Asbestos Testing – Why Is It Needed?
Sunday, January 9th, 2011There have been hundreds of deaths due to asbestos poisoning.It is very much invincible and it is found in homes built during and before the 80s.It is commonly used in walls, ceiling and pipes until the latter years when researchers found out that asbestos, when inhaled, can cause death.Hence, in case you are buying a home, which was built in or before the 80s, it makes good sense to get a professional asbestos testing done.
Asbestos is a natural microscopic material which is white, has a fibrous appearance, and can be found in tiny amounts in the air.Inhaling these asbestos particles in a large amount can cause various diseases, including cancer.However, unless the asbestos breaks into pieces, the particles do not float in the air, and so if your home is not breaking apart, the asbestos will remain intact.Nevertheless, in case you are renovating the home, then getting the asbestos testing will help decide about how to renovate, without risking the breaking of asbestos.
To ensure that the fibers are not dispersed in the air, the asbestos testing needs to be done very carefully.The first thing that the tester will do is to wear protective gear like gloves, plastic coats and a mask.Then he will cover all areas and surfaces with plastic.The doors, windows and other air ventilation systems are shut down so that there is no movement of air so asbestos particles do not mix with air.Then he will use a machine to blow water mixed with detergent from the material to be taken.He will use a small knife and cut away a sample to test later on.This sample will then be put into a tightly sealed container.The tester repeats the same procedure for the different samples, and then brings them to the lab for further testing.If it is positive for asbestos, then you must hire experts to remove the asbestos from the house.
There are also special asbestos testing Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kits available for people who wish to do the testing themselves.This kit contains sample spatulas and containers that are said to be sterilized and you can order one from the internet.The problem with asbestos testing kits is that you still need to bring them to the testing laboratory (which is expensive); the containers are so small, and if you do it incorrectly chances are all the asbestos fibers will mix in with the air and enter your lungs.