How to Test For Asbestos

By Matt Murren

If you live in an older home (built before 1980), there may be a strong chance that you are being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that was once used as insulation and floor backing in homes and places of business until researchers came up with the realization that when airborne and inhaled, asbestos can be extremely hazardous to your health, causing a gamut of health problems such as breathing difficulties, asbestosis and even more severe health issues such as lung cancer and Mesothelioma. By having an asbestos test done, you can eliminate the worry of wondering whether or not you are exposing yourself or your family to this harmful chemical.

There are several different ways that you can test your home to see if you or family is being exposed to asbestos. You can contact a company who specializes in the detection, clean up and removal of asbestos. If you choose to go with one of these companies, make sure that they are licensed and bonded and come with a list of referrals to ensure that you are going with a company who puts their client's health and safety first.

If you feel up to the task, you may also test for asbestos exposure yourself with a do-it-yourself kit. You can get these from a number of sources. Many of them are mail-in tests what will provide you with all of the necessary items you need to conduct the asbestos test. You start testing for asbestos by using the proper respiratory protection such as a mask and body suit (make sure that all hair, including facial hair) is not exposed as asbestos easily clings to hair, risking further exposure. Wearing proper gloves, completely wet the sample you are going to take with a spray bottle to eliminate the chance that any part of the insulation will go airborne. Using a razor knife or chisel, section out the desired piece of wall or flooring for sampling. Make sure to get all layers of flooring or wall to ensure you gather all traces of asbestos. Then place your sample in one of the sealed bags and send to the proper location. These tests generally run approximately $30 and you will have your results in as little as two weeks time.

Get instant information on How to Test for Asbestos at http://www.asbestos-lawyer-advisor.com - Test for Asbestos

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Murren

Residential Asbestos - Popcorn Ceilings

By Joseph Devine

Throughout history, since the Ancient Greeks, asbestos has been loved for its durability and fire retardant properties. The Greeks used the fiber for table cloths that, when they got dirty, could just be tossed into the fire to be cleaned. With time, humans have used asbestos in a wide variety of products. In the 20th century, the uses expanded as the number of items needing to be insulated expanded as well.

In addition to its insulation properties, asbestos was used in homes not only to insulate but to make them safer in the event of a fire. In this regard, asbestos was added to insulation as well as any number of other things. By adding a fire retardant material to homes, it was thought that everyone that lived in them would be safer. One of the biggest areas for asbestos in a home was in a popcorn ceiling.

Popcorn ceilings were not really ceilings but rather a spray-on coating applied to an existing ceiling. They were excellent for covering up any blemishes in the construction. In addition, they added a sound-proofing quality to the ceiling that made it less likely for a noise in the room to carry throughout the house. In these ways, they were extremely useful.

Like all textured finishes on walls or ceilings, popcorn ceilings have their downsides. One huge downside is that they are very difficult to clean and also provide many nooks and crannies for dust and dirt to hide. The bigger, more important, downside is that they frequently contain asbestos. Not all popcorn ceilings that were applied in a roughly 30 year span contain asbestos but many do.

When the ceiling contains asbestos, it is very dangerous to put up a ceiling fan or drill anything into the ceiling. Another huge problem is that when they are cleaned, the asbestos in the ceiling easily flakes off and becomes airborne. This is because the asbestos in a popcorn ceiling is extremely friable. To say that it is friable is to say that the asbestos easily escapes the confines of whatever structure it is in. Asbestos in flooring materials is not nearly as friable as that in a ceiling.

A huge hazard arises when a family or couple or individual buys an older home with the intent of remodeling it. Many older homes in older neighborhoods have established landscaping and lots of charm making them popular for remodeling. Popcorn ceilings are not "in style" anymore for homes and so they are one of the first things that a home will have ripped out of it. This, if done improperly or without checking for asbestos first, can cause huge health hazards and expose everyone to asbestos.

The [http://www.mesolawsuit.com]mesothelioma attorneys of Williams Kherkher know what it takes to prove an asbestos exposure or mesothelioma case. They are dedicated to ensuring justice for each and every one of their clients.

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine