Asbestos in the Home – Guest Article
Constructing a home is a journey that is regarded as an old American Tradition. It will bring about many happy moments for you and your family. It is an investment of a lifetime but one that brings additional responsibilities. Many older homes may require structural repairs or renovations, especially for those who live near areas where natural disasters may occur. If your home was constructed before 1980, there is a chance it may still feature obsolete construction applications such as asbestos.
A fibrous mineral utilized for a greater part of the 20th century, it is still regarded as one of the more toxic building materials. If you are purchasing, remodeling or foreclosing an older home, you should be aware that many green Eco-friendly green options exist that replace the need for asbestos. By taking simple precautions, you can ensure that asbestos exposure will not occur in your home.
If any asbestos or hazardous materials are located, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Disturbing it can potentially damage and release its fibers airborne. Asbestos was used as prominent form of insulation for piping, flooring and roofing. It can appear in dry wall, attic insulation, popcorn ceilings, electrical wires and roof shingles. A Professional home inspector can identify the materials and provide an expert consultation for you. If the materials are deemed dangerous, removal may be necessary.
Consistent exposure to asbestos can potentially lead to the development of asbestos lung cancers such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Due to the fact many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, Diagnosis of mesothelioma is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter. The asbestos scandal was perpetuated by the asbestos industry and various corporate sectors in the country who buried any evidence that suggested the health concerns associated with asbestos. The high amount of asbestos-related incidents has lead to Mesothelioma lawyer firms advocating for victim rights.
Licensed abatement contractors who remove asbestos, will be familiar with the regulations in protecting you and themselves from exposure to asbestos. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. Once the removal is completed, it will be time to replace asbestos with healthy, green alternatives.
Recycled building materials that are viable options to asbestos include: cellulose, cotton fiber and lcynene foam. Cotton fiber is quickly becoming a favorite for home builders and renovators. Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof.
On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using Eco-friendly or “green” materials.
The United Nations Environmental Program states that usage of recycled materials such as green insulation methods and lighting can reduce energy use by 25 percent. With a lackluster economy, these kinds of figures have attracted those who were unaware of Eco-friendly construction. The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation.