Asbestos is a fire-resistant mineral that can be dangerous when disturbed, releasing fibers that are harmful to inhale. Testing for asbestos is recommended before buying or renovating an older building. Professionals can identify asbestos, but only lab tests can confirm its presence. If asbestos is found, specially trained contractors must remove it safely and legally.
To test for asbestos, people typically take a small sample of the material they think contains the substance. The sample is sent to a laboratory, which uses highly sensitive equipment to detect asbestos fibers. Because asbestos can be very dangerous, many safety organizations recommend that people hire professionals to take samples for testing. In a situation where testing is required, a professional is also familiar with the documents and procedures required to make the test legal.
Asbestos is a type of fibrous mineral that is very resistant to fire. It was used extensively in construction until the late 1980s when it started to be recognized as a health risk. In its inert form, asbestos is harmless, but when a product containing asbestos is disturbed, it can release small fibers that are extremely dangerous to inhale. Asbestos can be found in insulation, flooring, pipe sheathing, and other products with higher strength. A test can reveal very low levels of asbestos fibers that may still be dangerous.
People should always get asbestos tested when they are considering buying an older home or other structure. In some regions, such testing is mandatory for vendors, and testing records are open to interested individuals. Asbestos testing should also be done before renovating an older building, or if things like floor tiles and insulation are obviously exposed and damaged.
A quick, though not always accurate, test for asbestos is to have a professional familiar with the substance visit the site. Plumbers and electricians often interact regularly with asbestos and can identify substances that may contain it. However, the only way to truly verify this is to send a sample to a lab. Some companies sell asbestos test kits for consumers to collect their own samples, but people who choose to do so must be extremely careful and wear face protection when taking the sample.
If an asbestos test confirms the presence of asbestos, the building owner may be required to use specially trained contractors to remove the material. These contractors are familiar with the procedures for handling asbestos and can ensure that it is disposed of safely and legally once removed. While this can be expensive, handling asbestos properly is both environmentally responsible and required by law. Furthermore, it can protect the health of anyone who uses the structure in question.
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