestos is certainly no joke. That’s why you should take it seriously. If you live in a house that was built before 2004, ask your landlord or the former owner of the house if it has asbestos in it.
If neither of them is sure about the asbestos presence in your home, you might need to look for an asbestos inspection in Melbourne and get your home tested for asbestos.
When should you remove asbestos from your house?
In most cases, the removal of asbestos is the last option since it’s a very laborious and expensive process. As long as the asbestos-containing materials are not disturbed, everything should be fine. Except during natural disasters, of course.
However, there are times when the extraction of asbestos is a must.
If you have plans of renovating your house, the last thing that you want to do is to remove the asbestos-containing materials yourself. Just leave it to the pros.
Demolition projects are another situation where asbestos removal is necessary. Before any property is torn down, the ACMs must be removed first to prevent the contamination of the material in the nearby areas.
Why hire professionals for asbestos removal in your home?
Aside from the expertise and experience that the professionals have, they also have the proper equipment to protect themselves from getting exposed.
For those residing in Tucson, ensuring the safety of your home or business is paramount, and this is where Tucson Asbestos Testing and Inspection comes into play. With their specialized expertise, you can trust them to comprehensively assess the presence of asbestos within your environment. The process encompasses a thorough identification of materials containing asbestos, followed by precise sampling techniques. These samples are then subjected to meticulous analysis to determine the extent of asbestos presence. Finally, the findings are compiled into a detailed report, offering you a comprehensive overview of potential risks. Tucson Asbestos Testing and Inspection’s commitment to safeguarding your space ensures that you can make informed decisions while prioritizing the well-being of those who inhabit it.
They can execute the removal process more quickly and more accurate than amateur homeowners. Not to mention, they’ll also handle the proper disposal of the material as well!
