Is it in YOUR House?

Today, let’s discuss asbestos. First I will point out that I am by no means an expert or authority on the subject. While inspecting a house or building I will very often point out something that I suspect contains asbestos, but I can’t say for sure. In order to find out if something contains asbestos with any certainty we need to send a sample to a lab. One thing I can say however, is that if your house is of a certain age, it very likely contains some asbestos.

So, what is the concern? For that I turned to the people at www.asbestos.com. They sent me the following:

Asbestos Removal A Must for Home & Property Owners

There are many things to consider when remodeling, purchasing or foreclosing an older home. Homes built prior to 1980 have a potential to harbor asbestos materials. It is important to make sure the location has been tested for asbestos levels and removed by abatement contractors. Citizens of Windsor should be aware that exposure to asbestos fibers can pose many health risks to you and your family and friends.

A professional home inspection is extremely important. To protect your investment, professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home. Consultants will identify material defects structures and components of the home, in adherence to or exceeding national, state, and industry regulations and standards.

Used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century, asbestos insulation can be a big problem for homeowners because of its corrosive and health deteriorating qualities. Deadly cancer’s such as Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma are obtained through asbestos exposure and take the lives of thousands each year.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency that regulated asbestos testing, has set very specific guidelines on how to conduct asbestos containing renovation jobs. Once you become aware of a danger or defect, you’re duty-bound to warn tenants at least, and to take steps to minimize or remove the danger in most cases.

Non-regulated asbestos material can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. One the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.

…. I know that is a just a brief overview of a very serious topic,  but it is certainly something to consider. Naturally, if you would like more information or help in finding further resources, please feel free to either respond to this post, or contact me directly. Thanks for reading!

-Brad