How to Detect Asbestos

Asbestos refer to a group of naturally occurring minerals, with thin elongated mass of fibers that can easily be separated from its strands. These minerals are highly resistant to heat and chemicals, not corrodible, good insulating agents and has flexible fibers that can easily be woven into many forms; all of these characteristics are the reasons why asbestos is widely used in manufacturing industries. But despite its usefulness, its impact to human health is considered fatal. With its fibers having the tendency to easily break, materials made up of asbestos may break into tiny particles and become airborne. Broken asbestos particles are as small as dust and can easily be inhaled within the surroundings or can easily be ingested when it sticks to clothing. Diseases that may result with asbestos exposure include mesothelioma, cancer of the lungs, cancer of the larynx and esophagus that may extend up to the stomach, colons and kidneys. To avoid asbestos exposure, here are some helpful tips to detect asbestos.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone directory
• Spray bottle with water and detergent
• Air tight containers

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Instructions

• 1

  Be aware of the materials that contain asbestos. The most effective way to detect asbestos is to know the sources of it at home or in public buildings. Commercial products that contain asbestos are as follows: (a) thermal insulation on pipes and boilers of houses and buildings built before 1978, (b) some roofing materials including siding shingles made up of asbestos cement, (c) plasters and Mastic glues that are used to attach floor tiles to woods or concrete, (d) some vinyl floor tiles and the back area of vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives, (e) artificial ashes and embers for fireplaces that are fired through the use of gas, (f) walls and floors of old stove models may contain asbestos paper or cement sheets and its stove-top pads may have some asbestos traces on it too, (g) some oil and coal furnaces as well as blow-in attic insulations.

• 2

  Familiarize yourself with the type of environment that may contain asbestos. To identify the presence of asbestos is to be acquainted of the settings or surroundings that are exposed to it, some of it include: (a) manufacturing factories that produce roofs, sidings, tiles, and insulation materials, (b) power plants and mining operations, (c) railroads and construction sites, (d) automotive repair shops that deals with brakes and clutches, (e) manufacturing companies of steel mills and sand, (f) shipyards, and (g) oil refineries.

• 3

  Know the type of occupations that are handling asbestos. If you are in search of a job, try to find out that ones are not exposed to asbestos. It is best to be properly oriented with these occupations to protect yourself against asbestos exposure: (a) workers for asbestos removal,(b) asbestos and boiler factory workers (c) demolition workers, painters, carpenters and plumbers, (d) operating engineers, electricians and building inspectors, (e) roofs, floors, and insulator installers, (f) furnace and maintenance workers, (g) ship builders, auto mechanics, and iron workers.

• 4

  Hire a professional asbestos inspector to inspect your new home. If you just purchased a new home, you should have it inspected for possible asbestos materials for your own safety and that of your family. If you can’t afford to hire one, contact an accredited state laboratory consultant office within your area to ask about how you can perform your own asbestos sampling, how they prefer it to be submitted and how much does it cost to have it analyzed.

• 5

  Perform some asbestos test if you suspect that a material within your home is made up of asbestos. Make sure to wear a mask and protective clothing first before doing your asbestos sampling. Prepare a spray bottle; fill it up with water and small amount of detergent. When you’re ready spray the material until it’s thoroughly soaked and carefully remove some pieces not more than a square of an inch. Gather the samples and place them in airtight containers. Examine the containers carefully for leaks and properly label each material stating its description, including the place and the date it was taken. After preparing your samples, set an appointment with the licensed state consultant laboratory within your area for a laboratory examination and analysis of your asbestos samples. You can search for their numbers in the directory under "asbestos" or "environmental.".