Spotting Asbestos in Your Home at Christmas Christmas is fast approaching, and if you’re like most people, you’re making a to-do list of all the shopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating needed to complete in order
Spotting Asbestos in Your Home at Christmas
Christmas is fast approaching, and if you’re like most people, you’re making a to-do list of all the shopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating needed to complete in order to prepare for your holiday party. As you make your list and check it twice, make sure you add an asbestos inspection to it.
Preparing for a holiday party where there are children around should entail a thorough cleaning of your home – throwing out any materials leftover from renovations and repair projects, dusting and eliminating any mildew – to ensure that it’s a presentable and welcoming environment that won’t pose a health threat to you or your guests.
Any mesothelioma lawyer will tell you that not enough people are informed about asbestos and that inspecting for the hazardous substance should be incorporated into your daily household chores, as well as being an important subject to teach your children about. As you tidy up your place for the coming days, keep in mind the following information about asbestos.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a term used to define six different mineral fibers that are found in rock and soil. It’s unique fire and chemical resistant properties, strength and ability to absorb sound and low electrical conductivity made it a popular building material and insulation in many homes and buildings.
When disturbed, such as during home improvements projects and maintenance, or digging out thoses Christmas decorations from the attic, the substance can become exposed and cause children and adults who inhale it to develop lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Where Asbestos is Located
Although the use of the substance in the United Kingdom was banned in 1999, it still exists in many homes and properties. It can be found in roofing and shingles; attic and wall insulation; vinyl floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring; walls and floors around wood-burning stoves that are protected with paper, millboard or cement sheets; textured paints and ceilings like those with Artex coating; AIB window paneling; in oil and coal furnaces with insulation; and around hot water and steam pipes that are coated with asbestos containing materials. Be aware of this if you and your family live in an older house.
Identifying Asbestos
While actually seeing and identifying asbestos can be difficult, it is a good idea to assume that old materials that have been disturbed may be emitting the substance. For example, a burst pipe could lead to flooding and the destruction of sheet wall and ceilings, leaving asbestos fibers to circulate in the air.
While cleaning up after those Christmas parties, be on the lookout for any crumbling drywall, insulation that is falling apart or flooring that loose and broken. It’s also a good idea to teach your kids to do the same. Tell them the dangers of asbestos and to alert you if they find anything unusual about the house or any materials that could be carrying the substance.
Generally, asbestos-containing materials that are not disturbed are fine and should be left alone. If ever you are in doubt, treat materials as if they do contain asbestos and contract a professional, who can take samples of your home and have them analysed in the lab. If the substance is present, then a professional needs to remove it.
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