With the rise of Home Handy Man shows, everyone is keen to spruce up their home on the cheap whilst learning new skills. However be warned.
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH ASBESTOS?
Put simply, asbestos is dangerous because it kills people and destroys lives!
If asbestos or asbestos containing material is disturbed it forms a dust that contains asbestos fibres. Asbestos becomes a health risk when asbestos fibres are released into the air and are breathed in.
Asbestos is extremely fibrous, and the tiny fibres are easily breathed in where they can become trapped in the lungs. Being exposed to asbestos increases the risk of developing cancers of the lung, ovary and larynx as well as mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung).
Asbestos fibres are so strong they cannot be broken down by the body.
Breathing in even small amounts of asbestos fibres/dust can be deadly and may kill you!
Asbestos fibres are so tiny they get pulled deeper into lung tissue with every breath.
Symptoms of asbestos dust related diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.
The average time between exposure and developing mesothelioma is about 45 years!
There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos!
If you decide not to call in the professionals please ensure you follow these precautions.
8 Tips for Safely Handling Asbestos
Follow these precautions if you are considering DIY asbestos abatement:
- Seal off the work area with plastic sheets and turn off the air conditioning or heating.
- Wear a respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Wear disposable coveralls and gloves during asbestos work.
- Wear appropriate protective footwear such as gumboots or disposable booties.
- Wear protective eyewear if using a half face respirator.
- Use a pump sprayer at all times to keep asbestos materials wet and suppress dust.
- Clean the work area with wet wipes or a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
- Dispose of asbestos waste in clearly labelled bags at a landfill that can accept asbestos.
