According to the Environmental Protection Agency, undisturbed asbestos in your home shouldn’t present a problem. But if asbestos fibers are released into the air — by product use, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, or remodeling – it can present a health hazard.
That’s because breathing in asbestos particles can cause respiratory problems. One of the conditions associated with asbestos is mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the tissue lining the chest and abdominal cavity.
Unfortunately, you can’t usually tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it, unless it’s labeled.
The EPA recommends that if you’re in doubt, you should assume that the material does have asbestos and leave it alone.
But if you’re planning to remodel your home (which could disturb building materials) or if your home has damaged building material such as crumbling drywall or disintegrating insulation, you may want to bring in a trained and accredited asbestos professional.
The EPA says a trained asbestos professional should take samples for analysis, but homeowners should not take the samples themselves.
First of all, a professional knows what to look for. Also, sampling can be hazardous if the person doing it isn’t properly trained.
If you or a loved one have contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, contact Lopez McHugh for a free consultation.
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