Medical Symptoms and Facts

Asbestos is extremely dangerous to anyone handling it as well as others in the area if it becomes airborne. The inhalation of airborne asbestos particles has been shown to be the leading contributing factor to disease mesothelioma. Inhaled asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs causing breathing problems and leads to infection. These infections cause a build up of fluid in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. The fluid build up leads to the formation of cancerous tumors which is the beginning stages of mesothelioma.

Due to the high risk factor associated with the removal of asbestos, it has been highly regulated by the government in recent years. Buildings are required to be tested for asbestos before any construction, renovation or demolition can be done to the building. However, People working on their own homes are exempt from these regulations but it is required that asbestos information be provided to any contractors brought to the home to assist in any work being done.

There are four common methods that are used to remove materials that may contain asbestos. The first method is called dry stripping. Dry stripping is the most popular way to remove asbestos, however, regulatory authorities advise against this method of asbestos removal. Using dry stripping as a means of asbestos removal creates high levels of dust containing asbestos particles. Since inhaling these asbestos particles is one of the leading causes of many types of lung disease as well as mesothelioma, authorities usually recommend alternative forms of asbestos removal.