Asbestos exposure can threaten people’s health year-round. However, there could be certain risks that are especially prevalent in the summer. Watching out for these can help you and your loved ones stay safer in the coming months.
Home construction
In the coming months, many landlords and homeowners will tackle construction projects. These projects often involve some amount of:
- Demolition
- Toxic material handling and disposal
- Erecting new structures
- Plumbing and electrical work
These endeavors can expose workers, residents and neighbors to potentially harmful levels of asbestos.
School renovations
With kids out of school, many districts use summer as a time to perform maintenance and renovations inside schools. When a school is old and requires extensive work, there is a very real chance that it contains materials made with asbestos.
Fortunately, children may not be at risk of exposure during this time. However, building workers and faculty who continue to be in the school during these projects should be especially mindful of dust and toxic airborne fibers and avoid them; construction workers should properly seal off workspaces.
Vacations and getaways
If you are planning a summer vacation or your kids are going away to camp, be mindful of asbestos risks. Countries vary in their treatment and use of asbestos, and if you stay in historic sites and buildings, beware of crumbling or damaged building materials.
It is also worth noting that military ships and even cruise ships that have been in service for a long time likely contain asbestos.
Hopefully, whatever your summer plans entail, they will not involve battling harmful asbestos exposure. Knowing where asbestos may be found can help you protect yourself and your family.