What does asbestos do to humans?

• <div><p>When asbestos fibers become airborne, they enter a person's respiratory system. These fibers scar and damage the lungs and often lead to serious cancers like mesothelioma. Like many dangers in the house, asbestos isn’t easy to see when it could be causing serious damage. The amount of time exposed, combined with the person’s tolerance for asbestos inhalation and the amount inhaled, will all contribute to health problems.</p></div>

How long does it take for asbestos to harm you?

• <div><p>According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos-related diseases can take anywhere from <b>10 to 40 years</b> for symptoms to appear. The health risks increase with prolonged and heavier exposure. Risk factors also include:</p><ul><li><p>Amount of exposure</p></li><li><p>Chemical makeup, size, and shape of the asbestos fibers</p></li><li><p>Length of time a person is exposed to asbestos</p></li><li><p>Genetic factors </p></li><li><p>Source of exposure (direct exposure or secondhand exposure from someone directly exposed)</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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*The Angi rating for Percolation Testing companies in Birmingham, MI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Percolation Testing needs.

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Last update on March 08, 2025

Reviewed in March 2025
Adam came out to do asbestos testing. He looked at all the posssible asbestos in our home and was able to confirm what did and did not contain asbestos. He advised me to not have it sent to use his lab testing services saving us money while gave us the peace of mind to continue the renovation....
Southeast Abatement, LLC
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Reviewed in February 2020
Personal attention and explanation of the process. Made a thorough inspection of the best. I received written results of the testing and a personal phone call to explain the various results.
Universal Environmental Solutions, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2019
The project went well from start to finish with an acceptable post remediation mold test of the entire apartment. Everything was done on time and on budget with no surprises. So far we have been very pleased!
Pur360
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Reviewed in June 2019
Length of time to wait for test results unsatisfactory.
Mold Test Company MI
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Reviewed in February 2018
Took a little while to get an appointment as they have one gentleman who does this testing. On the day of the appointment, he was on time, and was professional. The backflow tested out fine and he faxed it the city. Price was comparable to some other providers (probably close to median).
Cregger Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
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Reviewed in February 2018
Excellent! They were super helpful in demonstrating how to perform and how the process worked. Instructions were very straightforward. Quick test results and detailed analysis. This a great service provided by very competent folks, with great customer service!
Absolute Laboratories Inc
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Reviewed in January 2018
Insulation was tested and came back negative for asbestos!
BDS Environmental
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Percolation Tests questions, answered by experts

When asbestos fibers become airborne, they enter a person's respiratory system. These fibers scar and damage the lungs and often lead to serious cancers like mesothelioma. Like many dangers in the house, asbestos isn’t easy to see when it could be causing serious damage. The amount of time exposed, combined with the person’s tolerance for asbestos inhalation and the amount inhaled, will all contribute to health problems.

While asbestos can’t be directly absorbed through the skin—the fibers are too big—skin contact can still produce symptoms. Contact dermatitis can flare up in sensitive individuals but in most cases, the danger from asbestos comes from inhaling the fibers, or dust, that is produced when asbestos is disturbed. If you touch asbestos by accident, immediately wash yourself and your clothes.

Asbestos is absolutely cancerous. In fact, around 4% of all lung cancer cases are the result of asbestos exposure. This is why we recommend a full, professional removal and cleaning of any asbestos found in your home. If you are unsure whether there is any present, you should call a pro who will inspect your property.

There are products that still contain asbestos, but they were typically installed decades ago. Common places where you may still find asbestos-containing materials are in siding, wrapped around ductwork, in older appliances (i.e., stove and gravity furnaces), and in floors. Asbestos was primarily used as an insulator, so anywhere in an older home where you lose heat is where you will most likely find asbestos.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos-related diseases can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years for symptoms to appear. The health risks increase with prolonged and heavier exposure. Risk factors also include:

Amount of exposure
Chemical makeup, size, and shape of the asbestos fibers
Length of time a person is exposed to asbestos
Genetic factors
Source of exposure (direct exposure or secondhand exposure from someone directly exposed)

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