Get matched with top percolation testing pros in Wecota, SD

Unfortunately, asbestos is not easily identified and can often be hidden in plain sight in your home. While it can look like fluffy fibers, tiny pieces can also appear in materials like plastic or cement, making it impossible to identify on your own properly.

Plus, since asbestos is so dangerous when disturbed, you should never root around to try and find it. This job is best for a professional who can test for the material properly.

Bathroom tiles can contain asbestos, just the same as patio tiles or kitchen tiles. Remember that asbestos was used primarily for its insulative and fire-resistant properties, both of which are desired in a house. Before we knew asbestos caused cancers and other diseases, it made a lot of sense to include it in many different building materials, including bathroom tiles.

If you own a stereo microscope, you should be able to see the fibers. The stereo microscope often can perform magnification up to 50x. But unless you have experience viewing asbestos fibers, you may not know exactly what you are seeing. Some fibers are curly, while others are long and straight. Blue, brown, white, and gray colored fibers are all possible.

Asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it increases the risk of cancer. Inhaling asbestos fibers is linked to several respiratory issues, including asbestosis, or scarring on the lungs, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, another type of cancer. There's also a link between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of colon cancer and other cancers of the digestive system.

Usually, the people most at risk for disease related to asbestos exposure are those who spend a lot of time working around the material without protection. Electricians who work with asbestos wire have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer due to their exposure.