Asbestos has a large number of negative effects on your health. Asbestos in your home or rental can lead to:

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• Asbestosis - A slow build-up of scar-like tissue in the lungs that impairs the ability of the lungs and heart to adequately provide oxygen to the body. This is a serious disease and may take 20 to 30 years to develop after exposure.  Asbestosis can eventually lead to disability or death in people exposed to high amounts of asbestos.

• Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma - Lung cancer starts within the respiratory tissues. Mesothelial cancer grows from the thin membranes that surround the lung or the abdominal cavities. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma are usually fatal. These asbestos-related diseases do not appear immediately, but may develop 20 to 50 years after exposure.

• Pleural Plaques - The pleura is the area of the chest where the lungs sit.  A thickening of the pleura can occur which can impair lung function.  Pleural plaques (a gelatinous substance) can also occur, typically after about 15 years from being exposed to airborne asbestos fibers.

 

Asbestos may be hiding in your siding, floor tiles, or vinyl sheet flooring. There are a number of methods to test for asbestos; the main three are Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and children are especially susceptible. Get your home tested today to keep your family and your tenants safe.