Protect Your Family From Asbestos
Water damage in the home can breed a variety of health-risks. Mold, of course, is a highly likely probability in the vent of a flood, for example. However, there is more to fear than just mold. The probability of asbestos in the home is much higher after a flood, which is significantly more dangerous than mold.
It goes without saying that finding the right professional water damage restoration expert after such an event in crucial. There are many problems that can stem from the discovery of exposed asbestos in a home.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural silicate mineral, a series of thin fibrous crystals that are typically blue in colour. The use of asbestos as a material is not a new idea, and its’ use dates back almost 4,500 years ago. Some uses for asbestos included vinyl floor tiles, roofing, plaster, drywall, panels, and texture coats. Asbestos was a popular building material in the 50’s up until the 90’s, before it was found to be highly dangerous to human health. It was used widely because of its’ powerful insulating properties and fire protection abilities.
Because of this, houses made before 1990 are very likely to contain asbestos. Do not fret! If the material with asbestos in your home is in good, stable condition, there is little to no threat in harm. However, water-damaged products put you at risk for asbestos poisoning.
Risks of Asbestos Contact
If there is a risk of asbestos exposure through inhalation, action needs to be taken immediately. Exposure to asbestos is dangerous being the fibres in the material are almost indestructible and are immune to heat and chemicals. The fibres get trapped in the lungs and remain there, which causes inflammation and scarring. The extreme durability of asbestos is the reason it became popular as a building tool, but because of the ignorance to its health effects, it is now common in households.
Because it is a carcinogen, the risk of lung cancer is increased to those who have been exposed to asbestos. You are also at risk for asbestosis, a condition in the lungs that could cause coughing, shortness of breath, and permanent lung damage.
It is clear that staying away from the potential of asbestos exposure is important, so why put you and your family at risk? If you fear the possibility of asbestos in your home after water damage, immediately seek the help of a water-restoration expert, like us at Steamatic! It is also important to note that asbestos is hard to identify off sight alone, and having a professional make sure of it’s presence or absence is crucial. Acting diligently and be informed to keep you and your family safe from asbestos poisoning and other negative side affects.
