If you are the owner of an older home and you discover that it contains asbestos, you might be wondering: “Is it always necessary to have asbestos removed from your home?”

Unfortunately, there is not a simple answer to this question. While the asbestos in your Morton Grove, Illinois home might not necessarily be dangerous, it could become dangerous at any given moment.

Below, we will discuss not only when asbestos becomes dangerous, but the ways in which it can be dangerous as well. We hope that you — by reading this post — will be better informed.

When Does Asbestos Become Dangerous?

If you have asbestos in your home, it’s more than likely contained in your home’s insulation. If so, and if your insulation is not visibly damaged in any way, the asbestos in your home might not be particularly harmful.

However, you should know that the second your insulation cracks or becomes damaged in some manner, the asbestos that is contained inside of it can be released into the air. It’s at this point that it becomes a real danger to your health.

When asbestos particles are released into the air, they can be easily inhaled. The more asbestos particles a person inhales, the better chance that person has of developing a dangerous medical condition. 

The Potential Dangers of Asbestos

Deciding on whether or not you’ll have your asbestos removed comes down to weighing the risks. Should asbestos particles be released into your home’s atmosphere, you will be at greater risk of contracting the following diseases:

Asbestosis

Perhaps the mildest disease you might take on as a result of prolonged asbestos exposure is asbestosis. This is a disease that causes shortness of breath, excess coughing, and pain within the chest.

Though this disease itself is not deadly, it is often a precursor to deadly cancers. These cancers include mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Mesothelioma

The disease that is most commonly associated with asbestos is mesothelioma. This is a form of cancer which affects the lining of the heart and of the lungs. It is very often fatal, with a late-stage, 5-year survival percentage of just 9%.

Mesothelioma is not only a deadly disease, it is a painful one as well. It has been known to cause excess coughing, severe shortness of breath, and extreme chest pain.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be caused by a variety of different entities, with asbestos being one of them. While lung cancer isn’t quite as deadly as mesothelioma, it is still known as a very deadly disease.

Those who contract lung cancer can likely expect some of the same painful effects associated with mesothelioma: shortness of breath, excess coughing, and severe chest pain.

Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is a disease in which fluid perpetually fills the lungs. Caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, its effects include shortness of breath, severe cough, and chest pain.

While not a fatal disease in and of itself, pleural effusion will often turn into a fatal disease within a few years of presenting itself. In most cases, individuals who suffer from pleural effusion will eventually suffer from cancer.

Searching for an Asbestos Removal Company in Morton Grove?

Have you decided? Ready to rid your home of asbestos? Searching for an asbestos removal service in Morton Grove, Illinois? If so, we here at Axis Response Group are the people to see.

Experienced, certified, and professional, we can remove every trace of asbestos from your home in a safe and professional manner.

Contact us now to start the process!