Asbestos is a group of 6 types of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat, fire, and many other chemicals. Because of these factors, in the past, asbestos was widely used in everyday products including building material and fire protective gear. It is now known that exposure to asbestos can be extremely dangerous, leading to many harmful diseases, such as mesothelioma, cancer, and other related illnesses.
Asbestos is odorless and tasteless and when present in can be detected through laboratory testing. Airborne asbestos is the most dangerous form of asbestos as the small airborne particles can easily travel into your lungs. Airborne asbestos is generally created when demolishing, repairing, or simply disturbing asbestos materials causing the fibers to dislodge and become airborne. This is potentially dangerous for anyone who comes into contact with airborne asbestos fibers as asbestos is a proven carcinogen.
Per regulations, it is important to note that in any building built in 1980 or before, all building materials that are scheduled to be demolished, renovated or disturbed in any way must be tested for asbestos content before proceeding.