Five Asbestos Removal Myths And Truths
Asbestos is a known carcinogen. But, despite all the information available about its dangers, there are still a lot of misconceptions floating around out there. Here are five of the most common myths and misconceptions you may have heard about asbestos removal over the years:
Asbestos Removal Myth 1: Asbestos isn't dangerous unless you're a construction worker.
False! While construction workers and others in the trades do face higher risks of falling ill from exposure to asbestos, anyone can be at risk, including those who work in older buildings or those who live in older homes. Asbestos can be found in any number of different types of buildings, including schools, churches and military bases—even hospitals. And it's not just commercial buildings; many homes built before 1980 also have asbestos-containing materials, such as vermiculite insulation.
Asbestos Removal Myth 2: If you can't see or smell it, it's not dangerous.
False! Just because you can't see or smell asbestos doesn't mean it's not there or that it's safe to be around. You should only trust professionals trained to safely remove and dispose of the material if you suspect you may be living with asbestos.
Asbestos Removal Myth 3: Asbestos won't affect the young and healthy.
The trouble with this myth is that it's not really true.
Asbestos exposure doesn't just make people sick right away—it can potentially take decades for someone to develop symptoms. And once you do have those symptoms, it's usually too late for the treatments to be effective.
It's important to know whether your home contains asbestos, but it's especially important for homeowners who are older, who smoke cigarettes or who have compromised immune systems. If you're a young person who's looking to purchase a home and you plan on living in that home for at least a few years, you should also consider having it tested. Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma—so don't risk your health.
Asbestos Removal Myth 4: You can't remove asbestos from your home—you'll just have to live with it forever.
This is simply not true. While you might never be able to completely eradicate all traces of asbestos from your home, you can definitely minimise how much of it is lingering around and causing problems by using an asbestos removal service. The sooner you act, the better off your health will be in the long run.
Asbestos Removal Myth 5: Asbestos removal is too expensive for your budget right now.
There are always ways to work within your budget if you prioritise what matters most to you and your family. If having safe air quality in your home and protecting yourself from the negative effects of asbestos exposure are important, then there's a good chance they're important enough that you'll be able to find affordable asbestos removal.
The fact is that anyone can be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma, if exposed. That doesn't mean that you or anyone in your family is guaranteed to develop an asbestos-related disease — but the best and only way to prevent it from happening is early detection and removal. Talk with an expert about asbestos removal today.