Informative Essay On Asbestos

You know that having asbestos in your home can be dangerous, but do you know how and where to find it? Asbestos is generally safe until it is disturbed, but remodeling projects and other household improvements can expose you to asbestos if you're not careful. Deteriorating and damaged building materials, too, can release asbestos. In order to keep your family safe, it is important to know where you may encounter asbestos. It is also important to learn how to take a sample of any suspect material to determine if it is asbestos or something more benign.

Asbestos Sample Defined

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral material naturally found in soil and rock formations. The term is a generic one and can refer to any one of six different minerals, according

When asbestos is handled, its tiny fibers float through the air and enter the body. When inhaled, these fibers lodge in the lungs and stay there, eventually causing lung cancer. Asbestos exposure has also been associated with stomach cancer, laryngitis, immune system suppression, enlargement of the heart and pleural abnormalities. The risk of these health problems increases with the amount of asbestos you are exposed to, the length of time you are exposed and how often you are exposed. It is still critical to be cautious when obtaining a sample, as a safe level of asbestos exposure has not been

The sample should be about the size of your thumbnail. Be sure to cut through every layer of the material so your sample is complete. Whenever possible, cut your sample from an existing hole or crack rather than creating a new one. Once the sample is free, immediately drop it into your airtight container or bag. Seal the container right away and wash the outside off with a damp paper towel. Wipe your knife and any other tools clean as well.

Remove your coveralls and wrap them in the plastic tarp. Wrap the paper towel and any other debris in the plastic as well before securing the plastic in a tightly closed trash bag. Immediately dispose of the trash bag. If there is any chance that you have left debris on the floor where you were working, clean the area thoroughly with a wet mop.

Once the area is clean and the trash disposed of, it is safe to remove your respirator. Use the marker to label the sample container with your name, address and the date. If you are taking more than one sample, label each one with a note stating which room or area it was taken from. When that is finished, take a thorough shower to remove any asbestos fibers that may be clinging to your skin or hair.

Where Does My Sample