Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once widely used in building materials. You generally cannot identify it by sight alone.
It was once used in many products because of its fire-resistant and insulation properties. However, it has been discovered that asbestos is a health hazard and can cause serious diseases, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. There are several ways to be exposed to asbestos, including working with the mineral directly, being near someone who is working with asbestos, or living in an environment where asbestos is present.
Types of asbestos
Asbestos includes several naturally occurring mineral types, including chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. It was used for heat resistance and insulation in a range of products.
How to identify asbestos
Asbestos may be present in older building materials, but appearance alone is not a reliable test. Leave suspect material undisturbed.
If material is damaged or will be disturbed during renovation, consult a trained and accredited asbestos professional. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends professional sampling rather than taking a sample yourself.
Do not touch, scrape, smell or disturb material to decide whether it contains asbestos. A qualified professional can determine whether testing is appropriate.
The type of asbestos material you are dealing with will also determine the way in which it is commonly found. Asbestos is most often found in older homes and buildings that were built before 1990.
Depending on the type of asbestos material you find, it is possible that other hazardous materials may be present in the home as well. If in doubt, don’t take any chances. Contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor as soon as possible.
