Did you know asbestos can kill you? It’s one of the most toxic substances there is. Sadly, it was also popular in the 19th and 20th centuries.
This means you’re more likely to find it in your home if it’s over 40 years old. So, what could this stuff be doing to you, and more, how can you get it out of your home?
Read on to find out why testing for asbestos is essential. This list includes 6 of the reasons why getting this stuff tested and removed is a top priority.
1. Determine the Extent of Asbestos Contamination
Testing for asbestos is essential for any building built before the 1980s. The risk of its diseases is still present even despite the ban on this material decades ago. It may be present in a wide variety of places, such as insulation, tiles, textured ceilings, and pipe cement.
Testing for asbestos will not only help you determine the extent of contamination in a building. It also keeps you, your family, and your workers safe and healthy. These includes:
- To identify any sources of asbestos present
- To perform corrective action if necessary
- To cut health risks associated with asbestos exposure
- To keep abreast of changing regulations about asbestos testing
- To reduce the potential for liability related to asbestos exposure
- Ensure that all safety precautions are in place and functioning to prevent exposure
Knowing the extent of the asbestos contamination can help you create an action plan for reducing exposure and preventing health risks.
2. Reduce Health Risks Associated With Asbestos Exposure
It’s confirmed that asbestos is a known human carcinogen. It is a substance that develops cancer.
A person may become exposed to asbestos at home, at work, or in the community. When asbestos-containing products get damaged, tiny asbestos fibers get released into the air. After it’s eaten, asbestos fibers can adhere to the lungs for a very long period.
These fibers can build up over time and result in scarring and inflammation, which can impair breathing and create major health issues. These health risks include the following:
Mesothelioma
A particular form of cancer known as mesothelioma appears in the lining that protects several of the body’s organs’ external surfaces. Although it can also damage the lining of the stomach, heart, or testicles, mesothelioma primarily affects the lining of the lungs.
Each year, mesothelioma is diagnosed in more than 2,700 persons in the UK. Men are more frequently affected than women, and the majority of cases are diagnosed in adults 75 years of age and older.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma cannot be cured, yet, treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Asbestosis
It is a long-term, chronic lung disease brought on by asbestos exposure. Some persons who inhale asbestos fibers may eventually develop lung scarring, which may cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Breathlessness
- Ongoing cough
- Wheezing
- Weariness (severe exhaustion)
- Pain in the chest
- Clubbed fingertips in more severe situations
Most persons with asbestosis today were exposed decades ago before there were reliable safeguards against occupational exposure to asbestos fibers.
3. Comply With Regulations and Guidelines
Testing for asbestos can help identify areas that need to be dealt with by regulations, and projects remain compliant even after completion. Local asbestos testing will identify any potential sources of asbestos, eliminating potential risk or danger.
Furthermore, testing is an essential part of the process to ensure that all areas containing asbestos are properly addressed and that the material is handled and disposed of in a safe manner.
Test results also provide assurance that regulatory compliance has been achieved and that all safety specifications have been met.
4. Ensure Safe Working Environments
Asbestos is a silent killer that typically does not go away and can linger in walls, floors, and other work environments. Testing for asbestos is essential for any repair or renovation that may put workers and customers at risk for long-term health issues. It can identify the presence and location of asbestos in the workplace.
It also helps employers meet legal obligations to keep their staff safe. This allows workers to be informed of any risk and take proper precautions to cut their risk of exposure.
Companies must ensure that the environments they provide are free from asbestos and that any used materials are checked for it before bringing them into the workplace.
It allows for timely intervention, cleaning, and removal of asbestos, reducing the risk of larger health problems down the line.
Lastly, testing helps employers focus on areas that need attention and allows employees peace of mind, knowing their workplace is free of asbestos.
5. Protect the Health of People Already Exposed to Asbestos
The colors of asbestos fibers include white, blue, brown, gray, and green. In the United States, chrysotile, or white fibers, are most frequently utilized.
Everyone has been exposed to asbestos to some extent. The air, water, and soil all contain trace amounts of asbestos. These concentrations, yet, are not high enough to cause illness in people.
Testing for it is really crucial, especially in saving lives. The risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease is higher among those who have had direct contact with asbestos.
Depending on how asbestos has affected your lungs, the treatment for an asbestos-related disease will vary. There isn’t a single, universal course of treatment. For instance, the fluid around your lungs, known as a pleural effusion, may need to be drained. Additional therapies comprise:
Oxygen Treatment
Oxygen treatment is an important way to protect the health of people already exposed to asbestos. This type of treatment works by supplying oxygen directly to the lungs and tissue of a patient who has been exposed to asbestos. This helps to reduce inflammation in the lungs and helps improve respiratory functioning.
In addition, oxygen treatments may be used to help reduce the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.
The cost of oxygen treatment varies, but it is a safe and effective way to help reduce the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases for those already exposed to this dangerous material.
Chemotherapy, Radiation, or Surgery
Protecting the health of people already exposed to asbestos is a major healthcare priority. This includes protecting them from the damaging effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery which can be a necessary, but still damaging, part of a treatment plan.
Studies have found that chemotherapy and radiation, in particular, can result in further weakening and damage of the lungs from continued asbestos exposure. Therefore, it is important to limit patients’ exposure to asbestos.
It is also important to try to limit the duration of any treatments, and track for any signs of asbestos lung damage. In certain cases, it may also be possible to improve lung health by taking certain nutritional supplements.
Surgery may be necessary to remove some asbestos-related abnormalities, however, it is important to limit any time under anesthesia, as this could further weaken the lungs.
Following medical treatments, it is also important to be mindful of any possible side effects or complications and to be proactive in managing any secondary symptoms.
6. Be Aware of Any Current or Future Asbestos Risks
Testing for asbestos is essential in order to properly assess any potential risk. It is not possible to detect asbestos with the naked eye, meaning it must be tested. Testing for asbestos helps identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACM) on a property, helping to determine the potential risks a person may be exposed to.
Any materials which are known to contain asbestos should be sampled and tested before any work is carried out to avoid any unintentional release of asbestos fibers. This can be especially important, as asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems when inhaled.
It is therefore important to be aware of any current or future asbestos risks, as this will help to ensure any associated risks are minimized.
The only way to definitively tell if a material contains asbestos is by laboratory analysis. It is important for commercial and homeowners alike to be aware of any materials that may contain asbestos to understand any associated risks.
Testing for asbestos is the only way to be sure and it is necessary in order to ensure the safety of those who may be exposed to this hazardous material.
Find Qualified Cost-Benefit Testing for Asbestos Today!
Overall, testing for asbestos ensures that environments are safe and free from toxic particles which can cause severe health conditions. Testing is essential to verify that no asbestos is present, and it should be a priority for any property owner or tenant.
If you think your property may contain asbestos, contact a qualified professional today to arrange for testing and removal.
Stay tuned and keep reading our other blogs to learn more about wellness and health recommendations.
