EXAMPLE OF ASBESTOS SIDING.

You might be wondering why I would be interested in asbestos.  Well one of my first listing turned out to be an enviromental nightmare, and one of the culprits was asbestos.

Most people became aware of asbestos because of the many class action suit for Mesothelioma a disease caused by asbestos. 

Due to the health hazards the use of asbestos has been somewhat restricted, however there are many products around us containing asbestos. Here are some examples:

• Flooring
• team pipes,
• Sound proofing
• Fire resistant
• Hairdryers
• Brake Pads
• Textured Paint
• Siding.

What you need to keep in mind is that there are really two types of asbestos the friable and the non friable.  A non friable type would be the type used for siding.  This is a relatively safe product unless you decide to cut into it.  The friable would be the type used to wrap pipes and you will find this around old boilers.  This type is the one you should be very concern about, it will break up and release small particles in the air, and this  will get into the lungs.  Long exposure could lead to asbestos related lung cancer.

Once it has been determined that you have the friable type you should have an abatement contractor do an evaluation, these professionals are trained and need to meet EPA standards.  If removal is recommended it will be rather expensive.

So we all use products with asbestos or is exposed to it in our everyday activities, the main thing is; is it Friable or non friable?