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Monday, February 01, 2010
Asbestos and Sick Building Syndrome
There are all sorts of different things that can contribute to what is known as sick building syndrome (SBS) and one of them is asbestos. Basically asbestos is a natural occurring materials that has been used for many years for it's heat resistant qualities. As a result, asbestos can be found in all sorts of products such as flooring tiles, pipe insulation, ceiling tiles and cement pipes. If you inhale asbestos the fibers can embed in your lungs over time and has caused many different illness such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
The problem with asbestos is actually being able to tell whether you have it or not as there won't be and kind of identification label on it. However if you have an older house which was built somewhere between 1930 and 1970, there is an increased chance of having asbestos.
For those of you who are really concerned about asbestos then you need to get a specialist in who has a better understanding of these things. Contact the asbestos removal contractors association if you aren't sure where to find a company in your area.
Don't ever try to take samples of asbestos yourself as this should only ever been done by a professional. If you start messing about with the material in question, you might allow spores to be released and this isn't a good thing to happen at all. You should take note that although asbestos is dangerous, if it is allowed to sit there in good condition it shouldn't cause a problem. It's only when it becomes damaged that there are possible problems with it.
If you are planning on doing a major remodeling of your home then you will more than likely require a specialist to come in and remove the asbestos. Disposal of asbestos can end up being pretty expensive due to the specialist nature of the work. However knowing that it has been removed from your home can offer you a lot of peace of mind. Please don't get unduly worried about the thought of asbestos in your home. Just stay calm and allow the professionals to do their job.