Healthy Alternatives to Asbestos a Priority for Connecticut Home Owners

Healthy Alternatives to Asbestos a Priority for Connecticut Home Owners

Used in millions of homes and buildings built prior to 1980, many civilians are still being exposed to asbestos in public facilities, restaurants, schools, shipyards and other industrial locations. As one of the small states in the country, it is ironic that Connecticut is one of the largest in terms of asbestos exposure risks. There are an estimated 600 locations in the state that have been known exposure sites. All of the known exposure sites occurred in the cities of Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield. There are many things to consider in the real estate industries.

Asbestos is often in old fireproofing, roofing, vinyl flooring, pipe and boiler insulation, and some roads and cement pipe and cement sheet products. Citizens of Connecticut should be aware that when purchasing or remodeling older homes, exposure to asbestos may potentially become a health concern.

Although exposure to asbestos does not always lead to related illnesses, frequent exposure greatly increases those odds. Asbestos exposure can cause a severe lung ailment known as malignant mesothelioma. This rare form of asbestos lung cancer accounts for nearly three percent of all cancer diagnoses in the country. Mesothelioma treatment is unfortunately almost always unsuccessful and physician prognosis is poor. There were 498 fatalities relating to asbestos in Connecticut between 1979 and 1999. Of those deaths, 249 can be attributed to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma diagnosis can be hard to detect, as it can take as long as 20-50 years for symptoms to show.

The removal of asbestos must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are specially trained in handling hazardous materials. It is highly recommended that those who believe they live or work in an area where asbestos are found to leave it undisturbed. Contractors come equipped with protective gear in case its fibers become airborne immediately after it is broken up. 

The removal of hazardous materials must be performed by an abatement contractor who is trained and licensed in handling toxic substances. The Connecticut Department of Public Health administers an asbestos program that aims to reduce potential exposure to asbestos. Found in over 3,000 products in the state, they provide assistance in the safe inspection, removal and disposal of asbestos-contaminated areas by following state regulations.

With increasing technology and public initiatives, green alternatives exist which allow for an asbestos free environment. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. These asbestos alternatives will not only reduce energy costs, but allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.

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This is an informative blog for everyone who should be well aware of this deadly disease. 

As you may know, homes built before 1980 likely have asbestos insulation in them. When homeowners remodel, they may expose themselves to asbestos, which could lead to the deadly cancer called mesothelioma. There are many environmentally safe and healthy ways to insulate your home and this is among the topics we like to discuss.  For more information please visit http://www.Asbestos.com

Your Connecticut Senior Mortgage Broker,

Nima Rezvan

Blackberry: 203.913.6016

Email: Nima@concorde.bz