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If you have a home built any time from 1930 to the late 1970s, it is possible that asbestos exists. Although banned in 1974, this material remains in structures throughout the country. If you suspect you might have asbestos in your home, or you simply want peace of mind, contact a reputable company for asbestos testing in Toronto.

The Dangers of Asbestos

To better understand why a professional should complete asbestos testing , some of the dangers associated with this substance are listed below. Please note that as long as asbestos remains undisturbed, it poses no threat. However, if moved or handled, small fibres may become airborne and inhaled by humans and animals.

• Asbestosis – Inhaled asbestos spores can lead to Asbestosis, a non-cancerous, yet serious and chronic respiratory disease. In this case, the spores irritate tissue within the lungs, which leads to scarring. In advanced cases, Asbestosis can cause heart failure.
• Mesothelioma – This rare type of cancer develops in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, abdomen, chest, and on rare occasions, the heart.
• Lung Cancer – People exposed to asbestos have an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Asbestos Testing Service: What It Covers

A professional asbestos worker will come to your home and inspect areas of concern to you, such as walls or ceilings if you are planning a renovation. If it is not obvious that there is or is not asbestos, the asbestos professional can do sampling in the area. While at your home, the professional can inspect other areas of your for materials that likely have asbestos.

The asbestos professional will send the samples to an accredited laboratory for the asbestos testing.

Depending on what the areas of concern are, a professional asbestos testing service will use different types sampling.

• Air Testing – This sample is taken by drawing air into an asbestos collecting cartridge which is then sent to the lab for testing. The lab will determine the volume of asbestos fibers in the air.
• Material Samples – Because builders used asbestos in multiple materials, the professional may sampleitems like floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, sheetrock, joint compound, insulation, and so on. These samples are put into a sealable bag and sent to the laboratory for testing. The lab will determine the volume of asbestos fibres in the material.