Asbestos Testing and Its Significance
Before commencing a
renovation, it is recommended that you have your home tested for asbestos.
Asbestos-containing materials are almost guaranteed to be present in any
property constructed before 1980. Because of its widespread use in the
construction industry in the past, asbestos may be present in older homes.
Fibrous asbestos
has many potential applications. Since asbestos fibers are so minute, they pose a significant threat since they can be
breathed. Once these fibers enter the body, they can cause a wide variety of
health problems, including lung cancer. It has a rich history of application in
construction, having previously served as flooring, ceiling tiles, and
insulation. To sum up, if your property is older, you should assume that it has
asbestos somewhere.
But that shouldn't
cause any undue alarm on your part. The advantage of asbestos is that it does
not passively release its harmful properties into the environment. It is only
when asbestos fibers are airborne and enter the lungs that they can cause harm.
Asbestos fibers are harmful to the lungs and the rest of the body if they become
airborne, but if asbestos-containing materials aren't broken or otherwise
disturbed, those fibres won't get airborne. Asbestos testing South Wales can determine if a building material
in your home has asbestos, but it requires a representative sample to be taken.
This testing can be done by a professional, or you can do it yourself following
expert recommendations, but either way, you run the risk of disturbing a small
patch of asbestos-containing material, which is dangerous to your health.
If your property
was constructed before 1980 and you intend to make repairs or renovations, you
may wish to have the materials you intend to use tested for asbestos. If the
structure is old enough, many construction workers may treat it as though it
contains asbestos, so you may wish to proceed as though asbestos were present
without testing. However, asbestos testing might not be necessary if you have
no plans to alter the existing structure. It is safer to leave asbestos alone
until you know you will have to work with it, as doing so could lead to its
exposure and release into the air.
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