What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of highly fibrous minerals with long, separable and thin fibers. Asbestos fibers are heat resistant, making them useful for many industrial purposes.

Asbestos has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Because asbestos fibers are resistant to heat and most chemicals, they have been mined for use in over 3,000 different products, including brake pads, roofing materials and cement pipe often used in water distribution. Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in furnace and pipe insulation materials, shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles.

Higher concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur after materials containing asbestos are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people that become exposed.

Asbestos can be identified only by a trained analyst using a specialized microscope. The analysts at LA Asbestos Testing Lab can determine whether you're being exposed to asbestos at your home or office. Contact us today.