Not all asbestos-containing materials are dangerous, but ones that are can create serious health problems. It is therefore essential to know if materials in your home contain asbestos and if they do, how to remove them in the safest way possible. The only certain way to find out if your Toronto home has asbestos is to get asbestos testing. Asbestos microfibrils easily become airborne and create a risk of exposure, so performing the testing by yourself is a risk. Considering the great danger this material poses, DIY asbestos testing isn’t advised, so it is best to leave everything in the hands of an expert and reach out to a professional asbestos removal company in Toronto. The trained staff of Inch by Inch Inspections will gladly take on both small-scale and big-scale projects and provide optimal solutions according to your needs.
Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Undamaged and well-maintained asbestos-containing materials usually don’t present an immediate threat to health. However, if subjected to drilling, sanding, scraping, improper removal, or any other type of damage, they will release the harmful microfibrils into the surrounding air, creating a risk of exposure.
If the asbestos microfibrils are inhaled, they’ll end up in lung tissues, where they’ll create microscopic cuts. Chronic lung tissue damage leads to scarring that reduces lung capacity and changes the chest cavity lining. The scope of the damage varies, depending on the length and intensity of the exposure. Long-term exposure often results in severe respiratory diseases and different types of cancer, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The symptoms of exposure include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent cough and wheezing
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Swollen, “clubbed” fingers
It is important to note that exposure to asbestos microfibrils doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. It most often manifests after more than a decade. This, and the microscopic size of the fibrils, makes asbestos contamination hard to identify early, and the worst of all – symptoms occur after significant damage is already done.
Reasons To Perform Asbestos Testing in Toronto
Considering that early symptoms of exposure are not visible, just like the microfibrils, the best choice is to get asbestos testing in Toronto. Asbestos was widely used in construction before the 1990s, so it can hide in many places – insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, pipes, gaskets, textured paints, roofing, etc. The older the home is, the more likely it has problems with asbestos contamination, so owners of older homes are especially advised to have their property tested.
Due to the postponed symptoms of exposure and its tendency to fly under the radar, asbestos is known as “the hidden killer.” If there are any doubts about asbestos’ presence in your Toronto home, the best choice is to ask for the help of an asbestos removal expert that knows the correct safety procedures and can identify all potentially hazardous materials. This is especially important before planning renovation works or other activities that will disturb the asbestos-containing materials. Without prior testing, the workers, your family, and you will likely be exposed to harmful microfibrils – a risk that shouldn’t be taken.
Steps To Take When You Suspect Asbestos
If you doubt that some material contains asbestos, inspect it carefully and look for signs of damage. Do not scrape, grind or make any other kind of abrasion and avoid getting too close to the material to prevent inhaling the microscopic fibrils. If you see any whitish or grayish fibres sticking out from the material, chances are you have asbestos contamination to deal with. Try to isolate the area as much as possible to prevent the spread of fibrils.
However, signs of asbestos contamination are not always that clearly visible, and the most accurate way to determine the concentration of this hazardous material is to get professional testing. Certified inspectors are equipped with tools and knowledge to correctly identify all asbestos-containing materials and propose adequate measures for their removal or encapsulation. The trusted inspectors of Inch by Inch are always ready to provide quality service and make sure your property is safe and asbestos-free. Reach out to the experienced staff of Inch by Inch Inspections and schedule your asbestos testing today.