Asbestos Testing Tips and Advice
Whenever products are discovered that could possibly contain asbestos it’s important to perform asbestos testing without delay. Most homeowners hire an asbestos abatement contractor to perform the asbestos test, but a homeowner can easily perform the test by using an asbestos testing kit found in most large home centers. However, when using an asbestos test kit safety rules must be carefully followed during the asbestos testing because asbestos exposure can cause asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.
The Process of Asbestos Testing
The process of asbestos testing involves taking samples of potential asbestos-containing products and then sending them to an asbestos testing lab for further analysis. The only way that the presence of asbestos can be verified is by examining the sample materials under a microscope. Asbestos fibers are microscopic in size and cannot be seen without magnification. If asbestos is verified as being present the next step is to come up with a plan that will eliminate all asbestos exposure risks. Most plans involve asbestos abatement of some sort, but not always.
There are three possible courses of action you can take whenever asbestos is discovered. The first option is to simply leave it alone. Whenever asbestos fibers become airborne, due to repairing, demolishing, disturbing, or decay of any asbestos-containing materials, they can become airborne. However, if there is no risk of fibers becoming airborne, there is no risk of inhaling the fibers. And asbestos is not a threat to a person’s health unless it is inhaled into the lungs. Therefore, if an asbestos-containing product remains undisturbed and in good condition, with no risk of releasing fibers into the air, there is no danger and the product can be left alone and undisturbed.
What Should You Do When Asbestos Testing Returns Positive?
The other two options you have available to you after asbestos testing has proven the existence of asbestos are asbestos removal or encasement. Asbestos removal means to completely remove and dispose of the asbestos products in question. Encasement, also referred to as encapsulation or sealing, involves the prevention of the escape of asbestos fibers into the air. There are several methods used to encase or encapsulate a product. In most cases they are either sealed by applying a liquid sealant to the product or enclosed inside of something such as a wall. For example, if a water pipe is covered with asbestos insulation and it is inside of a wall, it is effectively sealed in the wall with no risk of asbestos being released into the air. Another example is installing a new floor over existing asbestos floor tile. This will effectively seal the old asbestos flooring under the new flooring. With some products it’s best to spray on a sealant that will coat the product and prevent the release of asbestos fibers. Asbestos testing can tell you whether or not asbestos is present, while asbestos abatement is the process of dealing with the problem, either through asbestos removal or encapsulation.
If asbestos testing is delayed it can sometimes lead to asbestos poisoning, which can eventually cause asbestos exposure symptoms and cancer to develop. Symptoms of asbestos poisoning can take 20 or 30 years or more to appear after the initial exposure. Because of this, the cancer has a chance to advance and spread for many years before it is usually diagnosed, giving a poor prognosis for most asbestos cancer victims.
Asbestos testing is an important first step in avoiding exposure and the development of several types of deadly cancer. However, if you should ever be diagnosed with any asbestos related disease it is usually a good idea to contact an asbestos lawyer. Most people who develop asbestos diseases were exposed in the workplace. And many of these victims were exposed as a result of negligence on the part of someone. If this is the case you are entitled to asbestos compensation to help pay for expensive medical bills and loss of earning potential, as well as receiving money to provide security for the loved ones left behind. To get compensated for your injuries you can have your asbestos attorney file a claim on your behalf. An asbestos claim must be filed immediately after being diagnosed with mesothelioma or some other type of asbestos-caused disease, before the statute of limitations is up.
Inhaling tiny asbestos fibers can lead to serious health consequences and must be avoided when at all possible. If you suspect a product or material of containing this hazardous mineral it is vital that you perform asbestos testing immediately and then take swift action to eliminate any and all exposure threats if the test comes back positive. Avoiding exposure is not something anyone wants to deal with, which makes prevention a priority.