Asbestos exposure: steps to take for your safety
With an estimated one in three Australian homes containing some form of asbestos-based product, there is a significant risk of asbestos exposure when renovating or doing DIY jobs on your house. Asbestos fibres are released into the air when any material containing them is damaged or disturbed. The dust created when asbestos is crushed is not like ordinary dust, it breaks into tiny hollow fibres, too small to see or feel.
At JMB Environmental Consulting, we understand the risks involved with this ubiquitous substance and take the business of asbestos monitoring in Sydney very seriously. We’re certain it would be a weight off your mind and a serious step towards ensuring the safety of your family and friends to let our team of professionals come and take an asbestos sample in Sydney.
What to do next if you think you may have experienced asbestos exposure
If you think you may have experienced asbestos exposure, the first thing to do is remain calm and in control. Leave nothing to chance and seek medical help as soon as possible. Explain the situation to your healthcare provider, and they will perform an asbestos exposure test, determining to what degree you have come into contact with the troublesome fibres.
While it is a very dangerous substance with some potentially terrible side effects, it is important to remember that asbestos exposure does not mean an immediate death sentence, especially if very brief, and rapid and effective steps were taken thereafter. If the results of your asbestos exposure test indicate you have been affected, the effects of asbestos in the lungs are cumulative over time and can be mitigated or removed completely given enough notice and a reasonably low level of exposure.
The symptoms of asbestos exposure
It may be you are unaware of having experienced any accidental asbestos exposure at the time and find yourself experiencing some or all of the following symptoms of asbestos exposure later:
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Persistent cough, worsening with time
- Blood in any fluid ejected from the lungs
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Itchy skin and/or light-blue warts formed around asbestos fibres under the skin
- Swallowing problems and loss of voice
- Swelling, particularly the neck or face
The more serious symptoms of asbestos exposure may take between five and twenty years to develop and generally cause serious health issues.
How do I clean my house after asbestos exposure?
Under no circumstances must you try and clear any property of asbestos material by yourself. Not only is it highly dangerous and fraught with risk but it is a legal requirement that it is carried out by licensed professionals. If it is determined your property has asbestos present, then clearing it is the final step in the process and an asbestos clearance certificate will be issued to verify the area is safe for normal use once completed.
Contact us
If you have any questions or comments about our services here at JMB Environmental Consulting, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. Speak to one of our experienced, knowledgeable consultants about asbestos monitoring in Sydney, and let them guide you from there.
