We might all be wondering what really is Asbestos and why it is so dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that
once was lauded for its versatility, recognized for its heat
resistance, tensile strength and insulating properties, and used for
everything from fire-proof vests to home and commercial construction. It
was woven into fabric, and mixed with cement.
With the rise of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma
from asbestos exposure, it has sounded an alarm with the general
public. People everywhere are beginning to wonder if they, or their
families, have been exposed to asbestos in their homes or somewhere else
in their day-to-day life. A lot of people are under the impression that
asbestos only lies in certain building materials, like siding. However,
these deadly fibers can be present in a lot of other places as well.
1. Inside the Home
One of the shocking places that asbestos can be found is actually on the inside of the home.
Take a close look at the ceiling because some of the materials that
were used several years ago to add texture to ceilings may contain
asbestos. While this cannot be seen with the naked eye, if your ceiling
appears to have the famous popcorn texture or is made up of tiles, it is
possible that it may contain asbestos.
2. Flame Resistant Material
When you are looking for
asbestos, do not rule out everyday items that you may use on a daily
basis. Flame resistant materials are one of the most common items that
often contain asbestos.
3. Antique Appliances
It is
possible for you to be exposed to asbestos by certain antique appliances
that you have in your home. People are often shocked to hear that the
heating elements that are contained within their hair dryers and popcorn
poppers often have asbestos in the insulators. This is especially true
in older appliances.
4. Cigarette Filters
If you are a
smoker, you may be shocked to learn that you have been readily placing
asbestos fibers right up to your mouth. It is a little known fact that
some cigarette filters have been found to contain small amounts of
asbestos. This is just another reason to quit smoking.
5. Baby Powder Containing Talc
One
of the most shocking asbestos harboring materials is something that you
may have even used for your child. Many of the older baby powders
contain talc. It has been proven that some talcum powder contains
asbestos fibers. You should always look for alternative baby powder that
contains cornstarch as an active ingredient.
Now that you know
that asbestos could be lurking in many surprising places, you will be
more equipped to protect yourself from the dangers of diseases that
asbestos exposure can cause. When it comes time to do some spring
cleaning or any home renovations, be sure to take extra caution to
prevent you and your loved ones from coming into contact with asbestos.
So we should all be very keen with our surrounding materials because little do we know they can all be harming us.
