Asbestos was once widely used in construction. Home builders would use asbestos to reinforce and strengthen everything from ironing boards and pipe insulation to vinyl floor tiles. While the federal government banned the manufacture and sale of most asbestos products in 1989, many older homes remain contaminated. If your home was constructed before the late 1980s, it could contain asbestos-based flooring, insulation, or paint. These asbestos products do not present any significant danger when they are left undisturbed. However, home renovations and construction could cause otherwise stable asbestos fibers to scatter, creating a serious health risk.

The Dangers of Asbestos Dust 

Asbestos, when left alone, is not necessarily dangerous. When asbestos remains underneath carpets, wrapped around heating ducts, and behind walls, it presents little risk to home-owners and occupants. However, asbestos is easily disturbed. Any significant renovation could release asbestos fibers into the air. 

Scientists believe there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. While most people who develop asbestos-related health conditions spent years working with the mineral, short-term exposures can still be dangerous, especially when there is a significant amount of asbestos dust in the air. 

When asbestos fibers are inhaled and enter the respiratory system, they can get trapped inside the lungs. These fibers can accumulate, causing severe health problems years after an initial exposure. 

People who have inhaled asbestos fibers are at risk for: 

  • Lung scarring 
  • Lung inflammation 
  • Asbestosis 
  • Mesothelioma 
  • Lung cancer
  • Cancers of larynx and ovaries 
  • Cancers of the stomach, pharynx, and colorectum 

How Long Asbestos Can Remain in the Air?

When asbestos fibers are released, they can stay in the air for 48-72 hours. 

Airborne asbestos can be difficult to detect: individual asbestos fibers cannot be seen by the naked eye, nor can they be smelled. In fact, asbestos fibers can be 10 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Oftentimes, asbestos fibers can only be identified by trained professionals a laboratory or under a microscope. 

What to Do If You Suspect There is Asbestos in the Air? 

Any exposure to asbestos could increase an individual’s risk for mesothelioma and other serious health disorders. 

Since asbestos fibers are so small, any disturbance sufficient to send them airborne could cause the fibers to travel. They could contaminate other rooms, or be carried by the wind to off-site locations. You need to act quickly: 

  • Inform everyone working in the area or otherwise occupying the structure that there is an asbestos risk 
  • Identify the potential site of asbestos exposure and cordon it if possible 
  • While wearing safety equipment, including a face mask and disposable clothing, clear any dust or debris 
  • Destroy or decontaminate any equipment that could be carrying residual asbestos fibers 
  • Check with your family members or coworkers, ensuring that they destroy or decontaminate any exposed clothing and tools 

If you believe you may have disturbed asbestos in a home, office, or other structure, you should immediately contact your local health authority. Most states and cities offer asbestos testing services and maintain public lists of licensed asbestos removal companies. 

Some businesses will also be able to conduct air quality tests to see if the asbestos fibers have scattered to or contaminated any surrounding sites. 

If you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you may qualify for compensation without filing a lawsuit.

There are still over $30 Billion dollars placed in Asbestos Trusts. The money can only be used to compensate people with asbestos-related illnesses like asbestosis, pleural thickening, mesothelioma and other cancers.

All we do is help people get compensation from Asbestos Trusts.

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information helps you. If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, including testing for exposure or how to file a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190.