Thinking about how to get rid of asbestos in your home? You are not alone. Before it became widely known that this naturally occurring mineral was hazardous and a severe health threat, it was commonly used in construction to improve the physical properties of various materials. For this reason, many Toronto homeowners have asbestos problems at their property, and getting asbestos testing completed in Toronto is the best way to be 100% sure your home isn’t contaminated.
Although asbestos was banned in construction some time ago, many buildings and old homes still have it in insulation, walls and ceiling tiles. But why does asbestos need to be removed? Some asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) contain friable asbestos, which is highly susceptible to damage and prone to releasing dangerous microfibrils. Friable asbestos means it is easily crumbled, compressed or reduced to powder by hand pressure or abrasion. Breathing in the microscopic asbestos particles can result in the development of related diseases, which are difficult to treat and often have dire long-term consequences.
If you doubt that your Toronto home might be contaminated, it is best to contact an asbestos removal company in Toronto as soon as possible. Although you can attempt to remove the hazardous material yourself, this isn’t advised. Some ACMs can be very hard to identify without prior experience and training, and removing them thoroughly requires adequate safety measures and equipment. Not following safety precautions during asbestos removal imposes a serious risk to your health and the health of your family and can also make the problem far worse than it was initially. This is why professional help is always the best option when an asbestos inspection is in question.
Prevalence of Asbestos
Due to its cheapness and very favourable physical qualities, asbestos was the second most commonly used material in home construction before 1985. This naturally-occurring mineral is fireproof, light, easy to mine and process, and an excellent thermal and sound insulator. Aside from being used for insulation, roofing, floor and ceiling tiles, fireproof elements, adhesives, drywall joint compounds and lagging, it was also often mixed with cement to improve its physical qualities without increasing its weight.
When it became common knowledge that exposure to asbestos causes severe lung diseases and different types of cancer, the Canadian government banned its use in construction. However, this wasn’t very long ago, and many structures built during the asbestos era still occupy Canadian cities. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 1.3 million buildings in Canada still contain ACMs. The easiest way to learn if your Toronto home is one of them is to get asbestos testing.
Asbestos Exposure Risks
Knowing whether your home contains friable asbestos is very important. Damaged ACMs release asbestos microfibrils, which can become airborne with even the slightest movement of air. Although they are so tiny and light, they are pretty sharp. Inhaling them over more extended periods creates a risk of chronic lung tissue inflammation that can lead to scarring, reduced lung capacity, and asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma in severe cases. The problem with asbestos exposure is that its symptoms start to manifest usually after more than a decade when the damage is already done. Early detection is essential to prevent asbestos-related diseases, and reaching out to an expert will ensure thorough and accurate identification of all ACMs present at your property.
Call For Professional Asbestos Removal in Toronto
As asbestos exposure is highly harmful, any signs of the presence of ACMs should be taken seriously. This hazardous material can hide in many places and be challenging to detect, so it is best to reach out to someone who knows how to correctly identify and handle it. If you suspect that you have asbestos at your property, the best solution is to call a professional. Attempting to remove it with DIY methods, you risk exposing yourself and your family to this hazardous material. The price of ill asbestos abatement is far greater than hiring a professional. If you are searching for a trusted asbestos removal specialist in Toronto, reach out to the certified staff of Inch by Inch Inspections. Our experienced inspectors are always ready to provide quality service and make sure your home is safe. Contact Inch by Inch today and schedule your inspection.