Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was used in many products from insulation to roofing. We know now that asbestos is extremely hazardous and can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. While asbestos inspections in Oakville has been common practice in recent years and the mineral is no longer used in most construction or consumer products, asbestos is still around in some products you may come into contact with in your home every day. That is why Inch By Inch Inspection offers home air quality testing in Oakville, to help keep you and your family safe!
Current Risks Of Asbestos
Although asbestos has been banned in Canada since the mid-1990s, it was a very common building material prior to its ban. It was used in many construction projects, but also was common in home construction.
This means that hundreds of thousands of buildings across Canada contain asbestos and pose a potential health risk to anyone spending a lot of time in those buildings. One of our most popular services is asbestos removal in Oakville for these exact reasons.
Understanding Asbestos
Asbestos can be found literally anywhere in a building. It is most dangerous when it becomes damaged and airborne, so it's important to take proper precautions and ensure your surroundings are safe. Many older homes have asbestos in the walls, flooring, ceiling tiles and even insulation in the walls. Asbestos can cause certain types of cancers including cancer of the lung and larynx if inhaled.
Though toxic and known to cause health issues, asbestos is still widely used in certain industries such as construction and home renovation. According to the EPA, there are three main types of asbestos: chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite. Out of all three, chrysotile is the only one that is currently legal to use in the United States. While this type is considered to be less harmful than crocidolite and amosite, no form of the mineral is safe to inhale.
There are many buildings from the 1930's and 1940's that contain asbestos insulation and roofing materials. In addition to homes, buildings such as offices and schools also have these products inside them. Asbestos fibers can easily be released into the air when these materials are disturbed by things like drilling, sanding or cutting. Home air quality testing in Oakville can help you understand the risk of exposure to asbestos for you and your family.
Indoor Air Quality Problems
There are two main types of indoor air quality problems that can be caused by asbestos: exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers and exposure to low levels of asbestos fibers over time.
Exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers can occur when people are working with products that contain asbestos or when there is an accident that releases large amounts of asbestos into the air (for example, a fire in a building that contains asbestos). People who have been exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos fibers may develop serious health problems within a few years. However, it usually takes 20-30 years for people who have been exposed to lower levels of airborne asbestos fibers (for example, from living in a home with Asbestos insulation) to develop health problems.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure can also cause other indoor air quality problems such as aggravation of pre-existing respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma), difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing. In addition, some people may experience eye irritation, nosebleeds, or severe headaches from being near areas where there is visible dust containing Asbestos fibers.
If you are concerned about your indoor air quality, contact Inch By Inch Inspections today to learn more about our air quality testing in Oakville and asbestos removal Oakville services.