What is it?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral found on virtually every contintent. Composed of durable, long and narrow fibers, asbestos is flame retardant and easily binds with materials often used in construction. For these reasons, it was used extensively in residential and commercial buildings between 1920 and 1978 until health concerns prompted government regulations that prohibited the use of asbestos in new construction.

Potential Health Concerns:
All types of asbestos fibers are dangerous if you breathe them, but one cannot usually detect when asbestos is in the air or when it’s damaging your lungs. Since asbestos won’t make you cough or sneeze and it does not generally irritate your skin or throat, it’s often hard to detect when you have come into contact with asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers get into the air when asbestos materials are damaged, disturbed or removed unsafely. When asbestos is crushed, it does not make ordinary dust. It breaks into tiny fibers which are too small to see, feel or taste.

Laboratory studies and studies of asbestos workers show us that asbestos can make you sick. If you breathe asbestos fibers, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases.

> Asbestosis, also called white lung disease, causes scaring in the air sacs of the lungs.
> Lung cancer.
> Mesothelioma which is a cancer of the lining of the chest or abdomen.

Asbestos exposure may increase your risk for cancers of the digestive system, including colon cancer.

What RDS can offer you:
We have several testing services available to help you determine if materials within your home or building are made of asbestos and more importantly, if they contain harmful levels of asbestos. In just a short time, we can come in, sample the suspect material and send it off for analysis. Once we determine the type and amount of asbestos present, we’ll assist you with identifying the most effective and safe way for removing the asbestos and safeguarding your possessions.