Asbestos: What It Is and What to Do About It

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Asbestos: What It Is and What to Do About It

For a long time, asbestos was a common construction material. It’s why many houses and buildings built before the 1980s contain asbestos. Yet, over time, we began to understand the dangers that this mineral poses to our health. Even so, just because you have asbestos in your home doesn’t always mean you have to get rid of it. Below is everything you need to know about asbestos:

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a type of mineral that occurs in the world naturally. It has soft, flexible fibers that make it an excellent insulator against heat and electricity. It is also resistant to corrosion. These qualities is what made it effective in construction projects, and why many people used asbestos when building their homes or offices.

Yet, the same qualities that made it so popular for construction purposes is also what makes asbestos so dangerous. Asbestos fibers can cause inflammation and genetic damage to exposed individuals, ultimately resulting in mesothelioma.

Types of asbestos

While all asbestos is dangerous, there is more than one type. Below are the six main types of asbestos recognized by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986:

  • Crocidolite
  • Tremolite
  • Actinolite
  • Amosite
  • Anthophyllite
  • Chrysotile

How do you remove asbestos?

While asbestos is a dangerous material, it is only dangerous when it’s disturbed. In other words, if asbestos-containing material is left undamaged and undisturbed, then its fibers won’t release into the atmosphere and will pose little to no health risk. If, on the other hand, those asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, then it’s highly recommended you remove it as soon as possible.

First, check for any signs of damage in your home or office. Then, if you suspect asbestos may have been released into the atmosphere, have an asbestos test performed on your property. If the test comes back positive, do not attempt to remove the asbestos yourself. This is a dangerous material and is best left to the professionals.

At Axiom Service Professionals, we can perform various asbestos related services to both find and eliminate asbestos in your home or business. Contact us today to learn more!