Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in millions of building and construction applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was praised for its heat resistance, strength, flexibility and insulating properties. Many homes and buildings built prior to 1980 have the highest likelihood of containing asbestos, but it still can out there hiding in schools, warehouses, and other buildings of age. It was discovered long after heavy use that asbestos exposure has health damaging qualities. This information was hidden from the public for decades. By taking simple precautions, you can ensure that asbestos exposure will not occur in your home. Having a professional San Diego home inspector to check your home can be beneficial to property owners looking to keep their homes and properties free and clear of any corrosive materials. Healthy Tips & Info A thorough inspection will provide clarity and understanding that your home is safe and in the clear. You will be able to receive specific information concerning the many components that make up your home or building. Technological advances have made the home inspection industry into a valuable process that rapidly study areas of concern in your property. According to the experts, the general rule of thumb is if the asbestos is in good shape, it’s posing no apparent risk. If it’s in a deteriorated condition, it could be a problem. Normally, asbestos can appear in roof shingles, attic insulation, pipe coverings, joint compounds, electrical wires, furnace cement, fire brick and gaskets. It is recommended for property owners to leave any suspected asbestos alone, as this can takes its fibers airborne. Most of the time, asbestos that is present will not pose any dangers. If exposed, its fibers can become inhaled and this can lead to the development of many health ailments such as mesothelioma. With limited treatments available, this form of asbestos lung cancer usually receives poor prognosis from physicians due to a long latency period lasting anywhere from 20 to 50 years until it develops. This makes a mesothelioma life span not as positive as one would hope. The medical community is working very hard at methods to improve diagnostics and treatment for this illness and it is improving all the time. Green Alternatives & Asbestos Removal The California Department of Environmental Quality assists citizens with information pertaining to the removal and safe disposal of asbestos. Removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. It is recommended that homeowners not disturb any suspected asbestos materials as this will release its fibers into the air. These types of public programs help protect and promote the physical and environmental health of citizens from asbestos exposure. State practices are upgrading methods to suit better lighting, heating, cooling systems and environmentally habitable insulation. The need for environmentally sustainable and healthy building materials is growing as well. There are many healthy insulation alternatives that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually such as: cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is quickly becoming a favorite for home builders and renovators. Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof. A water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene features no toxic components. If you are a home owner and suspect that asbestos or harmful materials are present, make sure to call a home inspector immediately to determine the proper course of action.