| The question often asked these days is whether | | | | problems and other health issues. It is believed |
| asbestos is still a hazard to people. As many ads | | | | that short high exposures to asbestos is not |
| as we see on TV talking about Mesothelioma, one | | | | harmful and even long term, very low level |
| would think that asbestos is still a real threat to | | | | exposures is not that harmful. It is the long term, |
| our home air quality. Research seems to indicate it | | | | high exposures that cause the problems. |
| is not. | | | | So what can be done? Since most respirable |
| Asbestos was used in many building materials in | | | | asbestos fibers are totally invisible to the human |
| the 19th century because is was found to have | | | | eye because their size, the only thing you can do |
| some great properties. It actually is a naturally | | | | is make sure there is none in your home or you |
| occurring silicate mineral. It has long fibrous | | | | can filter these particles with a good air purifier. It |
| crystals and can withstand very high heat.. It is | | | | is always best to remove the source of any |
| the long fibrous crystals that cause the problems | | | | contaminate than to filter it, but home air filters, |
| in our lungs. Asbestos was used in buildings in the | | | | such a Blueair filter system can remove these |
| US through the 1970s. It was used to fireproof | | | | particles if they exist. You must make sure you |
| roofing and flooring, for heat insulation, and for a | | | | get a HEPA filter system as the size of these |
| host of other purposes. | | | | particles is about 3.0-20.0 microns long and can be |
| Asbestos actually becomes a health concern | | | | as thin as 0.01 micron. Human hair ranges in size |
| when high concentrations of the fibers are inhaled | | | | from 17 to 181 microns in width, so you can |
| over a long period of time. This can occur when | | | | understand how very small the asbestos fiber is. |
| the fibers are broken loose as they are very light | | | | The bottom line in all this is that asbestos is really |
| and remain airborne easily. It is hard to imagine, | | | | not much of a threat to our home air quality for |
| but there are many particles of dust and other | | | | most of the population. Older homes may need to |
| matter floating in the air you are breathing right | | | | be inspected if asbestos is suspected, and a good |
| now. When he inhale asbestos fibers they can get | | | | home air purifier can significantly reduce this |
| trapped in our lungs and eventually cause very | | | | hazard. |
| small irritation sites that lead to breathing | | | | |