TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - If your home is more than 30 years old, it likely has asbestos in it. That’s fine unless you remodel and then grind or sand the asbestos contained in the floor tiles, insulation or roofing materials and create a hazardous dust, which could eventually lead to respiratory issues or even cancer. How to deal with asbestos safely is today’s Angie’s List report.
Jack Leonard, Environmental Management Institute says asbestos is a natural mineral,“If it’s big enough to see, you can’t breathe it. And so it’s the fine dust that’s produced when it’s mishandled that’s the problem.”
If you have peeling plaster or drywall, or if you plan a project that requires grinding, sanding or sawing that will produce dust, you should have those materials tested for asbestos.
Before the project starts, find a qualified asbestos inspector. The county or state health department may be able to help.
Before work begins, ask your pro how the dust will be confined to the work area and separate from the rest of your home. Leonard recommends a direct approach.
Experts recommend sealing off the entire work area with plastic sheeting and leaving the heating or air conditioning systems off when the work is being done. Once the work is complete, Angie says it’s a good idea to have the air tested to make sure there aren’t any microscopic asbestos fibers still floating around.
