Asbestos Exposure Symptoms in the Home

If you or a loved one lives in an older home then it is important to know the facts about potential asbestos exposure in the home. An older home for the purposes of having a possible asbestos problem would be any home built before 1978 in the United States. Learning where asbestos may exist in a home will help you to protect the health and well being of yourself and your loved ones. Various government organizations and agencies have created guidelines and laws for handling asbestos exposure and abatement.
Asbestos Exposure Can Lead to Serious Illness
Asbestos exposure is clearly defined as inhaling and swallowing tiny particles and fibers. The particles in question become airborne when asbestos are broken up or disturbed. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they may lodge themselves within the lining around the lungs, abdominal cavity or heart. These particles can build up over many years without any symptoms whatsoever.
According to certain conditions, these asbestos particle and fiber accumulations will cause scarring and cell changes in the tissues that can lead to cancer. This type of malignant cancer is known as mesothelioma. Even if mesothelioma does not develop in a person with asbestos exposure, other asbestos related conditions can develop which can cause other serious illnesses.
Asbestos Exposure is Still a Common Occurrence
The most common type of asbestos exposure is occupational in the construction industry, the auto industry, the railroad industry and in shipyards. There are many products made at factories which have been coated with or woven with asbestos. In fact, asbestos was one of the most commonly used industrial materials and additives used through the mid 1970's.
As asbestos is broken or manipulated in any way, fine particles may be released into the air, where it can be inhaled and/or swallowed. Persons which come home from an asbestos related work environment may expose family and household members to the dust when from their clothing and hair.
Other exposures may be from older buildings where asbestos laced materials were used in construction. Asbestos materials are generally safe as long as they are encapsulated in some way. However, if asbestos is disturbed during renovations or demolition then it can become airborne and expose persons in the immediate indoor environment.
How to Protect Yourself from Asbestos Exposure
Fortunately, the use of asbestos in new products has been heavily regulated during the past 30 plus years in the U.S. However, an older home may contain materials that were manufactured with asbestos fibers.
Before any renovation is performed, it is paramount to know where asbestos may be in your home to prevent exposure. This is equally important if you must deal with the aftermath of a flood, fire or other event that damaged your home. The local health department is always a good resource to utilize if you are not certain where asbestos may be present in your home. They can also help with the asbestos abatement policies which apply to your area.