Is It Safe To Have An Asbestos Roof

The result of the test will lead you to the next step.

Is it safe to have an asbestos roof.

If asbestos in the roof spreads this will lead to a health hazard making people breath in the cancer causing chemical that can result in lung cancer mesothelioma etc. Asbestos cement roofs were invented at the end of the 19th century. The epa asbestos web site contains general information on asbestos sources exposure and health effects what to do if you suspect asbestos training and laws and regulations. We probably all know what they look like and in fact we may have come across this type of roof in our daily lives.

An asbestos cement roof is fragile. Initially the roofs were introduced to make inexpensive but sturdy military housing however after. Asbestos is not toxic as such the problem to human health from asbestos is inhaled fibres in the lungs causing asbestosis. Your neighbour s may have asbestos roofs.

Asbestosis which is a permanent scarring of the lung tissue. Asbestos is widely regarded as a silent killer which can go often unnoticed and the idea of its presence in the building surrounding you is enough to create feelings of uneasiness and concern. If you walk on on an asbestos roof sheet it can give way without warning leading to serious injury or even death. Attempting ordinary maintenance like repairing or replacing individual tiles or shingles to preserve the overall roof or siding can create asbestos dust.

Furthermore asbestos roofing produces a higher asbestos concentration than other cement roof sheets. Consequently safe access systems must be in place before any work commences to both prevent and arrest falls from height. Over time these fibers can build up in your lungs causing lung cancer and mesothelioma a cancer of the lung and abdominal cavity lining. Asbestos cement roofing sheets are a feature of our lives.

It is not reasonable to repair most roofs or siding that have suffered significant deterioration or damage. Fibres that get washed off the roof into the rainwater butt will be damped down and can no more become airborn than the ones off the roof. The only way to know for sure whether your roof contains asbestos is to have a sample tested by professionals in a certified laboratory. Asbestos is a dangerous enough health risk that it even has a medical condition named for it.

If you are the building owner then there is an additional responsibility involved as you could be held culpable for the effects of the substance. You may live near an industrial area where there are many hectares of asbestos roofs and there may be other asbestos products that we do not know about that is close by. In asbestos roofing construction. The pragmatic answer to this question is simply this.