Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that is classed as a fibrous silicate mineral and it was used extensively in construction from the start of the Industrial Revolution right up until the mid 1970s, when we finally discovered the truth about this material. Due to the great heat resistant properties, asbestos was mixed with building materials to form compressed asbestos sheeting that was commonly used in kitchens and when this material is removed during a renovation, this sends tiny asbestos slivers into the air, which can easily be inhaled by a person.
Inflammation of the Lungs
When a person unknowingly inhales asbestos fragments, these can become attached to the lung tissue and the person would be totally unaware of this. Indeed, many years can pass before any outward signs develop and by that time, extensive damage can be done. Asbestosis is a form of lung disease that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos slivers which are so small, they are invisible to the naked eye.
Home Improvement Projects
There are still many thousands of homes and commercial buildings that contain asbestos, so much so that there is an entire industry dedicated to the detection and safe removal of asbestos. Fortunately, there are affordable asbestos removal services in Perth and surrounding areas and they can easily be located with a Google search. Let’s imagine that in your kitchen there are asbestos partitions and you began to disassemble the walls without giving it any thought; once the boarding is disturbed, tiny spores of asbestos become airborne and that is where the danger lies.
The Silent Killer
Over the years, asbestos has gained a reputation as being a silent killer, mainly due to the fact that there are no outward signs that anything is wrong and the asbestos can remain lodged in the lungs for years before you show any signs of a respiratory disease. It simply isn’t worth taking the chance and unless you are 100% sure that there is no asbestos in your home, you should call in a specialist company to test for the presence of this toxic material.
Testing for the Presence of Asbestos
The company that is authorised to remove asbestos is also capable of detecting its presence in any space and they do this by scraping a small sample of the suspect material and testing it there and then. If you get the all-clear, you can carry on with your renovation project without worrying any more about asbestos, but should it be found, the contractor can safely remove all traces.
