Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and, while it can cause serious health problems, it's not going away anytime soon. To minimize risks to yourself and those around you, asbestos removal and disposal require professional commercial asbestos removal Melbourne as soon as asbestos is discovered for expert advice. With that said, there are certain myths surrounding asbestos that have been blown out of proportion—and they're hurting more people than they're helping. That's why we've put together this list of common misconceptions about asbestos exposure to help you understand what you're dealing with (and what your options are).
Myth 1: Newer properties are free from asbestos
Asbestos was used in many construction materials until the 1980s. It was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is no longer used in new building projects, but it can still be found on older buildings—even those built after 1980. Asbestos is still used in some products today, such as vinyl flooring, ceiling tiles, and drywall insulation. And spray-on insulation has been found to contain significant amounts of asbestos fibers that can cause lung cancer if inhaled over time.
Myth 2: Once found, asbestos should be removed immediately
As mentioned above, it is important to remove asbestos quickly. However, it's not as simple as just hiring a professional commercial asbestos removal Melbourne company and having them do all the work for you. The reality is that asbestos removal is a complex process that requires careful planning and special equipment, training and certification. Asbestos removal should only be done by professionals who have been trained in how to safely handle toxic materials like this one.
Myth 3: Wearing a mask will keep you safe
Wearing a mask will not protect you from asbestos dust. Asbestos dust is made up of tiny fibres that are suspended in the air or on objects like clothing and tools/equipment. It's possible for these small particles to enter your lungs when inhaling – even if there is no visible dust around! Wearing a mask won't stop this from happening either since most masks only cover part of the face (and often quite poorly).
Myth 4: Mesothelioma is contagious
This is one of the most common myths about asbestos. However, mesothelioma is not a contagious disease and cannot be transmitted from person to person. It occurs as a result of long-term exposure to asbestos in some form.
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling or swallowing tiny particles of asbestos fibers that were released into the air during mining, milling or manufacturing processes; or working with products containing asbestos (for example insulation materials). Because these activities may have occurred many decades earlier, it’s important for anyone who has worked in an industry where they could have been exposed to asbestos products to have regular check-ups so any potential health problems can be detected early on.
Myth 5: You can rid asbestos from your body if you act quickly
It is not possible to rid your body of asbestos, even when you know it's there and has been exposed. Asbestos is a very slow-acting cancer which takes years or decades before symptoms appear. The only way to rid yourself of asbestos is by having the material removed professionally by a licensed contractor, who uses special protective gear and equipment.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you dispel some of the myths about asbestos and its dangers. We also hope it has given you some insight into how to handle potential asbestos exposure in your home or place of business. If you have any questions about asbestos, please feel free to contact our team for more information!
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