Asbestos was once considered a miracle material, strong, fire-resistant, and widely used in homes and commercial buildings throughout the 20th century. Today, we know it comes with serious health risks. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they become airborne and can linger in your home or workplace, silently threatening indoor air quality.
For property owners in North Carolina, understanding the risks of asbestos and knowing when to call in experts like Atlas Demolition is critical to protecting your family, employees, or tenants.
Why Asbestos Is a Risk
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in insulation, flooring, siding, roofing materials, and adhesives. While it’s stable when left undisturbed, the danger begins when it’s cut, sanded, or broken apart.
When released into the air, asbestos fibers are microscopic, so small that they can be inhaled without you realizing it. Once inside the body, these fibers lodge in the lungs, leading to long-term respiratory problems.
Common health risks include:
- Asbestosis: Scarring of lung tissue that causes chronic breathing issues.
- Mesothelioma: A rare but aggressive cancer linked directly to asbestos exposure.
- Lung Cancer: Increased risk, even for non-smokers exposed over time.
Even limited exposure can be harmful, which is why asbestos safety must be taken seriously.
How Asbestos Impacts Indoor Air Quality
Unlike dust or pollen, asbestos fibers don’t settle quickly or get filtered out easily. Instead, they remain suspended in the air for hours. or even days. after being disturbed. That means every step, renovation project, or structural disturbance can release more fibers into the environment.
This invisible danger makes asbestos particularly concerning for:
- Older Homes: Built before the 1980s, many still contain asbestos insulation, flooring, or shingles.
- Commercial Buildings: Schools, offices, and industrial facilities often used asbestos in fireproofing materials.
- Demolition or Renovation Projects: Cutting into walls, removing flooring, or tearing down ceilings can release asbestos unknowingly.
Poor indoor air quality caused by asbestos doesn’t just affect the building; it impacts the health and safety of everyone inside.
Why DIY Removal Is Dangerous
Attempting to remove asbestos yourself is one of the riskiest decisions a property owner can make. Unlike typical debris, asbestos requires specialized equipment, protective gear, and disposal methods. Disturbing it without training spreads more fibers into the air and increases exposure risk.
DIY removal often results in:
- Contaminated air and surfaces
- Improper disposal (which may also carry fines)
- Greater long-term costs if the area must be cleaned again professionally
For safety and compliance, asbestos should only be handled by licensed contractors trained in abatement.
Professional Asbestos Abatement: The Safer Choice
Hiring professionals ensures asbestos is identified, removed, and disposed of properly. At Atlas Demolition, our asbestos removal process is designed to protect both your property and your health:
- Inspection & Testing: Identifying materials that may contain asbestos before demolition or renovation.
- Containment Measures: Sealing off affected areas to prevent fibers from spreading.
- Safe Removal: Using specialized equipment and protective gear to carefully remove hazardous material.
- Proper Disposal: Transporting asbestos waste to approved facilities in compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Site Clearance: Ensuring the area is safe and clean before construction continues.
With trained professionals on-site, you can move forward knowing the risk has been safely eliminated.
When to Call an Expert
Asbestos is often hidden, so it’s not always obvious when it’s present. Situations where you should consult professionals include:
- Planning a full residential demolition or commercial demolition
- Renovating a property built before 1980
- Discovering insulation, old floor tiles, or siding that may contain asbestos
- Experiencing unexplained air quality issues in an older building
Bringing in an asbestos abatement contractor ensures your project doesn’t put people at risk.
Protecting Your Property and Your Health
Asbestos contamination doesn’t just threaten the progress of a renovation, it threatens the health of everyone who enters the space. The safest, most effective way to protect your indoor air quality is to work with an experienced demolition and abatement team.
Atlas Demolition specializes in asbestos removal and large-scale teardowns, helping property owners across North Carolina move forward with confidence.
Concerned about asbestos in your home or business? Take the first step toward a safer environment by requesting your free estimate today.