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Protect Your Family With An Asbestos Testing Southern California

By Jason McDonald


You may have heard about the dangers of asbestos, but few people think it can happen to them. Many think they are only found in old buildings, which is partially true, but they are still more prevalent than you might think. If you suspect that your home, office or anywhere else you spend a lot of time might have them, then you need to get asbestos testing Southern California done to ensure you, your family and your coworkers are all safe.

Asbestos are almost legendary for their danger, but few people understand what they are, exactly. They are minerals made up of millions of tiny fibers. These fibers are very strong and durable despite their tininess, which makes them quite dangerous. They are so small that they can spread easily into the air and get inhaled into your lungs, causing distress and possibly disease. They were put in millions of products in the past.

The particles making up these minerals were so widely used that by the time companies using them realized what was happening, it was too late to stem the tide. Millions of buildings and items had them, and lots of people were suffering from lung ailments as a result, especially mesothelioma, a particularly nasty form of cancer.

There are parts of your home or building that you may not realize could contain asbestos. For example, stucco on the exterior of the home, linoleum, dry wall and joint compounds, and acoustic ceiling spray to name a few.

One of the greatest dangers is repairing your home, especially dry wall or ceilings, especially if you work as a contractor or in construction. You must protect your lungs from getting these mineral particles in them. Using a mask and eyewear is the best way to go, as they can go a long ways towards helping you stay asbestos free.

If you think you may have asbestos, do not try to remove them on your own. Instead, you should take a small sample and send it to a qualified lab to test it. In many cases, you can get the results the same day or within 24 hours, depending on volume.

You can call a technician from the lab to come get a sample from the property, or you can do it yourself without paying the fee. You will want to take precautions though, such as turning off your heater or air conditioner to keep mineral particles from circulating throughout the structure. Get a bottle with a fine mister, fill with water and drop a little detergent in it. This is to spray the possibly infected area to help keep particles from spreading. Once sprayed carefully cut off a chunk and put into a sealable bag to send to the lab .

If the result of the test is positive, then you must hire professionals to come in and do the removal. You will have to leave the house while it is being done, so you will also have to make arrangements to stay somewhere else for the duration. Though this all seems like a huge inconvenience, it will pay off in the long run.




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