How To Interpret Asbestos Test Results

Asbestos Is Still In Buildings, Products and the Environment

Even though the E.P.A. banned the manufacture, import, and sale of most asbestos products in the late 1980s, many American homes and offices remain contaminated. While asbestos is not necessarily dangerous when it is trapped behind walls and sealed beneath flooring, any renovation work could unsettle asbestos-affected materials, sending microscopic asbestos fibers airborne. If these fibers are inhaled, they could present a significant health hazard.

If you believe your home could contain asbestos materials, you might need to order an asbestos test before performing renovations or reworking any existing construction features. However, asbestos testing services do not always provide a detailed breakdown of their report results. 

Understanding Asbestos 

Asbestos is a category of naturally occurring minerals. People have used asbestos for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks, for instance, operated asbestos mines on the Island of Evvoia, incorporating mineral fibers into cloth and linen.

However, asbestos became increasingly popular in modern times. In the early 20^th century, asbestos was even referred to as a “miracle mineral,” renowned for its strength, resiliency, and heat-resistant properties. 

Today, the dangers of asbestos are well-known and well-documented. Unfortunately, asbestos’ resiliency is what makes it so hazardous to human health; when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get trapped inside the lungs. Over time, they may accumulate, embedding themselves in lung tissue.

The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos in Modern Homes

For most of the 20th century, asbestos was used in residential buildings and building materials of all kinds.

The asbestos industry has known for decades that its products could cause health problems. 

However, big asbestos companies spent millions of dollars downplaying the dangers. Even when scientists confirmed in the 1920s and 1930s that asbestos workers were at elevated risk for lung cancer and asbestosis, the industry continued to advertise the utility of its many products. 

Asbestos was everywhere, from automotive parts to wall paint. 

Although the E.P.A. took steps to ban the use of asbestos in construction between the 1970s and late 1980s, the federal government never ordered contractors to remove asbestos-contaminated materials from pre-built homes. 

If your home was built between the 1920s and 1970s, you should presume that it is asbestos contaminated. Asbestos materials could be found in your home or office in:

	Asphalt roof shingles
	Vinyl floor tiles
	Wall and ceiling insulation
	Carpet underlay
	Pipe materials and insulating tape
	Heating ducts
	Furnace wrap and insulation
	Paint

When You Might Need an Asbestos Test 

Asbestos-Related Illnesses Can Take Up To Five Decades To Appear

You do not need to panic if your home was built before the EPA’s wide-ranging asbestos bans; when asbestos is left undisturbed, it does not pose a significant health risk. However, asbestos could be unsettled after decades of dormancy. 

You might need to get an asbestos test if:

• You are renovating your home 
• You are removing or replacing original home carpeting or floor tiles
• You are tearing down a wall 
• You are doing any other work that could involve asbestos-contaminated materials 

Asbestos, unfortunately, cannot be detected by the human eye. In most cases, only a trained professional can confirm the presence of asbestos in home construction products. If you believe your home could contain asbestos, you may be able to submit a sample of suspected asbestos materials to an asbestos testing company. States, counties, and cities provide lists of registered asbestos testing companies and licensed asbestos removal services.

Reading Your Asbestos Test Results 

Every asbestos testing company will format its laboratory results differently. However, most laboratory reports share some common features:

• The report letterhead should list the licensed asbestos testing company’s name and contact information, including a phone number 

• The report should include your name and property address 

• You may be assigned a unique case number or work report, which you will need to reference if you have any questions about your results 

• The body of the laboratory report will likely present a list of all the samples you submitted, including descriptions of the material

• Some companies will list the percentage of asbestos in any given sample, or simply indicate “Asbestos Detected” or “None Detected” 

Since every asbestos testing service will have its own format for laboratory reports, you should contact the company if you have any questions about your results and their implications. 

If asbestos is detected in your home, you should exercise extreme caution when handling any contaminated materials. If you cannot safely isolate, remove, and dispose of the asbestos products, you may need to seek professional assistance.

What to Do If You Suspect You Were Exposed To Asbestos 

Asbestos symptoms can take decades to develop. However, some asbestos-related problems, such as asbestos rash symptoms, could appear quickly. 

If you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider. A physician can perform additional medical procedures, such as a chest x-ray, to see whether you have significant and potentially dangerous accumulations of asbestos in your lungs.

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.