Asbestos in Artex: The Real Threat

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Pharmeceutical-Medical )



THE MISUSED MINERAL

Asbestos has been a very useful mineral because of its high tolerance to heat and corrosive chemicals. It is an especially effective fire-proofing material because it is very resistant to burning.

These very qualities have made asbestos a particularly important ingredient of construction materials. Asbestos used to be a popular component of the textured ceiling and wall coverings like Artex. It was also incorporated in corrugated roofing, pipe work, wall boards, linoleum floor tiles, etc.

The problem with asbestos is that exposure to its fibers has been proven to be very dangerous and toxic. Over the years, there have been a huge number of asbestos related diseases like asbestos cancer which is also known as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other lung related illnesses.

ASBESTOS IN ARTEX

Artex was a very popular brand of surface coating that was commonly used for interior decorating. The presence of asbestos in artex has been found to cause quite a number of household illnesses. Asbestos in artex caused quite a stir because it was widely used in houses as a decorative element.

The discovery of the health hazards that asbestos caused has spawned a lot of asbestos litigation. The presence of asbestos in artex has generated a lot of court lawsuits and settlements.

The truth is that with proper handling and removal techniques, asbestos can be very benign.
To remove asbestos in artex for houses several decades old, use a wet artex remover. Never sand or cut the boards as the asbestos in artex will become dust that can be inhaled.

The danger depends on where and how the asbestos is applied. If the asbestos is located in places where the fibers cannot be dislodged and inhaled, then the risk the asbestos poses is very minimal. Like most chemicals, knowing how to deal with asbestos is our best protection.


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