Asbestos Hazards

asbestos hazard

Asbestos has always been a respiratory hazard and respiratory/gastrointestinal carcinogen. Asbestos tends to break down into a dust of microscopic size fibers. Exposure to asbestos occurs when respirable fibers are released into the air and then inhaled. Because of their size and shape, these tiny fibers remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can easily penetrate body tissues after being inhaled or ingested. Remember, asbestos fibers are much too small to be seen without a powerful microscope. In fact, an average human hair is approximately 1200 times thicker than an asbestos fiber.

Asbestos is especially dangerous when breathed in. It is very hard to determine if asbestos is present in the air you breathe, as it does not cause immediate problems like coughing or itchiness. Symptoms may not appear for 10 to 40 years after being exposed to asbestos. Diseases caused by asbestos are hard to treat and most often impossible to cure. Asbestosis is one common asbestos related disease. It causes an inflammation in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare asbestos disease that is a cancer of the outside lining of the lungs and abdomen. Asbestos has also been associated with other forms of lung cancer. Asbestos related diseases are very painful. Since exposure occurs when asbestos is inhaled, the best way to prevent exposure is to prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne...Period.

Asbestos is no longer used due to the health concerns surrounding this material. Asbestos is most dangerous when a product made from it is bothered and the dust is released into the air. The only way to safely handle, detect, encapsulate or remove asbestos is through a Massachusetts professional who is trained to work with asbestos.

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Hi Dave,

I want to thank you for the home inspection you did for us at 144 Avis Ave. in Dracut MA. We did not get the house because the home owners did not want to split the cost of fixing that wall. I had gotten two estimates, one from a landscaper and one from a Mason. Both gave an estimate of $15,000.00, for which I am grateful for your inspection and pointing out the wall problem. It would of been an undue burden on us, not to mention I am also grateful about the radon testing also. I just got the results today and they came back at 7.5 and 8.4, so that would of been another expense. I do hope that when we find a new house that you will be able to do our home inspection. Your fee was a drop in the hat, to what it would of cost us to fix the wall and then the cost of venting the basement. My husband was also very impressed with your report and how well it was written. Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know what happened, and hopefully will be doing business with you again very soon.

Have a Good Day
Jackie Sliney