It is no secret that asbestos is very dangerous. The smaller your house, the more dangerous because there is no way to get away from the danger. You need to know how asbestos affects human health and what you can do to remedy the problem is asbestos is present. Things like kits to test for asbestos and learning about the proper removal methods are important to keep you and your family safe from the dangers. You also want to understand how the size of your home impacts the dangers of asbestos.
Looking at the Health Dangers of Asbestos
If you are regularly exposed to asbestos, the negative effects are cumulative on your health. There are some very serious health problems that can result from long-term exposure to asbestos, including the following:
- Lung cancer can occur as a result of exposure to asbestos.
- Asbestosis is a condition where the lungs become inflamed. This can cause coughing and breathing difficulties in the more acute stages. In the later stages, lung scarring can make breathing permanently difficult.
- Mesothelioma affects the lungs, chest cavity and abdomen, and it is a type of cancer.
- Other types of cancer that have been linked to asbestos exposure include kidney, gallbladder, brain, gastrointestinal tract, bladder, throat and voice box cancer.
- There is a risk for pleural effusion and pleural plaques, both of which affect the lungs.
Testing for Asbestos in Your Home
If you suspect asbestos in your home, it is critical that you take the time to test for it. There are at-home testing kits that you can use to determine if asbestos is present so that you can take the necessary steps to alleviate the hazard. If asbestos is present, you may have to leave your home until it can be removed. A professional will need to come in and take care of the problem so that you can be sure that it is done right. Since asbestos can cause significant health problems, everyone should take the time to test for it in their home.
Home Size and Asbestos Danger
If you have a small home, the risks of asbestos are greater because the asbestos will be more concentrated in a small space. If you live in a small home, test for asbestos and check all building materials to determine if they are things that regularly include this. If you are planning on moving into a small home, have asbestos testing done before you even move in so that it can be taken care of before it has the chance to negatively affect the health of any humans or animals who will live in the home.
As you can see, asbestos is a major threat to the lives of people and their pets. It is important that you know whether or not you are living with asbestos and a testing kit is the easiest way to do this. If there is asbestos present, have it professionally removed immediately.
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Asbestos: The Unseen Danger Around You Credit Picture License: Carol Browne via photopin cc
