Asbestos-containing material doesn’t necessarily pose a health risk, as such materials become hazardous only when – due to damage, disturbance or deterioration over time – they release fibers into the air. Airborne asbestos fibers are dangerous because they can be inhaled through the nose and mouth and lodge in the lungs.
According to EPA estimates, between 3,300 and 12,000 people die each year from cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-containing material that is sprayed or troweled or that has become friable is of particular concern. As long as asbestos-containing material is intact, it does not pose any health hazard.
Asbestos Inspection – Asbestos Insulation Risks
Many houses have old boilers insulated with asbestos. This type of insulation looks like a white plaster coating over the boiler shell. When it is time to replace the boiler, the asbestos insulation must be removed first, even if it is in good condition, before disassembling the boiler. Most heating contractors are not certified in asbestos removal, however the job must be done by a qualified asbestos-removal contractor who has been trained and certified. After removal, the asbestos must be taken by a licenced industrial-waste hauler to a landfill that accepts asbestos.
On the other hand, removal of damaged or deteriorating asbestos materials is the least desirable alternative, because in the process it creates a considerable amount of airborne asbestos fibers that must be contained and removed. Depending on the condition of the asbestos material, it can be encapsulated by coating it with a sealant so that the fibers cannot be easily released. Another method is to enclose it in airtight walls or ceilings that completely isolate and contain any fibers that become airborne. The decision to remove, encapsulate or enclose deteriorating or damaged asbestos material, as well as the repair of damaged sections, must be made only by a trained and certified professional after a thorough asbestos inspection.
Most of the asbestos materials that had been used in construction are no longer manufactured, but many items can still be found in many homes built before 1978. Identifying the more common types of asbestos material can usually be done in a visual home inspection by certified home inspectors, or asbestos-abatement personnel.
Asbestos testing, however, requires special training and licensing, and can be performed only by asbestos professionals certified to perform and asbestos inspection or assessment. After having collected and analyzed samples, asbestos professionals will be able to determine whether the asbestos concentration in your home poses any risk of lung cancer or other health hazards.