5 Real Shocking Facts Of Asbestos Testing

The way asbestos silently affects your body and digs its microscopic hooks in your lungs is quite scary. This substance is most likely to kill you if it stays in your lungs for a long time. A lot of people have heard the name and the possible consequences of living with it but never know what it is and how it affects us. 

Here is a brief introduction to this deadly material and then follows 5 real shocking facts of asbestos testing you should know.

What Is Asbestos And How It Affects Us?

It is fibrous silicate material known for its heat resistant properties. Due to these properties, the materials are commonly found around a house. It can be present in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, insulation, cement siding, and many other building materials. 

So you may be living in a home with asbestos-containing materials without ever knowing it. The good news is it is not harmful unless it is disturbed and becomes a part of the air. Before every major renovation, hire certified professionals for asbestos testing in Berkeley CA.

When agitated, asbestos fibers can lodge themselves in your lungs and lead to serious diseases. Prolonged exposures cause fibrotic lung diseases. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are some of the deadly diseases caused by low-level exposure to asbestos.

5 Shocking Facts Of Asbestos Testing

It seems like a horror story but is only a real one. Here are 5 real shocking facts about asbestos and asbestos testing.

1. Asbestos Use Is Legal In USA

It might be a surprise for you but asbestos use is still legal in the USA. Although some uses of asbestos are banned, it continues to be a part of building materials. According to EPA "Asbestos-containing materials that aren’t damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk ."

2. EPA Requires Asbestos Testing Before Every Renovation

A lot of homeowners never get their homes tested for asbestos. The US EPA requires that an asbestos survey be conducted before any renovation or demolition to determine the presence of asbestos in the materials that are likely to be disturbed. It is also recommended to conduct both an asbestos inspection and air testing in older buildings. Over time the asbestos materials can deteriorate and lead to asbestos exposure. It is highly recommended to test the air after asbestos materials repair or removal.

3. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Is The Most Accurate Testing

Although Phase contrast microscopy (PCM) is generally used for asbestos testing due to its cost-effectiveness and speed, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is the most accurate testing technique.

4. There Is No Safe Level Of Exposure

According to EPA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Even a single exposure can put you at risk.

5. Asbestos Testing Is Inexpensive  

A lot of homeowners consider asbestos testing an additional expense when they are already managing renovation finances. Just like residential mold testing, asbestos testing is cheap and easily available. Better safe than sorry!