I suspect the home I am living in has used some asbestos in is walls. Asbestos causes a serious lung condition in the long run. How can I tell if asbestos was used? What if it is not on the surface of the walls? If it is removed, how do I know some traces do not stay in the air?
Thanks.
Best Answer
Depending on where you live abstos abatement can be a DIY project but to answer your question if not disturbed and or encapsulated with paint there is no risk. The risk comes from disturbing it. Things like popcorn ceiling texture many times had asbestos in it. What is the risk to remove asbestos? If done with the proper equipment and decontamination procedures there is not much risk at all. People worked for years in plants without having problems others maybe just a few exposures were enough. Many building materials used to contain asbestos some of the more common ones are pipe insulation not the pink glass more like a cardboard material, flooring many types of square tiles and even rolled flooring. Siding most was like shingles, and popcorn ceilings as mentioned above. I would not be concerned about living in a home that had it but would have materials tested before doing any remodeling. Then find out what your local code is. In my area if double bagged and taken directly to a land fill not a transfer station it is legal to do your own work. Things like respirators, tyvek suits rubber boots &gloves are some items needed to do it safely.