Have you ever seen what asbestos looks like? What is its color? What is its shape? Do materials with asbestos have a kind of texture or pattern? Sadly, identifying asbestos is not that easy. One can’t positively say that a material contains asbestos with just the naked eye. One can’t tell by its texture either (and besides, handling it carelessly is not advisable). The good news is that nowadays, most materials that contain it will have a label. However, asbestos containing materials produced before the 1980’s will not have a label.
If you think that an item or a material might contain some asbestos, you should have it tested out as soon as possible. If you are not yet sure if something does or does not have asbestos, you should treat it as if it does have asbestos. Have a qualified professional take a look at it.
Taking Samples
You might be tempted to get the sample yourself. Don’t. You are in danger of disturbing the material. If the material is something like wall insulation, taking a sample might just cause further problems. Intact building materials that contain asbestos pose less health risks compared to materials that are exposed or tampered with. What you want to avoid is letting it release dust or fibers into the air. The cumulative inhalation of such contaminated particles is what leads to lung diseases and cancer.
Go Directly to a Professional
If you think that a part of your house needs to be tested you should do some research first and you may even find some information on how to test for asbestos. There are also a lot of DIY kits for taking samples. But be warned, there are great risks involved. Sending samples to an asbestos testing lab is not as easy as it sounds. Contact a professional instead. They have the experience and the know-how to safely take samples from your wall, ceiling or whatever part of your house. Also, a professional will know where to look and what to look for.
Dealing with the Problem
Any suspect material that seems to be in good state should not be tampered with. If the material you are going to undergo some remodeling then you should get in contact with a trusted professional as soon as possible. You can also deal with the problem right away so that you won’t be exposed especially if the material is already damaged, weathered, or exposed. Isolate it by either covering it with a wrap or a good sealant.
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