Archive for September, 2009
An Overview of Asbestos
It’s quite remarkable how many men (at least in the West) are enthusiastic about DIY (or is that just a stereotype?). Of course, we should accept that there is a lot of challenge in this form of work and it DIY, and house renovation need not come at an expensive price – the best thing about it is that you get to enjoy the results of your own work, close-up, day after day! People certainly continue to boast to their relatives and friends about their new DIY accomplishments.
(Well besides the bodge and scarpers necessities of inexperienced DIYers.)
There is a considerable wide range of DIY approaches in existence; and many of those require not only specialist skills and tools but also specialist knowledge. You also need the advice for asbestos claims.
Between the practical allowances that people have to make when accommodating DIY work and the depressing abundance of “cowboy” builders giving the industry such a bad name and ever reducing customer confidence in it, there are DIY skills that that are so dangerous that strictly speaking only certified professionals should carry out. Asbestos removal is one of these – and it is little wonder that this is the case when the poisonous qualities of asbestos have since made it an illegal substance in so many parts of the world.
Twenty-five years ago, a lot of people treated the word “asbestos” as being of little significance and although asbestos materials including asbestos bags were considered beneficial at the time due to strong strong fibres, durability and safe guarding properties of being able to fireproof a home. It was soon discovered that asbestos materials were hazardous particularly when factory workers and other people began emerging with terminal diseases in the wake of steady exposure to the substance. Medical proof realized and suggested how deadly it could be. Unsurprisingly, building regulations in many parts of the world have changed so that virtually no new buildings permit the installation of asbestos today.
Asbestos is dangerous because its fibres are so small. As a result of this, they drift into the air and spread easily; it is easy for them to get into one’s lungs. Even small doses can bring about big problems.
The potential diseases linked to asbestos are particularly serious. One of these is mesothelioma: a rare form of lung cancer caused by direct exposure to asbestos fibres. There is no cure for it – and anyone suffering from it can experience any of the following up to death: chest wall pain, shortness of breath, anemia, coughing of blood, abdominal pain, bowel functioning problems, jaundice, and blood clots in the arteries and lungs. Also, lung tissue may become scarred; this would interfere with normal respiratory functions. It may be 5-10 years after constant exposure before the symptoms even start to show. And things can only get worse if you have a family or work in an office… don’t take chances with your life or anyone else’s. Always hire a specialist.