Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.

Because of its durability and heat resistance, asbestos was widely employed in a variety of goods until the 1970s, when researchers discovered the health dangers linked with asbestos exposure. Asbestos is now generally known as a carcinogen, and it can cause mesothelioma, a kind of lung cancer, if it is inhaled.

It is not unusual to find asbestos in homes, buildings, and schools built before 1980, more than 30 years after it was outlawed in new construction materials. While there is no such thing as a safe level of asbestos exposure, most experts believe that it isn’t dangerous until it’s disturbed, such as during demolition or flood damage. A qualified asbestos abatement crew will need to come in at that time to remove the dangerous items and conduct a contamination test.

Because of restrictions, product bans, and the availability of safer substitutes, the usage of asbestos has decreased. The general people, on the other hand, may still be exposed to asbestos through outdated products and materials. Asbestos-containing items may be disturbed during a restoration or demolition.

If building materials become old or damaged, homeowners and employees should call an asbestos abatement firm. Asbestos-containing items that are in excellent working order and have not been damaged are typically deemed safe. Homeowners should, however, keep an eye on these materials for signs of wear or other harm.