Asbestos exposure is a serious health risk that can lead to fatal diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. If you live in an older home, especially one built before 1980, there’s a high chance that asbestos-containing materials are present. Disturbing these materials, during renovations, repairs, or after a flood, can release harmful fibres into the air. If you suspect asbestos in your home, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Instead, hire a professional asbestos remediation company to ensure safe and effective removal. Proper asbestos abatement follows strict safety protocols to protect you and your family from long-term health consequences.
What Happens if You’re Exposed to Asbestos?
Asbestos was once widely used as a building material primarily due to its fire resistance. However, we have since discovered asbestos to be incredibly toxic to both people and pets. Touching or disturbing asbestos releases harmful fibres into the air, which can cause severe lung diseases. The risk of asbestos exposure increases when natural disasters damage homes, during remodelling, or as homes age. Even brief exposure to asbestos can lead to long-term health effects. This is why removing asbestos ASAP is so important.
As we mentioned in the introduction, asbestos exposure causes several common health issues. For example, asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that causes scarring and breathing difficulty. Others may have an increased risk for lung cancer or develop mesothelioma, which is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of your lungs.
Asbestos-related diseases often take years to develop, and many people don’t realize they were exposed until it’s too late. This is why homeowners should always have their homes inspected for asbestos before beginning renovations, demolition or repairs.
An Asbestos Remediation Company Will Help You Identify the Material
If your home was built before 1990, some of the materials likely contain asbestos. It’s important to note that the risk of asbestos presence in your home increases with the home’s age. To offer an example, homes built in 1990 or later have a much lower risk of containing asbestos. On the other hand, homes built between 1980 and 1990 have a moderate risk of containing asbestos. And, homes built before 1980 have a high risk of containing asbestos.
You should never assume that a material is asbestos-free. Manufacturers used asbestos in a wide range of products, and you cannot determine by looking at an item whether it contains asbestos. The only way to confirm asbestos presence is to examine the material using professional testing procedures. If you suspect asbestos, stop work immediately and call an expert.
You can commonly find asbestos in attic and wall insulation, textured ceilings, roof shingles, roof felts, vinyl flooring, drywall, heating ducts, pipe wraps, cement siding, stucco, and small appliances.
How is Abestos Removed Safely?
DIY asbestos removal is extremely dangerous and illegal in many places. British Columbia happens to be one of the locations where DIY removal will result in legal action. Only qualified professionals licensed through WorkSafeBC can remove the material.
The process of asbestos abatement begins by completing a thorough inspection of the home to determine where asbestos is present and what the risk levels are. Experts will then draft a plan that follows provincial and federal regulations for asbestos removal. When the abatement process begins, workers seal off the work area to prevent contamination and disable HVAC systems. Workers must wear extensive PPE like respirators with the appropriate rating, gloves, goggles, and disposable suits. Workers use specialized HEPA vacuums along with air filtration systems to prevent airborne exposure. After removing all asbestos material, they safely dispose of it in 6-millimetre plastic bags, sealing and labelling them. They then transport the bags to specific landfills to prevent environmental contamination.
Without proper training, homeowners risk exposure, legal penalties, and improper disposal fines.
SWIPE is Your Go-To Asbestos Remediation Company in BC!
Ignoring asbestos can have lifelong health consequences. Whether you’re dealing with a flood-damaged home, planning renovations, or ensuring compliance with workplace safety laws, trust experienced professionals to get the job done right. Protect your family, employees, and future by choosing safe asbestos removal today.
Contact SWIPE, your local asbestos remediation company now to schedule an inspection and ensure your environment is asbestos-free!