Asbestos Prevention and Healthy Tips for the Home
The road to owning a home is a wonderful experience, but one that requires new responsibilities. Homes that are newly purchased may require additional remodeling or repairs.
Potential home buyers or those remodeling older homes should be aware homes built before 1980 maintain the chance of containing asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used in construction applications for the greater part of the 20th century.
This does not mean you should be afraid because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions. It should be noted that most asbestos will not pose a threat to your health and safety. Many eco-friendly green insulation options exist which not only provide a safe alternative to asbestos, but can even reduce annual energy costs.
When asbestos deteriorates and its fibers become airborne, it has the potential of causing severe lung ailments such as mesothelioma (http://www.asbestos.com/) and asbestosis. Physician diagnosis has been a difficult task because mesothelioma symptoms are so similar to other, less serious conditions. The negligence involved with the asbestos scandal has been one of greed and dishonesty. Manufacturers of asbestos were aware of its toxic qualities, but repressed this information from the public. It is tough to accurately gauge mesothelioma statistics (http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/statistics.php) because many cases go unreported.
If you locate any suspected asbestos, leave it alone. If you are having home renovations, performed, do not panic. In most cases, the best action is no action in regards to asbestos. These inspectors will assess the situation and oversee the work of all contractors involved and determine whether suspicious materials are present.
However, if removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained and licensed to deal with hazardous materials and removal projects.
With increasing technology and public initiatives, green alternatives exist which allow for an asbestos free environment. These healthy insulation alternatives include cotton fiber, lcynene and cellulose. According to studies performed by manufacturers, the use of cotton fiber can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent! These options will provide a safe and healthy home, free of any damaging materials.
Recently, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions to the tax incentives placed for energy efficiency in 2005, as well as new credits for homeowners who remodel or build using eco-sustainable methods. Some of the measures that are eligible for tax credits include added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC specifications, sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce heat loss. Storm doors paired with U-factored rated wood doors are also eligible.
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