What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally-occurring minerals composed of flexible, soft fibres that are resistant to heat and chemical. There are 6 primary types of asbestos, namely, amosite, actinolite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, chrysotile and tremolite.Since asbestos is resistant to corrosion, heat and electricity, it used to be a popular additive to a variety of products and widely used in construction. Asbestos is also an effective insulator. But, exposure to asbestos is highly toxic. If asbestos dust is ingested or inhaled, the mineral fibres can get trapped in the body permanently. It can cause scarring, inflammation and genetic damage. Asbestos exposure also causes mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. This is why you need to let professionals conduct a survey of your residential or commercial site before you can go ahead with your refurbishment plans. If the site contains asbestos, it is important that asbestos is removed expertly and safely.
How do I know if I have asbestos in my office or home?
There might be asbestos in your home or office, especially in the shingles, ceiling or floor tiles, siding, garage roofs and so on. The only way to know if there is asbestos is to have professionals from an asbestos removal company survey your home or office. If you are planning a refurbishment or if suspect materials are damaged, you can reach out to Asbestos Removal Team Coldfield Ltd. Our technicians are highly trained, experienced and accredited professionals who will carry out the necessary tests.
What are the health risks from asbestos?
When asbestos is inhaled or ingested at large volumes, it can cause mesothelioma and asbestosis. The more asbestos is ingested, the bigger the risks of contracting cancer and other diseases.Typically, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. This is why you need to make sure that asbestos removal and disposal is handled only by professionals. If the fibres become airborne, they can end up getting inhaled and causing genetic damage.
Is it safe to collect asbestos sample and test it myself?
When asbestos is not touched or disturbed, it is relatively harmless. But, when asbestos is damaged, the fibres can become airborne and cause cancer of the lung and other illnesses. So, we do not recommend that you try to collect asbestos sample yourself. You should only trust an accredited and licensed professional. Our team of technicians are licensed asbestos removal specialists and they can help you in collecting asbestos sample and testing it. They will make sure that asbestos is collected safely
Why is it important to carry out a risk assessment before starting the process of asbestos removal?
Before starting the process of asbestos removal, a risk assessment must be carried out so that necessary precautions can be put in place. Asbestos risk assessments are conducted to control the risks associated with asbestos removal and making sure that a safe working environmentcan be created for the workers. Generally, asbestos risk assessment includes the volume of asbestos, the asbestos type that will be removed, the types of control that will be utilised to reduce asbestos exposure, information regarding where the asbestos waste will be managed and much more.
What type of materials is asbestos found in?
Asbestos is found in building materials and some of the common materials include cement pipes, window glazing, duct tape/paper, stucco, cement board, plaster wall joints, vinyl floor tile, pipe insulation and fittings, sink insulation, ceiling tiles and panels, poured flooring, textured coatings and paints, furnace insulation, fire blankets, asphalt flooring, HVAC duct insulation, toilet tanks, roofing shingles, vinyl wall coverings, packing materials, AIB (asbestos insulation board) and so on.These are only a few of the common building materials that might contain asbestos. You can consult our technicians for final recommendations.
Is a single exposure to asbestos dangerous to my health?
As we have mentioned, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. When asbestos is inhaled, most of it gets trapped within the mucus membranes of the throat and nose. But, when asbestos reaches the lungs, it becomes a danger to health. Mesothelioma and asbestosis are related to asbestos exposure.