(701)566-1446Asbestos FAQ
What is Asbestos?
Where in my home is it most common to have Asbestos?
Why is Asbestos dangerous?
What should I do if I think I have Asbestos in my home?
What kind of health risks are there with Asbestos?
What is Mesothelioma?
Is there a medical test to determine if I have been exposed to Asbestos?
I think I have Asbestos insulation in my attic, what should I do?
I am concerned that my vinyl floor covering is Asbestos, what should I do?
I think I have Asbestos insulated pipes in my basement, what should I do?
What does it cost to have Asbestos professionally removed from my house?
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber, and can be identified with a special microscope. Asbestos was commonly used to strengthen a variety of different products, and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. There are six different minerals that are defined as Asbestos:
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Asbestos is a mineral fiber, and can be identified with a special microscope. Asbestos was commonly used to strengthen a variety of different products, and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. There are six different minerals that are defined as Asbestos:
- Chrysotile
- Amosite
- Crocidolite
- Tremolite
- Anthophyllite
- Actinolite
- Russia(40%)
- China(20%)
- Kazakhstan(13%)
- Brazil(10%)
- Canada(10%)
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Where in my home is it most common to have Asbestos?
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- Attic insulation
- Plaster ceiling and plaster wall
- Vinyl floor covering
- Pipe insulation
- HVAC flexible duct connectors
- Paint
- Oil furnaces and gaskets
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Why is Asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos becomes dangerous when it crumbles into pieces, that are small enough to be inhaled into the lungs. When Asbestos crumbles in to fibers or dust, it can do severe damage to your lungs.
If you inhale Asbestos dust or fibers, you wont be aware of it, and wont have any health symptoms until 20-50 years later. There is no immediate symptoms such as sinus problems, headaches or sore muscles. The longer the period of time that a person is exposed to asbestos fibers, the higher the risk of developing lung disease later in life.
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Asbestos becomes dangerous when it crumbles into pieces, that are small enough to be inhaled into the lungs. When Asbestos crumbles in to fibers or dust, it can do severe damage to your lungs.
If you inhale Asbestos dust or fibers, you wont be aware of it, and wont have any health symptoms until 20-50 years later. There is no immediate symptoms such as sinus problems, headaches or sore muscles. The longer the period of time that a person is exposed to asbestos fibers, the higher the risk of developing lung disease later in life.
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What should I do if I think I have Asbestos in my home?
Since Asbestos fibers don't do any damage when its not airborne, it is most of the times better to leave it undisturbed. There is no reason to remove Asbestos materials that are in good shape. If your suspected Asbestos material is crumbling, it is recommended to have a professional to inspect the house, and consider repair, testing and/or removal.
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Since Asbestos fibers don't do any damage when its not airborne, it is most of the times better to leave it undisturbed. There is no reason to remove Asbestos materials that are in good shape. If your suspected Asbestos material is crumbling, it is recommended to have a professional to inspect the house, and consider repair, testing and/or removal.
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What kind of health risks are there with Asbestos?
There is absolutely no immediate or short term health symptoms with Asbestos exposure. Health disease like Asbestosis, Lung cancer and Mesothelioma may develop 20-50 years after exposure, usually with fatal consequences.
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There is absolutely no immediate or short term health symptoms with Asbestos exposure. Health disease like Asbestosis, Lung cancer and Mesothelioma may develop 20-50 years after exposure, usually with fatal consequences.
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What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form for cancer, usually developed from exposure to Asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between Mesothelioma and smoking. Fibers from Asbestos could cause inflammation of the internal tissue which could lead to Mesothelioma.
Read more about Mesothelioma.
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Mesothelioma is a rare form for cancer, usually developed from exposure to Asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between Mesothelioma and smoking. Fibers from Asbestos could cause inflammation of the internal tissue which could lead to Mesothelioma.
Read more about Mesothelioma.
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Is there a medical test to determine if I have been exposed to Asbestos?
The most effective test do determine if your lungs are damaged by Asbestos is an X-ray of your chest. The X-rays wont show the presence of Asbestos fibers, but can detect signs of a lung disease.
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I think I have Asbestos insulation in my attic, what should I do?
Vermiculite was used to insulate more than 35 million homes in the US until the early 1990's. The first and biggest Vermiculite mine in the US started in 1920 in Libby, Montana, and was sold under the name Zonolite. The mining operation in Libby was stopped in 1990 in response to Asbestos contamination. The Libby mine is estimated to be the source of 80% of all Vermiculite in the US, and all Vermiculite from Libby contained Asbestos. That is why most of the 35 million homes with Vermiculite contains Asbestos, and therefore may be a health concern.
Always assume that Vermiculite contains Asbestos, and do not under any circumstances disturb it. Even if you have professionals remove your Vermiculite, the chances that you will get airborne fibers in your house is bigger than if you would leave it undisturbed. The only reason for removing Vermiculite would be if you are doing any remodeling that includes dropping your ceiling.
Removing Vermiculite from your house cost somewhere between $5 to $8 per Sq. ft.
Vermiculite brochure
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I am concerned that my vinyl floor covering is Asbestos, what should I do?
Unless you absolutely have to remove the tiles, or the vinyl tile is deteriorating or crumbling, it is best to leave them undisturbed. Asbestos tiles are not considered a health concern if there are no dust or fibers airborne. It is completely safe to install a carpet or another type of floor covering on top of a vinyl floor in good shape.
There is no way to determine if your vinyl tile contains Asbestos besides having the floor covering tested. Vinyl floors installed prior to 1980 contain Asbestos.
If you wish to have your vinyl floor removed, it is recommended to have it done professionally. Since the cost could be as high as $5 to $8 per Sq. ft, many homeowner decide to do it themselves. Below is a complete guide for how to properly remove Asbestos floor coverings.
Complete guide for how to remove vinyl floor coverings containing Asbestos.
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Unless you absolutely have to remove the tiles, or the vinyl tile is deteriorating or crumbling, it is best to leave them undisturbed. Asbestos tiles are not considered a health concern if there are no dust or fibers airborne. It is completely safe to install a carpet or another type of floor covering on top of a vinyl floor in good shape.
There is no way to determine if your vinyl tile contains Asbestos besides having the floor covering tested. Vinyl floors installed prior to 1980 contain Asbestos.
If you wish to have your vinyl floor removed, it is recommended to have it done professionally. Since the cost could be as high as $5 to $8 per Sq. ft, many homeowner decide to do it themselves. Below is a complete guide for how to properly remove Asbestos floor coverings.
Complete guide for how to remove vinyl floor coverings containing Asbestos.
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I think I have Asbestos insulated pipes in my basement, what should I do?
Old piping from burners and boilers was often wrapped in Asbestos insulation prior to the 1970's. If the insulation is good condition, and no chance of being disturbed, there is no reason to have it removed. Although if you see signs of crumbling or deterioration, it is recommended to have a professional inspector to confirm/test the presence of Asbestos. It is often less risk to have your pipework repaired(if possible) than removed. Removal of Asbestos piping is not regulated by the EPA.
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Old piping from burners and boilers was often wrapped in Asbestos insulation prior to the 1970's. If the insulation is good condition, and no chance of being disturbed, there is no reason to have it removed. Although if you see signs of crumbling or deterioration, it is recommended to have a professional inspector to confirm/test the presence of Asbestos. It is often less risk to have your pipework repaired(if possible) than removed. Removal of Asbestos piping is not regulated by the EPA.
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What does it cost to have Asbestos professionally removed from my house?
It is expensive to have a professional contractor to remove Asbestos from your house.
It all depends on the quantity and differences in structure, but the average normally is between $5 to $8 per Sq. ft.
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It is expensive to have a professional contractor to remove Asbestos from your house.
It all depends on the quantity and differences in structure, but the average normally is between $5 to $8 per Sq. ft.
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Dent Asbestos Testing | Detroit Lakes Asbestos Testing | Dilworth Asbestos Testing | Fargo Asbestos Testing
Glyndon Asbestos Testing | Harwood Asbestos Testing | Hawley Asbestos Testing | Hendrum Asbestos Testing
Horace Asbestos Testing | Hunter Asbestos Testing | Kindred Asbestos Testing | Lake Park Asbestos Testing
Lisbon Asbestos Testing | Mapleton Asbestos Testing | Moorhead Asbestos Testing | Valley City Asbestos Testing
Pelican Rapids Asbestos Testing | Rothsay Asbestos Testing| Wahpeton Asbestos Testing | Waubun Asbestos Testing
West Fargo Asbestos Testing | Wyndmere Asbestos Testing
