Asbestos used to be used quite frequently in construction for residential, commercial, and industrial building projects. Asbestos was valued for its heat resistance and fiber strength, promoting its use in many building materials such as roofing shingles, ceilings, wall boards, plaster, floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products. It was also used in heat resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings. Buildings constructed in or around Florence can be old enough to have these materials in them, predating the EPA bans on asbestos.
Where asbestos may be found:
Exposure to asbestos fibers normally occurs by inhalation. This happens usually during a remodeling project or demolition where asbestos containing items are disturbed and the dust enters the air. In the past, the health hazards of asbestos were not known, so workers or homeowners did remodeling work without proper equipment. It wasn’t until many years later that the health effects of asbestos inhalation manifested itself as lung problems. You may want to have your building tested in Florence before any major project is began.
Here at Pinnacle, we use the most advanced techniques to detect asbestos. We employ multiple techniques such as Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to identify asbestos down to a tenth of a micrometer. Using the same methods as the EPA, we are able to deliver precise results, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your test.
Many years go by before the health effects of asbestos exposure become apparent. Some people have been exposed to asbestos without knowing it. Your healthcare provider will need to take a detailed history of your past work experience and potential exposures in order to determine that your illness was caused by asbestos. Smoking greatly increases the risk of any lung diseases, including asbestos related disease.
If your healthcare provider is suspicious of asbestos as the cause of your illness based on history, they will do many tests to determine the causes including a physical exam, X-rays and potentially biopsies. Once it is determined you may be suffering from an asbestos related disease, you will likely be referred to a specialist who is an expert in these illnesses.
