Asbestos and its Harmful Effects on Human Health

Asbestos

Asbestos is found naturally in rock and the fibers are extracted and then mixed with other things, like concrete. Asbestos is "wonderful stuff" when you consider its properties. It is strong, flexible and resistant to heat, weather and most chemicals. Asbestos is so versatile and durable that it found its way into thousands of products and places between the 1940s and 1980s. More than 3,000 products contain asbestos, but most people just think of it as being in the garage roof, or in their ceiling tiles. The reality is it gets used in all sorts of things, like in concrete to make it stronger or in pipe lagging because of its insulation properties. We even used to coat car parts with it, and make fire blankets with it because it’s flame retardant. The scary part is much of it remains in public buildings and homes today.

 Asbestos Types

There are three types of Asbestos: brown, blue and white. Brown and blue asbestos are amphibole fibers, which means the fibers themselves are like needles. They’re resistant to everything, including water, fire, electricity and sound. For that reason they are mostly used in ceiling tiles, drywall textures, bath panels and have been sprayed on car parts. Both brown and blue asbestos were the first to be banned in many countries. White asbestos, Chrysotile, is best for weaving because its fibers are curly. That’s the fiber that’s used in concrete, what your garage roof is made of, you can find it hiding in your walls, and it makes up the vast majority of asbestos found today.

 

Exposure Concerns?

 

The most common result of asbestos exposure is a lung disease called mesothelioma. It attacks the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma). Once diagnosed, victims are generally given between six months and a year to live.

Asbestos Removal

If removal of materials that contain asbestos is the preferred option hiring a certified professional for asbestos removal South Wales to complete the work is the safest choice. If DIY is your only option work safe. For some materials building over top instead of disturbing by removal is a safer option. For other materials that require removal like damaged drywall texture test before you touch!