Asbestos is a potentially deadly substance that is the leading cause of mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer. In the past, asbestos was commonly used in most households for insulation, ceiling tiles, and many other items. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that becomes dangerous when airborne. You can breathe in the microscopic particles, which then embed themselves in the inner lining of your lungs and create scar tissue and mesothelioma over several years and decades. If you think you have asbestos in your home, read on to learn more about what you can do next.

Consider the Source

Asbestos is not dangerous unless it degrades and creates dust that contains microscopic asbestos particles. Many products inside your home include asbestos, such as floor tiles, insulating wraps on hot water pipes, and the insulating wraps used on many water heaters. Automotive brake pads also commonly contain asbestos, as do many other commonly used products. As long as those products are in good condition, the asbestos in them is harmless.

Check the Age of Your Insulation

The most common source of asbestos exposure often is older insulation, which often contains asbestos due to its resistance to heat and ability to insulate homes. Homes built in the mid-20th century commonly used insulation that contained asbestos. According to ComfyLiving, about half of all homes in the United States were built before 1980. If your home is older, it might have asbestos in the insulation, which you could pay a crew to remove and replace with newer insulation that does not contain asbestos.

Seal Suspected Asbestos

If you suspect you might have insulation or other products in your home that contain insulation, a short-term solution is to seal off the suspected source. You could spray a mist of water on suspected insulation and other items to limit the dust that they might create. You also could use sheets of rolled plastic to seal off the suspected asbestos source while you wait for professionals to amend the issue.

Schedule Professional Asbestos Service

The best way to handle unwanted asbestos in your home is to hire a properly trained and equipped asbestos removal team. The team will have hazmat suits, respirators, and the equipment needed to contain and remove items that are likely to contain asbestos. The team also can dispose of the contaminated materials safely and permanently.

If you think you have asbestos in your home, call or visit us to learn more about asbestos mitigation and removal. Reach out to ASAP Environmental Inc to schedule services with us today.