January 4th, 2008

When doing home repairs, some owners know the importance of testing for asbestos. For those that cannot afford to hire someone to do the testing, at home kits can be helpful.

People doing renovations on their home should take precautions when removing materials that can contain asbestos, such as flooring or popcorn ceilings. One way to test if a material contains asbestos is to hire a licensed professional. But home kits are also available at some home improvement stores and can be helpful if precautions are taken. Most kits will have instructions on how to test a substance safely, normally including protective gear for the eyes, hands and mouth.

Though testing can be done at home, it is always better to have a licensed professional conduct the work since exposed asbestos can present a health concern. When asbestos is disturbed, it can break into airborne pieces that can be breathed in. Inhaling asbestos particles can lead to emphysema, asbestosis and a type of deadly lung cancer called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the result of asbestos particles being stuck to the lining of the lungs and keeping them from absorbing oxygen.