Asbestos is a durable, fire-resistant mineral that was used in the construction of many homes and commercial buildings from the 1930s to the 1980s. It was banned after the mineral’s fibers were found to be extremely dangerous when inhaled. The fibers can cause the deadly cancer mesothelioma, among other health problems. As such, it is important for homeowners, especially those with young children, to identify any potential for exposure around the home to keep their families safe.

How Does Exposure Happen?

Depending on the age of your house, the mineral may be in your attic, wall, and ceiling insulation. It could also have been used as insulation around stoves, pipes, and furnaces, in older floor tiles, and in roof shingles and siding.

Your family can inhale asbestos fibers as the material deteriorates or gets disturbed from wear and tear caused by home maintenance, repairs, remodeling, or demolition. Children are at a greater risk because their respiratory systems are still developing. They also breathe faster than adults, which means they can inhale more fibers in less time.

Children could ingest the mineral by putting their fingers in their mouths, and they may also be more likely to encounter harmful fibers when exploring or hiding in areas near insulation, like crawlspaces.

Signs & Symptoms

Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge themselves in the lungs and other organs, including the colon and stomach. Lung-related signs of exposure include wheezing, coughing, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, and crackling sounds when the individual breathes. Other signs, like pleural plaques in the lungs, can be discovered with testing but may take up to 30 years to develop.

Other symptoms of exposure include hoarseness, weight loss, hernias, loss of appetite, abdominal swelling or pain, pelvic pain, clubbed fingers, and problems swallowing.

When Should I Call a Remediation Team?

If you have an older home or suspect there could be asbestos in your home, you should have it tested. You can then work with a remediation team to create a plan based on the location and condition of the harmful fibers. Technicians will use special equipment to remove the dangerous mineral without spreading or further disturbing any fibers. Keep children away from affected areas until the remediation process is over.

Schedule remediation with Action Asbestos Removal to maintain a safe and healthy home. This abatement and cleanup company has served clients throughout Montville, CT, and the surrounding area since 1992 and offers 24-hour emergency service. Call (860) 848-2912 to make an appointment or visit the website for service information.