Asbestos is a word that you hear in conversations or news stories or even government health warnings, but how many of you Google the risks or the effects that it has or even how it can be identified?
The facts
“It’s a dangerous material” as far as we are told in various conversations or articles, but apart from the warning of the name do you really know anything about the once-popular building material and how it can possibly affect your own home life?
As you probably know, it is a banned substance but that does not mean it is not still occupying various aspects of your home; and it can still be very dangerous if disturbed in various renovations or demolition within the building. As asbestos was a strong and flexible material it was probably chosen to be used on your home’s construction long before you moved in, and potentially it has not been sampled or removed previously.
In looking into this material, a bit more, let’s provide a quick education for you on this natural product that still occupies many buildings around us today.
The history
Asbestos was used in many places from the construction of buildings through to fire protection. This was commonplace for thousands of years until people became more aware of the risks and dangers of asbestos, especially those in contaminated spaces which saw the use of the material drop significantly in popularity. As of today, the utilisation of asbestos in construction is classed as illegal and any non-domestic structure with asbestos being present is required to be surveyed, material analysed/tested and then the asbestos potentially removed by a professional asbestos removal company to prevent potential exposure, illness and death.
Encompassing various forms
The one important thing to understand is that asbestos is an umbrella term for a wide variety of minerals found below the earth’s surface.
There are many different forms of asbestos product that are present in different parts of a house or commercial premises, that include what are termed as white, brown or blue asbestos and sometimes a mixture of all three. Each of these different forms and others are highly hazardous and toxic should they be breathed in through the air. Therefore, asbestos testing is required, managed or removed by a professional in asbestos removal services.
Unknowingly victimized
People don’t tend to realise that they may not have been exposed to asbestos on one or more occasions but have been exposed to it continuously for years.
When it comes to continuous exposure, you are left open to the worst-case scenario for your health. Your lungs will have ingested a constant stream of asbestos fibres that can cause asbestosis. This can start with coughing symptoms, weight loss, lack of appetite and swelling around the upper head and neck area. If you experience these symptoms, then the urgent need to see a doctor can end up revealing the ultimate risks you have been exposed to.
To fully eliminate the risks of asbestos within your home, call on services specialising in asbestos removal South Manchester. Call on Grosvenor Asbestos Solutions before undertaking any household renovations as we can complete management or refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey Manchester.
