Asbestos in the Home

This post is by guest author, Joe Lederman, of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

In the real estate industry, there are a variety of things to consider when purchasing, remodeling or foreclosing an older home. Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 have a strong potential of harboring asbestos materials. Due to increased technology and public education, green alternatives exist which completely replace the need for asbestos. If you are interested in remodeling, saving money and improving your carbon footprint, here is some information to get you on the right track.

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Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which was heavily used as a form of insulation and piping throughout the 20th century. Featuring an extremely toxic component, inhalation of its fibers over a period of time can cause a fatal lung-ailment known as mesothelioma, a type of cancer where treatment is limited. Medical research has indicated it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for symptoms to develop, making mesothelioma most difficult for physicians to diagnose.

Yet to be placed under a federal ban, it is especially important to meet with health or environmental professionals who will examine your new property and decide the proper course of action. Removal of asbestos in homes, places of work and public buildings must be performed by licensed abatement contractors. Asbestos abatement contractors are specially trained in handling toxic materials. Once the removal is completed, green alternatives such as cellulose, cotton fiber and lcynene should be seriously considered.

The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. These kinds of eco friendly figures have attracted those who were unaware of environmentally sustainable and safe construction practices. With a struggling economy, these asbestos alternatives can reduce cost of living, energy and allow a healthy lifestyle, free of damaging materials.