Homeowners who are not aware of older paints and building materials may have concerns about them. Asbestos is widely recognised as a significant health hazard.
Asbestos used to be widely used in construction materials because it was known for its ability to absorb sound and resist fire. It was eventually realised that being exposed to asbestos for a long time can be harmful to one’s health. Asbestos use in a wide range of items was eventually restricted, starting in the 1970s.
If you live in an older house and are concerned about asbestos exposure from paints in your home, there are six important things you should know:
If you live in an older house and are concerned about asbestos exposure from paints in your home, here are six important things you should know:
What health issues are linked to asbestos exposure?
There are several different medical disorders that have been linked to exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lungs and digestive system. It is widely recognised as one of the most well-known cases of cancer. Research suggests that asbestos exposure may be a cause of lung cancer.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to non-cancerous diseases like asbestosis and pleural thickening.
How does asbestos enter your body?
Exposure to asbestos can cause various health issues, with lung cancer being the most frequent one. The reason for this is that asbestos can enter the body when it is inhaled. Asbestos fibres pose a danger because they can be inhaled. After the fibres are released, people living in a house unknowingly breathe them in every day. This is especially true for houses that have not had their asbestos content assessed and, if needed, reduced.
What about paints? Does Paint contain asbestos?
Before the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in paints and could be found in houses built before the 1970s. It’s possible that old paints that have asbestos in them could contain up to 10% of that material.
What are the signs that indicate asbestos risks?
It’s important to note that just because their house was painted with asbestos-containing paint, it doesn’t automatically mean that they are in danger of developing health concerns from asbestos exposure.
As long as the paint is in good condition and not disturbed by deterioration or renovation activities, there is no need to worry about asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibres can only become airborne if there is demolition or maintenance work being done, or if asbestos-painted surfaces are allowed to degrade.
Painters who have experience in detecting and removing asbestos can inspect the painted surfaces inside a house to determine if there is a potential risk of exposure.
Painters who have experience in detecting and removing asbestos can inspect the painted surfaces inside a house to determine if there is a potential risk of exposure. How can you detect and remove asbestos in your home?
How can you detect and remove asbestos in your home?
When renovating an older property, homeowners need to find out if asbestos was used in the paint or other construction materials. If you want to make sure that renovation work doesn’t release any dangerous asbestos fibres into the air, it’s important to conduct asbestos detection.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified patterned ceiling paint, patching compounds, silver paints, and joint compounds as examples of common types of paint that have been found to contain asbestos.
If any of these types of paint were used in your home, asbestos abatement professionals can inspect your residence for asbestos dangers.
What are the methods used for asbestos abatement?
If you think there might be asbestos in your home, it’s important to know about the different options you have for dealing with it. Asbestos needs to be either remedied or removed, depending on the circumstances.
One common way to deal with asbestos is by applying a special type of paint to it. This helps to keep the asbestos from getting disturbed and prevents any asbestos fibres from getting released into the air.
If the paint or building components that contain asbestos are chipping away or deteriorating, there is a higher chance of exposure. There are times when it’s necessary to completely remove the painted surface.
If you’re concerned about the presence of asbestos in your house, reach out to the knowledgeable staff at CWP Painting. If you have any questions or issues, please feel free to reach out to us.
