Being exposed to asbestos dust can put your health at serious risk and, if exposure occurs over a long period, can even be life threatening. Asbestos fibres can lodge in the lungs leading to lifelong health complications running anywhere from respiratory disease to cancer.

When people know they have been exposed to asbestos exposure, there can be an assumption that part of the symptoms of this would occur in an obvious and immediate way (such as skin irritation, difficulty breathing or some other discomfort or pain). However, part of what makes asbestos so hazardous is that symptoms of exposure occur only when asbestos-caused disease occurs and the damage has been done. This isn’t to say early detection is not a factor to recovery, and knowing these symptoms can be life saving information.

Asbestos has an interesting reputation: most people know that it is bad to have it in a building, and needs removing. However, there tends to be less understanding about how and when it is dangerous, what to do if you are exposed to it, and why it is bad in the first place. At Ryno’s, knowing these answers is part of the core value we provide, ensuring only the most safe and secure removal of asbestos through understanding the fibrous material and how it works. If, however, exposure has occurred before we’ve been able to do that, it’s important to keep a close eye on the symptoms of asbestos contact and seek medical attention immediately.

Given the corrosion and heat proof nature of asbestos (the very reason it was utilised in the first place), it was most commonly used in the walls, ceilings, pipes and tiles for insulation purposes. While asbestos is dangerous in any part of a building, it is considered less so when in floor tiles. This doesn’t mean you can be careless with its removal, however. There are procedures and processes for the safe removal of asbestos floor tiles.