Asbestos is a material formed from a combination of six mineral fibers. Until as recently as the late 1970s, asbestos was used as a durable material for commercial and industrial purposes. Asbestos was a popular building material because it is resistant to fire, chemicals, and heat, making it the perfect material for use in the construction industry. Although the uses differed based on purpose, asbestos was a popular material for home construction.
While asbestos was a popular building material for decades, it was banned because of its health effects on humans. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos particles are cancer-causing carcinogens. Asbestos exposure can lead to diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, etc., when you ingest or inhale asbestos particles.
Reasons To Test Your Home For Asbestos
Asbestos can be found in various places throughout your house or building. Listed below are several reasons why an asbestos test may be warranted in your home!
Construction Projects
Construction projects like bathroom or kitchen remodels, replacing flooring, walls, piping, etc., are easy ways to disturb asbestos, especially if you are doing it yourself. Because of this, it's essential to test your home for asbestos beforehand to ensure that you aren't exposing yourself and others who come into the home to its fibers. In other words, it is better to be safe than sorry!
Homes Built Before 1980
The use of asbestos in home construction was banned, for the most part, in the 1970s. However, according to studies, many homes built before then still contain asbestos today. If you live in an older home where asbestos has never been removed, there is a good chance that your home still contains the hazardous material today. Prior to the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in drywall, vinyl flooring, popcorn ceilings, plumbing fixtures, roofing materials, and more.
Damage to Your Home
Any disaster, whether natural or man-made, can cause asbestos fibers to be released into your home. Some of these disasters include fire, flooding, storm damage, and more. When the building materials in your home are disturbed by one of these events, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and put your family at risk!
Buying A New Home
Testing for asbestos should be a part of the requirement on your checklist to cross out when buying a new home. Testing for asbestos during the purchasing process will help you prevent the issue of battling asbestos later on down the line. Additionally, testing from the beginning can spare you a lot of headaches, renovation costs, and health issues.
Contact DCM Environmental Testing!
If you believe your home may contain asbestos, it's crucial to test for it as soon as possible. At DCM Environmental, we provide Massachusetts and the surrounding region with professional, unbiased testing for asbestos and other hazardous materials. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation! Call us at (617) 481-5782 or fill out the contact form on our website!
