Asbestos is a natural occurrence of a mineral composed of thin needle-like fibers. It refers to the category of 6 different fibrous minerals.
Asbestos is resistant to different elements, such as:
- heat
- electricity
- corrosion
Thus, asbestos is used in various fields, such as:
- military
- construction
- other fields
Asbestos Testing is when a person inspects a building or facility for the existence or location of ACM (Asbestos-Containing Material) or suspected ACM. Asbestos-containing material is defined as material that has greater than 1% asbestos.
What does asbestos mean?
Asbestos is a kind of mineral that naturally occurs in soil and rock. It is made up of thin, long, and fibrous crystals. These asbestos fibers are small and need a microscope to see them. Ingesting or inhaling asbestos may cause fibers trapped in the body.
Facts of asbestos
Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals used for strengthening and fireproofing materials. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, it is trapped in the body. The fibers cause diseases, such as:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
Method of testing for asbestos
Identification of asbestos should be done by polarized light or electron microscopy techniques.
In workplace exposure
Asbestos is used on materials for construction projects, such as:
- shingles
- floor tiles
- asbestos cement
- roofing felts
- insulation
- acoustical
The non-construction uses include:
- Brakes
- Clutch facings
- Paper
- Paints
- Plastics
- Fabrics
One of the most important exposures in the workplace is asbestos removal and encapsulation in different buildings, such as:
- schools
- public buildings
- homes
Many workers are possibly exposed to asbestos during these operations. Around 95% of the asbestos is used commercially, called chrysotile. Amosite and crocidolite will make up the rest. You can encounter contaminants in various industrial products, such as:
- Anthophyllite
- tremolite
- actinolite
● Types of asbestos
There are 6 main types of asbestos, namely:
- Crocidolite
- Chrysotile
- Amosite
- Anthophyllite
- Tremolite
- actinolite
Benefits of asbestos testing
The test for asbestos is beneficial for residents and workers in the workplace. It helps you detect asbestos-contained materials and prevent others from being harmed by these substances.
Why should you invest in the testing?
Asbestos assessment is an affordable test and worth the cost. Consider the testing to prevent you from exposure to extremely harmful material. Asbestos causes lung diseases that cost your life an expensive lung transplant. The testing helps you and the workers prevent the deadly asbestos-contained materials.
Asbestos assessment gives you peace of mind from the risk of asbestos poisoning and secures everyone on the working site.