Having a home isn’t merely about its design or function. But we also have to make sure that it is free of anything that may cause poison or toxins that would risk the health of the family. Today, we have a guest post about what you need to know about asbestos.
Understanding Asbestos Inspection in Sydney
If you are planning a remodel on your home or commercial building, it is important to have an asbestos inspection in Sydney performed. This is especially true for your home or commercial building built before the mid 1970’s. If it was, it could very likely contain asbestos, which can be deadly.
What is Asbestos?
In the 1960’s and the early 1970’s, asbestos was used in roofing shingles, automotive parts, floor tiles, ceiling materials, textile products and cement compounds. Asbestos was used so often because it is very strong and durable. It cannot break down chemically and it is fire resistant. For years, it was considered a wonder material. Today, it is estimated that there are still over 30 million buildings that still contain asbestos.
Why is Asbestos So Dangerous?
By the late 1970’s, it was discovered that asbestos caused health problems. Today, we know truly how dangerous it is, and it is considered a human carcinogen. The fibers in asbestos are very small and can be inhaled easily. When the particles are inhaled, they can stick to the inside of the respiratory system and the inner portion of the lungs. Because asbestos does not break down, it cannot be expelled from the lungs. Over time, it can lead to a form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
Before it was determined that asbestos is so dangerous, hundreds of thousands of families and workers were exposed. Since then, many of these people have died as a result of cancer that asbestos causes. Because asbestos is so dangerous, it is important that you have a full asbestos inspection in Sydney performed before you do any work on your home or commercial building. It is necessary for the safety of your family or employees.
What Happens After the Inspection?
If your asbestos inspection comes back negative, you can go ahead with your construction without any delay. If it comes up positive, you would need to hire a professional in asbestos removal. This is not something that you can do on your own. If the asbestos is still intact, it is not as dangerous as if it is not.
Either way, it needs to be properly handled. During the removal, anyone who is not qualified to remove the asbestos should leave the premises until the job is done. Those working on the asbestos removal would need to wear protective gear. After the asbestos is removed, the area would be cleaned up using a Class H vacuum cleaner and the asbestos would be disposed of according to specific safety guidelines.
How to Find an Asbestos Inspector
If you are looking for an asbestos inspector who can determine if your building contains asbestos and can handle the removal, you should contact Site Clean. Their professional inspectors and asbestos removal teams have the knowledge and experience to determine where there is asbestos in the home and to remove it carefully. Before they begin, they would establish safe work areas. They would also monitor the air quality. In order to protect people outside, they will notify the neighbors and post a sign outside. After the job is done, the asbestos would be removed safely and you would receive a certificate stating that your structure is free from asbestos.
Asbestos is a very dangerous material. The form of cancer that it can cause is not treatable and is fatal. If you are planning to do a remodel on your home or business, you should have an asbestos performed first for the sake of yourself, your family, or your employees.
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