Asbestos Myths and Facts

Asbestos Myths and Facts

Asbestos was once a very popular building material due to its low cost and high durability. However, we now know that asbestos is a carcinogen, and exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health problems, including mesothelioma. In this post, we’ll dispel some myths about asbestos so that you can make informed decisions about what to do if you find asbestos in your commercial building.

3 Myths and Facts about Asbestos

Following is the detail of 3 asbestos myths and facts;

Myth #1: Asbestos is only dangerous when it’s airborne.

There are many myths about asbestos, but this is one of the most frequent. The truth is that even if asbestos fibers are not airborne, they can still be dangerous if they’re ingested or inhaled. For example, if you have asbestos-containing flooring tiles in your building, the fibers can become airborne when the tiles are disturbed (e.g., during renovations). Once the fibers are airborne, they can be inhaled by people in the area, which can lead to health problems. So even if asbestos-containing materials are not currently causing any problems in your building, it’s important to have them removed by a professional before they have a chance to become airborne.

Myth #2: Asbestos removal is a do-it-yourself job.

Another common myth about asbestos is that it’s easy to remove and you don’t need to hire a professional. This simply isn’t true. Asbestos removal is a highly technical job that requires special training and equipment. If you try to remove asbestos yourself, you could release more fibers into the air, which would put you and anyone else in the area at risk of exposure. So unless you’re a trained professional, we advise against trying to remove asbestos yourself.

Myth #3: All types of asbestos are equally dangerous.

There are six different types of asbestos, and some are more dangerous than others. The two most common types of asbestos are chrysotile (white asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos). Chrysotile is considered less dangerous than amosite because the fibers are shorter and less likely to become lodged in your lungs if inhaled. However, both types of asbestos can be dangerous if you’re exposed to them over an extended period, so it’s important to have any materials containing either type of asbestos removed from your building as soon as possible.

Conclusion:

Asbestos was once a very popular building material due to its low cost and high durability. However, we now know that exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health problems, including mesothelioma. If you think there may be asbestos in your Calgary commercial building, it’s important to have it removed by a trained professional as soon as possible. Trying to remove it yourself could make the situation worse by releasing more fibers into the air. So if you suspect there may be asbestos in your building, call a professional right away to have it removed safely and properly.

Originally posted 2022-10-22 09:52:00.