3 ms·

It is correct that asbestos that is encapsulated and not releasing anything into the atmosphere is perfectly safe. It's not like it's radioactive. The problem i

It is correct that asbestos that is encapsulated and not releasing anything into the atmosphere is perfectly safe. It's not like it's radioactive. The problem is when you do any kind of renovations and break up and release the asbestos particles. Unfortunately, asbestos removal does exactly that. If it's not done properly it turns a safe situation into a health risk. And proper removal is expensive. A low-cost bid for asbestos removal is more than likely going to leave you with a bigger mess than you had to start with.

beenBoutIT 8y ago
IRL isn't the problem with asbestos limited to workers who come into contact with asbestos every day in an industrial setting? Busting up asbestos in the course of a remodel(or a dozen remodels) isn't enough exposure to cause any of the chronic problems asbestos is so famous for, IIRC.
- cam_l 8y ago
  This is absolutely not true and is quite dangerous advice. The problem with workers who worked with asbestos in factories or mines is that a very high percentage of them got Mesothelioma, and within a relatively short time frame - maybe 15 - 20 years. People exposed for a short term like with house renos, typically take up to 45years for it to occur.[0] It kills something like 90% of people within 5 years of diagnosis. And it is a painful and horrible way to die. Maybe 30% of new cases being diagnosed currently in the US are from builders or home renovators, rather than miners. [0]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741803/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741803/