Asbestos, for those who are not familiar, was a staple material in the construction industry during the 70s and 80s. It was a popular material among home builders because of its great insulation and fireproofing qualities.

In the past, asbestos used in homes provided excellent insulation and durability, contributing to the longevity of buildings and enhancing energy efficiency.

But four decades later, nobody uses asbestos anymore. Because it’s been found out that asbestos has negative health risks tied with it. The dust particles of asbestos, when inhaled, can lead to several lung diseases and complications.

That’s why if you think that your house was built in the 70s or 80s, and you suspect your vintage house of asbestos presence, the last thing you’d want to do is to renovate and remove it yourself. It would be best to use an asbestos test kit to check if there are any traces of suspicious material around your home.

We know you love DIYs, but trust us, home asbestos removal is not as simple as you think. It’s a job that must be done by professionals, not by inexperienced hands. If you try to tear the house down and you accidentally inhale some asbestos dust, you might find yourself gasping for air one day because of the lung complication.

Below are only some of the diseases that you can get when you try to mess with asbestos:

1. Asbestosis

You can inhale asbestos microfibres even without you knowing. And it can result in the scarring of your lungs called asbestosis. This disease will leave you gasping for air most of the time. And you know what happens when you’re always out of breath. You won’t be able to get enough oxygen that your body needs to function properly.

Believe it or not, this condition can even lead to cardiac failure if left untreated.

2. Lung Cancer

Who said only smokers can get lung cancer? If you try to hammer down your walls with suspected asbestos on them and accidentally inhale asbestos microfibres, you’ll be susceptible to lung cancer. Even if you’re a normal and healthy person.

That’s because asbestos dust can damage the tissues in your lungs and turn them into cancerous cells. And everything can go worse from there.

3. Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is another type of cancer, but a rare one. It’s a form of cancer that occurs only in the linings of your abdomen, lungs, chest, and heart. Some of the symptoms that come with this disease are difficulty in breathing and occasional chest pains.

But what makes this condition tricky to deal with is that doctors can only detect this type of cancer when it has already spread throughout your body. Unfortunately, patients who are diagnosed with this disease are only given by doctors 12 months to live.

Final Thoughts

Certainly, asbestos and the health risks that come with it are pretty scary. That’s why everyone should take it more seriously.

If your house is a modern build, you have nothing to worry about. But if you’ve got an old house built in the 70s or 80s, you probably should take more caution regarding home improvements in your home.

If you suspect asbestos presence in your home, never try to renovate by yourself by hammering the walls down or drilling anything on the columns. Applying force to the asbestos-filled areas will only increase your chance of inhaling it without you knowing.

The best thing that you can do is to look for a residential asbestos inspection and have your house inspected. Hiring a professional will help you understand the danger that’s lurking in your own home, and how you can manage or avoid it.

Once your house is inspected, the inspection company will whip up a report for you and make their expert recommendations. This is where you have to decide whether you’ll leave the asbestos right there or let other professionals remove them for you.

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

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