A Brief on Asbestos Testing

There have been hundreds of deaths due to asbestos poisoning.It is very much invincible and it is found in homes built during and before the 80s.Before the researchers found that asbestos is poisonous and inhaling it can cause death, it was commonly used in walls, ceilings and pipes.Hence, in case you are buying a home, which was built in or before the 80s, it makes good sense to get a professional asbestos testing done.

Asbestos is a natural microscopic material which is white, has a fibrous appearance, and can be found in tiny amounts in the air.Inhaling these asbestos particles in a large amount can cause various diseases, including cancer.But the good news is if the house is not completely destroyed, the asbestos is still intact and will not combine with the air.But if you really consider renovating it, then conduct an asbestos testing with the help of an expert.

Asbestos testing has to be done carefully so that the fibers will not disperse easily on the air.First of all, the tester will wear gloves, plastic coats and masks to ensure that he is protected from direct contact with asbestos.The furniture and the floor, walls, ceilings etc. are covered with plastic covers.The doors, windows and other air ventilation systems are shut down so that there is no movement of air so asbestos particles do not mix with air.The material to be tested will then be blown using a water and detergent mixture.The tester than uses a knife to cut a small part as a sample for further testing.He will put it in a tightly sealed container.And with the other samples, he will bring it to the lab for further testing.If it is positive for asbestos, then you must hire experts to remove the asbestos from the house.

There are also special asbestos testing Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kits available for people who wish to do the testing themselves.This kit contains sample spatulas and containers that are said to be sterilized and you can order one from the internet.The problem with asbestos testing kits is that you still need to bring them to the testing laboratory (which is expensive); the containers are so small, and if you do it incorrectly chances are all the asbestos fibers will mix in with the air and enter your lungs.