How Safe is Your Home From Asbestos?
“Asbestos Inspection” “Asbestos Removal”
If you are in the real-estate industry, are potentially remodeling or purchasing a home, you may be at risk for asbestos exposure. Throughout the 20th century, asbestos was highly regarded as the ideal form of insulator and piping due to its resistance to fire and heat. Viewed as invaluable in industrial products, asbestos also gained popularity because of its reluctance to conduct electricity.
Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 still have the chance of harboring asbestos materials. This type of risk reaches out to residential, commercial and public buildings.
When buying or selling a home, consumers frequently relay questions to their agents regarding building materials that contain asbestos. Due to the potential health effects of exposure to asbestos fibers, it is recommended that homebuyers determine if asbestos containing building materials are present. An asbestos inspection is a fairly common inspection done for older homes suspected of containing asbestos.
Frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause a severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. This form of asbestos lung cancer accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Although significant mesothelioma treatment progress has been made, patient prognosis is usually poor. Research has indicated it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for this illness to develop, making physician diagnosis a tough task.
Normally, asbestos appears in roof shingles, dry wall, attic insulation, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds and electrical wires. These types of usages can be found in all parts of a home, including bathrooms and kitchens. Although not all asbestos is considered dangerous, a professional can determine the proper course of action in dealing with the contaminant. Asbestos that is disturbed or damaged due to age is known as “friable” asbestos. This is a serious concern because its toxic fibers can easily circulate and become inhaled.
The removal of hazardous materials in homes, work places and public facilities must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained and licensed in the handling of toxic substances. The Environmental Protection Agency has further standards in asbestos removal. These inspectors will assess the situation and oversee the work of all contractors involved and determine whether suspicious materials are present. The type of professional will depend on the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the problem.
Once the removal is complete, green insulation alternatives should be given consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lycnene. These options are not only replacements for asbestos, but can even reduce energy costs in the home annually.
For more information about asbestos a good resource is www.asbestos.com
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Home Improvement, Home Improvement & Maintenance, Homes Renovations, House Remodeling, Remodeling, Remodeling Houses, Remodeling Project, Remodeling and Construction
I am so glad that you pointed out the dangers of mesothelioma and how aggravating treatment would be if you had to undergo it. People these days need to hear this kind of information more often, most people probably have no idea what so ever. Good post, keep them coming baby!
So many owners of homes don’t know how easy and affordable it is now to send in samples and get them tested. That’s a the first step in identifying the problem. And the costs of removal have come way down over the years. It’s not worth risking your health to take it out yourself.
As a Real Estate agent I can tell you it is not too fun when walking into an older home that has asbestos in the basement covering the pipes especially if you can see visible damage. Getting exposed to asbestos is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. Along with checking for mold, asbestos is high on the list for things to check on when buying a home.
Asbestos has been know to cause so much ill health and yet people continue to use this material around the world. When in good condition it is a fantastic cheap product, but as claimed, once disturbed it can be lethal. I have seen, in my business, people ripping the panels out of homes with their bare hands and yet if they took time to follow proper procedures for handling asbestos their long term health may not be a concern. The basic steps are simple: cover up, including face, before touching the material wet it down and move carefully. Cover the material and keep damp. Dispose of per local guidelines.
Asbestos is one hell of a health hazard that is why we have removed all asbestos based insulation in our homes.*;.