Asbestos was a very popular material in many industries and construction due to its fire resistance and chemical inertness. Many buildings that were built before the 1990s have asbestos-containing materials used somewhere in their structure.

Unfortunately, research has shown that asbestos is to blame for some serious terminal illnesses, which are asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural plaque and mesothelioma.

Do you have asbestos in your house?

If you suspect that you have asbestos containing materials in your house, it is important to call a professional who will test samples, as asbestos is not easily identifiable by sight. As you wait for the results, what you can do is seal off the place you suspect has asbestos so that children and pets don't disturb it. Asbestos is only dangerous when it is inhaled so nothing should be allowed to disturb it and get the fibers airborne.

There are two types of asbestos that could be in your house

• Friable

This type of asbestos can be easily ground into small fibers or particles, even by hand pressure. It poses a high risk, as it can easily get airborne. When you suspect this type of asbestos is in your house you should call professional asbestos removal services immediately.

• Non-Friable

This type of asbestos is a solid mass that is unlikely to get airborne. It does not pose as much of a threat as friable asbestos.

Why should you use professional asbestos removal services?

In many cases, it is very wise to remove any asbestos in your house where it is possible. This is because even non-friable asbestos could deteriorate with time due to age, external or environmental forces. The process of removing asbestos can get fibers airborne. For this reason, let professionals who have the right equipment and will take the following precautions do it:

• They will cordon off the area and wear protective gear.
• They will take measures such as getting the asbestos wet to ensure the fibers do not get airborne.
• They will dispose of asbestos safely; you cannot dispose of asbestos by just throwing it in the trash. 

After the asbestos removal service has carried out the removal, an independent and licensed asbestos assessor will carry out air monitoring to ascertain there are no asbestos fibers in the air. If the air is clean, a compliance certificate is issued and you are able to occupy your home in safe in the knowledge that asbestos has been removed.