Sonoran Property Inspections had a nice conversation with Joe Lederman at the Mesothelioma Center the other day about asbestos. They have written this article and I thought it was important to pass this along to everyone if you are wondering about asbestos or have a need to get further information.
Home Inspections, Asbestos Prevention & Healthy Tips
Purchasing a home is one of the more important decisions you will make in your life, so it is best that you are sure that the home you want to buy is in proper and safe condition. Evaluating a home by a licensed expert, a professional home inspection will take a close and objective look at your property. Most home inspectors can evaluate the physical structure, mechanical systems, condition, identify items that should be repaired, calculate the remaining life of electrical, plumbing, air and check for any hazardous materials present. If your home was built before 1980, there is a chance it may contain asbestos. This does not mean you should be devastatingly alarmed. With the proper precautions and a professional home inspection, exposure to asbestos can be easily prevented.
In most situations, asbestos appears in roof shingles, dry wall, attic insulation, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds and electrical wires. If you believe that your home contains asbestos, a home inspection could be extremely important for safety, health and investment reasons. Asbestos was praised for its heat resistance, strength, flexibility and insulating properties.
Exposure to asbestos can cause a severe lung ailment known as malignant mesothelioma. With limited treatments available, this form of asbestos lung cancer usually receives poor prognosis from physicians. Diagnosis of mesothelioma has been a difficult task because symptoms are so similar to other, less serious conditions.
Healthy Tips
Popular in the United States from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, asbestos also appeared in nine inch floor tiles due to its heat resistant and durable properties. Asbestos also appeared in adhesives or glue in older flooring materials. If you encounter black or dark asphalt floor tiles, they may contain high levels of asbestos fibers. According to most experts, if asbestos is in good shape, it's poses minimal risk. If it's in bad shape, it could be a problem.
If an inspector deems the substance harmful, the removal of asbestos in public facilities, workplaces and homes must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are trained in handling toxic substances. Depending on the condition of the asbestos, many experts feel it is better to seal it off than remove it.
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. The area is usually isolated from the rest of the house by shutting down ventilation systems and sealing them.
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests:
- Asbestos insulation should be left undisturbed in your attic.
- Limit the amount of accessories and items stored.
- Do not allow children’s access.
- If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals to handle asbestos to safely remove the material. Removing asbestos by yourself can potentially spread fibers throughout your home and your family will be at risk of inhaling asbestos dust.
Recycled building materials that are healthy alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. These green options provide the same qualities as asbestos, minus the health risks. Studies have shown that these options can also reduce annual energy costs by up to 25 percent. Builders and investors are recognizing that eco-friendly construction provides not only long-term positive environmental benefits but also financial payoffs as well.
While we at Sonoran Property Inspections are not certified asbestos inspectors or abatement specialist when we see a product that is suspected to be asbestos we will recommend further review by a qualified expert in the asbestos field to be on the safe side. We're always happy to talk to you, give us a call at 480-415-7977 to see how we can help you with your inspection needs.
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