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February 2019

Interior of a home being remodeled

Does My Home Contain Asbestos?

By Asbestos in the home, Asbestos InformationNo Comments

Asbestos exposure has become a hot topic over the last decade. As more people are being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, asbestos is being talked about more. People are beginning to become concerned about their family’s well-being. Asbestos has been used for centuries for numerous purposes. The main purpose was for construction materials. Asbestos is heat resistant, durable, and highly affordable. Asbestos became the perfect addition to construction materials. These materials were used to build houses for decades.

Was Your Home Built Before the 1990s?

If your home was built before the 90s, it likely has asbestos-containing materials. If you own an older home, you should consider an asbestos test. Asbestos was used in a numerous materials including:
• Flooring
• Tile
• Insulation
• Roofing
• Wire Coating
• Adhesives

Before you do any kind of remodel or renovation, have the home checked by a certified asbestos removal contractor. Asbestos fibers can easily be disturbed through a remodel and expose everyone inside the home.

Are Some of Your Construction Materials Breaking Apart?

If any of your home’s construction materials begun to need repairs, it is important to have the home inspected for asbestos. Once asbestos fibers are disturbed through wear and tear or remodeling, they will float through the air and attach to clothing and other items. Friable asbestos is the most dangerous, as it has been crumbled or deteriorated into fine dust. Asbestos fibers are easily ingested through the mouth or nose without your knowing. Older homes should have asbestos testing for the safety of everyone in the home! Asbestos exposure can cause severe respiratory issues, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and even death. Asbestos could be in your home, and the only way to remove it is through an asbestos abatement contractor. Proper licensing is required for asbestos testing and removal services.

February 27, 2019
Two welders in protective gear welding

Where Are People Commonly Exposed to Asbestos?

By Asbestos InformationNo Comments

Most people do not understand that asbestos is a part of our every day lives. Asbestos lurks in the air in trace amounts. However, it is also in places we commonly inhabit on a day to day basis. Asbestos was used in construction materials for decades and still used in small amounts. While older homes are more likely to contains asbestos, some newer homes have been known to as well. Some products that are known to contain asbestos are:
• Insulation
• Spray on Ceilings
• Flooring
• Tiles
• Roofing
• Adhesives
• Wire Coating

Above are the more common materials that are known to contain asbestos.

At Home

Older homes were built with asbestos-containing materials. This is especially true for homes built before the mid-80s. Your home could have asbestos in every room, and you would never know. Asbestos fibers are small and cannot be seen. Testing is required to find asbestos fibers. It is important that you have your home tested before any remodels or renovations.

At Work

A lot of construction workers, railroad, shipyard, and military have been diagnosed with asbestos exposure. While laws are now in place to help curb asbestos exposure, it can still happen. Not all companies abide by the laws and regulations, making it dangerous for workers. Workers who have been exposed to asbestos also carry it home on their clothing. This can expose everyone in the household to asbestos. If you work in a job that could cause asbestos exposure, make sure you are working safely.

At School

Most schools were built decades ago and renovated to look new. While this is a normal practice, it can cause asbestos exposure in schools. Laws are in place to ensure schools do not contain asbestos, but older schools are still going through asbestos abatement. Schools now must have strict plans in place to handle asbestos. These laws are put in place to protect children, faculty, and parents from asbestos exposure.


As you can see, asbestos is in places where we spend most of our time. It is important to be aware of the dangers of asbestos and to be knowledgeable about asbestos exposure.

February 20, 2019
Insulation inside a home

Ways to Protect Your Family from Asbestos Insulation!

By Asbestos in the home, Asbestos InformationNo Comments

Asbestos-containing materials like insulation are present in most houses built before 1980 and even in homes built after that time. Surprisingly, most people do not realize that there is asbestos inside their homes. With the recent influx of asbestos in the news, people are becoming more concerned than before. Asbestos Abatement Services has a lot of calls asking about asbestos in insulation. Below we will discuss ways to protect your family from asbestos exposure.

Asbestos in Insulation

Asbestos is commonly found in insulation, especially in older homes. However, some newer homes contain asbestos in construction materials. There are several options for checking your home if you are unsure of asbestos-containing materials. It is always safer to assume asbestos is in your home. By doing this, you are more cautious. Certified asbestos contractors provide asbestos testing for your home. This test is completed through a thorough inspection of your property. Samples are taken and checked at a lab to ensure correct results. If you do have asbestos on your property, you will need to have the asbestos removed as soon as possible.

How Can I Avoid Asbestos Exposure?

The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is through testing. However, there are other ways to help prevent exposure. It is important not to disturb your insulation. When remodeling it is easy to disturb areas that contain insulation. If disturbed, asbestos fibers can easily float throughout your home. You should never let children play in the attic; playing could disturb the asbestos. It is also crucial that you never remove insulation yourself. Hiring a trained asbestos removal specialist is important. They have the proper licenses, equipment, and respirators to remove asbestos from your home safely.

Asbestos can cause major health problems including cancer and even death. If your home has never been tested for asbestos, now is the time. Asbestos testing is affordable and can save your life. Be smart and hire a certified asbestos contractor.

February 15, 2019
Specimen of asbestos

Can Small Amounts of Asbestos Exposure be Safe?

By Asbestos Related Illness InfoNo Comments

The short answer is no. Any amount of asbestos exposure can cause extreme damage to your body. Asbestos Abatement Services will break it down and discuss asbestos exposure and the many dangers it causes. Asbestos fibers are not able to be seen; this makes it difficult to know if you have been exposed or not. However, any exposure to asbestos, even trace amounts, can cause respiratory problems and even cancer. Asbestos is highly hazardous to your health.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure can happen virtually anywhere, but most exposure happens through jobs and at home. Some occupations are more at risk than others. Construction, railroad, shipyards, and even military jobs are at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos will attach to clothing and be carried into homes, exposing everyone in the household. Asbestos exposure also happens frequently during home remodels or in older homes as asbestos-containing materials begin to break down from wear and tear.

What Happens If I become Exposed to Asbestos

Asbestos exposure can lead to serious medical conditions. Even one time of being exposed to asbestos can cause major health issues in the future. Asbestos stays dormant in your body for years and even decades, meaning you will not notice any signs or symptoms of asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses always start with respiratory problems, as asbestos fibers mainly attack the lungs and heart. Some of the more common illnesses caused by asbestos exposure are:
• Asbestosis
• Pleural Thickening
• Lung Cancer
• Pleural Plaques
• Mesothelioma
• Severe Respiratory Illnesses

If you think you have been exposed to asbestos, it is crucial that you see a doctor. The doctor will run tests and check for any problems that could show if you have been exposed. Medical advances have made it possible to live with asbestos-related illnesses. If you are suffering from a cough, trouble breathing, or other respiratory problems see your doctor as soon as possible.

February 7, 2019
Doctor writing on a notepad

Asbestos Exposure and the Accompanying Illnesses

By Asbestos Related Illness InfoNo Comments

Mesothelioma is the number one known illness caused by asbestos exposure. It is the illness that we see all over the media. However, many different illnesses stem from asbestos exposure. Asbestos Abatement Services has a list of illnesses and the symptoms that accompany them. Below we will go over each illness.

Benign Asbestos Pleural Effusions

Pleural Effusions caused by asbestos exposure is caused by fluid buildup in the parietal and visceral pleura. You begin to see symptoms of pleural effusions within a decade of asbestos exposure. If they are left untreated, they can turn into pleural thickening.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

Diffuse Pleural thickening is somewhat more severe than pleural effusions, as the visceral pleura thickens, it can cause restriction of lung capacity and lung use. The most common symptom is pleural thickening is shortness of breath.

Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques normally show no symptoms and are one of the more common illnesses of asbestos exposure. They are not cancerous but cause thickening in the lungs. Pleural plaques happen around 30 years after asbestos exposure. Pleural plaques are known to cause severe respiratory problems that can cause more severe illnesses.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. Lung tissue will scar and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath. Asbestosis is a very common illness from asbestos exposure.

The above illnesses usually have the same symptoms listed below:
• Swelling
• Coughing
• Respiratory Problems
• Trouble Breathing
• Tightening of Chest

While the above asbestos-related illnesses are not as severe as Mesothelioma or Lung cancer, they can still cause major health problems. If there is a chance you have been exposed to asbestos, see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have any of the above symptoms get checked out, as they can lead to more severe respiratory problems.

February 1, 2019
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