The debris of fire-damaged structures could contain asbestos, a carcinogenic substance. |
Older buildings
damaged or destroyed by fires may leave behind asbestos in their
charred remains. Such debris can cause serious harm to people who
inhale it or ingest it. Once commonly used as a building material in
buildings across South Florida and across the nation, asbestos has
become known as one of the more carcinogenic substances out there.
Companies have largely stopped using it altogether, although traces
of the substance remain in many structures built prior to the 1980s.
People exposed to asbestos often experience breathing difficulties,
although they may not develop cancers until years, or even decades,
later. Many homeowners, property owners and property managers have
proactively tried to eliminate this hazardous substance before it can
cause harm. In South Florida, people can enlist asbestos abatement fort lauderdale firms to test for, and get rid of, asbestos in
buildings and in outdoor spaces.
Public safety
professional and health experts say that people should avoid the
areas around burned-down buildings, if at all possible, and use
caution to avoid contact with the debris from these buildings.
Buildings and homes damaged by fires could put people’s health in
jeopardy, not only from airborne contaminants like asbestos and dust,
but also from the structures themselves. Fire-damaged buildings could
suddenly collapse, imperiling anyone in the vicinity. Debris or dust
from these buildings could contain asbestos, and people could
unknowingly carry microscopic asbestos fibers into their homes or
workplaces if they walk in the vicinity of asbestos-containing
buildings.
In Miami area
locations like North Miami Beach, Doral, South Beach, Cutler Bay and
Hialeah, residents can take measures to protect themselves and their
families from the potential danger of asbestos in their homes. They
can hire asbestos removal miami companies to determine the extent of
asbestos in houses, condos and other structures and eliminate the
substance before it causes diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.