What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that contains a thin fiber that if inhaled can lead to harmful ailments and cancers. It was widely used in insulation materials for homes as well as a variety of other things like car brakes and gaskets. While asbestos is still used today, it was much more prevalent between the early 1900s onward to the 1980’s. Many individuals worked within the asbestos industry as asbestos miners, manufacturers for products as well as for installing asbestos products in homes. Asbestos is a material that has very strong resistance to heat and other chemicals, which is why so many companies were using it in their products. What they didn’t know was that the material they were using was very harmful.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Building?
One of the main reasons that asbestos was so prevalent in building back in the middle of the 20th century was due to its many resistance properties. Companies would use asbestos in a variety of products ranging from brake liners to wall insulation and shingles for housing roofs. It’s resistant to heat, other chemicals and even fire. They also didn’t have a small and could come in contact with water without being ruined.
Does Anyone Still Build With Asbestos?
Asbestos is still used today in some products like gaskets for cars, some cements and also some different types of parts relating to brakes for cars. The US also has a law in place that products coming into the US containing asbestos must contain less than 1% of the material for the total materials of that product. This is a far different reality then back in the middle part of the 20th century when asbestos was largely unregulated. That all changed though in the 1980’s onward when numerous products and materials were banned containing asbestos.
Should Asbestos be Removed if Found?
Asbestos is a very fine and thin material that must be handled with the utmost respect in carefulness. When asbestos is damaged it releases those small and thin fibers into the air that are then breathed by people without them even knowing it. This is why it is recommended that someone with experience do the asbestos removal. Asbestos removal services exist and those who deal in that line of work wear special hazardous material suits and masks to prevent contact with asbestos. That alone should allow you to see the seriousness of coming into contact with this material. If you are looking for asbestos removal in Malibu, CA, then consider contacting an asbestos removal company like Nielsen Environmental.
