Asbestos is an environmental hazard that can lead to serious health issues, including lung disease and cancer. It is also a costly and time-consuming problem to deal with.
The best way to know if you have asbestos in your home or business is to hire an inspector trained to conduct asbestos inspections and tests. This person will be able to take a sample of the suspected material and determine if it is damaged or in need of corrections.
You may wish to have an asbestos inspection done if you are planning a renovation or demolition project on your property. These types of projects can involve removing and replacing old materials, such as flooring or wallboard. If asbestos is present in the building, a professional inspection will ensure that it is not disturbed and will help limit any abatement costs.
Asbestos inspection is a necessary part of any construction project that involves removing or remodeling a facility that was built or renovated within the past 10 years. In most cases, this includes any building that is part of an apartment complex, an office building, a school or other commercial building, an airport, military base, or other type of installation involving a substantial number of living units.
During an inspection, the asbestos professional will be looking for any signs of damage to the material, such as peeling or crumbling. They will also be checking for fibers in the area of any disturbance.
A sample of suspected asbestos needs to be taken to an accredited laboratory that uses special procedures and is certified to test for this hazard. These tests can be expensive and can be done only by professionals that are licensed to handle asbestos.
If an AHERA inspector finds evidence of asbestos, he will recommend corrective measures that can be done to avoid future exposure and possible illness. Those corrective measures may include sealing (encapsulation), covering, or repairing the affected material.
Sealing and covering can be used to bind asbestos fibers together or to cover them so they are not released when the material is disturbed. Insulation on furnaces and boilers, for example, can be sealed or covered to prevent release of fibers.
In most cases, these repairs will be cheaper than removal and can be done by a qualified asbestos contractor. However, they may make the asbestos material more difficult and costly to remove if needed in the future.
Taking a Sample
If you have a suspect piece of asbestos material in your home or business, it can be analyzed for the presence of asbestos fibers using a special type of sample collection device. These devices are usually small and resemble a magnifying glass.
When taking the sample, be sure to wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after the sampling process. Wet the area where the sample is to be taken with a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent. This will reduce the amount of fibers that are released during the sampling process.