|
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks, of naturally
occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into
fibers. There are several kinds of asbestos fibers,
all of which are fire resistant and not easily destroyed
or degraded by natural processes. The fibers are strong,
durable, and resistant to heat and fire. They are also
long, thin and flexible, so that they can even be woven
into cloth, because of these qualities, asbestos has
been used in thousands of consumer, industrial, maritime,
automotive, scientific and building products.
The above photo shows a typical
asbestos
insulated heating pipe found in older homes.
During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons
of asbestos have been used in industrial sites, homes,
schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in the United
States. There are several types of asbestos fibers,
of which three have been used for commercial applications:
(1) Chrysotile, or white asbestos, comes mainly from
Canada, and has been very widely used in the US. It
is white-gray in color and found in serpentine rock.
(2) Amosite, or brown asbestos, comes from southern
Africa. (3) Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, comes from
southern Africa and Australia.
Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos has been shown to cause cancer of the lung
and stomach according to studies of workers and others
exposed to asbestos. There is no level of exposure to
asbestos fibers that experts can assure is completely
safe. Some asbestos materials can break into small fibers
which can float in the air and these fibers can be inhaled.
The tiny fibers are so small they can not be seen with
the naked eye. They can pass through the filters of
normal vacuum cleaners and get back into the air. Once
inhaled, asbestos fibers can become lodged in tissue
for a long time. After many years cancer or mesothelioma
can develop.
Are All products With Asbestos A Health Risk?
No. A health risk exists only when asbestos fibers are
released from the material or product. Soft, easily
crumbled asbestos containing material has the greatest
potential for asbestos release and therefore has the
greatest potential to create health risks.
Do All People Exposed To Asbestos, Develop Asbestos
Related Disease?
No. Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos
do not develop any related health problems. Health studies
of asbestos workers and others, however, show that the
chances of developing some serious illnesses, included
lung cancer, are greater after exposure to asbestos.
What Are Asbestos-Containing Products?
What is common to many asbestos-containing products
is that they were (are) used to contain heat (i.e. thermal
insulation.) This was the main reason for their use.
It is impossible to list all of the products that have,
at one time or another, contained asbestos. One of the
most common products asbestos is found in, is in the
insulation material found on heating pipes and ducts
of homes built before 1960.
Some of the other common asbestos-containing products
are insulating cement, insulating block, asbestos cloth,
gaskets, packing materials, thermal seals, refractory
and boiler insulation materials, transite board, asbestos
cement pipe, fireproofing spray, joint compound, vinyl
floor tile, ceiling tile, mastics, adhesives, coatings,
acoustical textures, duct & pipe insulation for
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems,
roofing products, insulated electrical wire and panels,
and brake and clutch assemblies.
How Can I tell If I Have Asbestos In My Home?
 People
who have frequently worked with asbestos (such as plumbers,
building contractors or heating contractors) often are
able to make a reasonable judgment about whether or
not a material contains asbestos on a visual inspection.
Many professional home inspectors also can make a reasonable
visual judgment. To be absolutely certain, an industrial
hygienist would have to make the identification.
If Asbestos Is Found In My Home, What Should I Do?
In most cases, asbestos containing materials are best
left alone.
When it is necessary to disturb asbestos, you should
contact a licensed asbestos contractor. You can also
obtain a copy of Asbestos in the Home published by the
U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (800-638-2772)
which discusses the situation and makes recommendations.
Remember, do not dust, sweep, or vacuum particles suspected
of containing asbestos fibers.
Schedule
Your Inspection Online
If you want "Peace Of Mind"
for your next home purchase, plus lots of extra value,
then give Tiger Home & Building Inspection a call
Today to schedule your inspection!
Call
Right Now: 866-844-3726
Tiger Home & Building Inspections
offers you the benefits, experience, flexibility, and
efficiency that only a company of specialists can provide.
Our company-wide focus on personal attention, however,
makes you feel like you are the only client we have!
We provide home inspection services
to the Front Range, Mountains and Western Slope of Colorado
and all the areas in between.
|
