Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials for decades due to its heat resistance, strength, and insulating properties. However, it’s now known to cause serious health problems such as lung cancer and mesothelioma when its fibers are inhaled into the lungs. As a property owner, it’s crucial to understand how asbestos testing works to safeguard the health of occupants.
The first step towards asbestos testing is identifying potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These can be found in various parts of older buildings constructed before 1980 when the use of asbestos was prevalent. ACMs could include roofing shingles, floor tiles, insulation material around boilers or pipes, textured paint or patching compounds on walls and ceilings among others.
Once potential ACMs have been identified within your property, you should never try to collect samples by yourself. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can easily become airborne during the sampling process if not handled properly. Therefore, it’s essential that an accredited professional do this task. They have undergone rigorous training on proper sampling techniques and safety procedures to reduce the risk of exposure.
Professionals typically perform two types of tests: bulk sample analysis and air monitoring. Bulk sample analysis involves taking small pieces from each suspected ACM and sending them off to a laboratory for examination under a microscope by trained analysts who determine whether they contain asbestos fibers.
Air monitoring entails measuring the concentration of airborne asbestos fibers within your property using specialized equipment like air pumps with filters that trap particles for later lab analysis. This test is particularly important after any removal work has been done on ACMs since this activity may release additional fibers into the air.
Once testing is complete, you will receive a comprehensive report detailing whether there are any ACMs present in your property along with their location(s) and condition(s). If positive results are found indicating that there’s an immediate risk due to damaged or disturbed materials releasing dangerous fibres into the air, an asbestos abatement plan should be put into place. This involves safely removing or encapsulating the ACMs by professionals to prevent further exposure.
It’s worth noting that asbestos is not always harmful if it’s in good condition and left undisturbed. Therefore, sometimes the best course of action might be to leave it in place but monitor its condition over time.
In conclusion, being a property owner comes with the responsibility of ensuring your building is safe for occupancy. asbestos testing is a crucial part of this process if you own older properties. It helps identify any potential risks and allows you to take appropriate action to mitigate them. By hiring accredited professionals for testing and possible removal or encapsulation work, you are taking significant steps towards safeguarding the health of all occupants within your property.
