Sunday, August 7, 2016

Popcorn Ceilings Represent Another Potential Source of Asbestos in Homes

Popcorn ceilings in homes, especially those built before the 1980s, may contain asbestos, a potentially harmful substance.
Although asbestos does not pose a threat to people when stable, this highly toxic substance can cause serious harm to people’s health when its fibers become airborne, and this dangerous building material lurks in many homes across South Florida. Home builders often used asbestos or materials that contain asbestos in various aspects of construction, including in flooring, insulation and ceilings. The popcorn ceilings found in older homes across the area, in locations like Boca Raton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hialeah, West Palm Beach and Jupiter, may include asbestos. Popcorn ceilings installed before the 1980s typically have asbestos, potentially putting people at risk of asbestos exposure when the ceilings get damaged or disturbed. Businesses that offer asbestos abatement miami services can help homeowners address asbestos concerns throughout their homes. These firms help customers identify asbestos in condominiums, apartment buildings, houses and other structures.

The use of asbestos-laden popcorn ceilings largely phased out in the 1980s, but builders used such ceilings for decades in buildings across Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County and across the nation. Unfortunately, many older townhouses, villas, condos and houses built in the decades prior to the 80s carry this potentially dangerous building material. Contact companies that offer asbestos removal fort lauderdale services to learn more about the process and cost of eliminating asbestos from residential buildings, commercial locations and other places.

Exposure to asbestos, particularly long-term asbestos exposure, can lead to serious medical problems, including some that can prove fatal. Asbestos fibers can do substantial damage to people’s lungs, as well as cause different forms of cancer. Some people exposed to asbestos have developed diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and numerous respiratory conditions. Breathing in asbestos fibers may not lead to immediate symptoms, but people may develop medical problems years or even decades later.

Consider hiring asbestos remediation companies to find and get rid of asbestos in your South Florida home.