We all have them. Those clients determined to turn that diamond in the rough into a real estate showpiece. I am writing to alert all of us to the dangers of asbestos. Perhaps we can prevent their exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, and an illness that can take thirty years or more to manifest itself: Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and agressive cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart and/or abdomen. Much of the the technical information is provided by Joe Lederman, National Awareness Coordinator of the Mesothelioma Center, and is used with his permission. It is meant to raise awareness and inform, particularly in a down economy, when people might be tempted to take shortcuts in their remodelling projects.
I love old houses; mine was built circa 1850. Connecticut certainly has its share of older homes. And do-it-yourselfers. In the process of "modernizing" plumbing and updating electric, many walls have come down in a cloud of dust, plaster, and who knows what else. Asbestos, as you know, was used mainly as an insulator throughout the 20th century. In addition to being found in insulation, it was also used in piping, roofing and flooring. Homes built prior to 1980 may have building materials that contain asbestos. The best course of action may be to leave these materials undisturbed. If the asbestos is to be removed, it should be done by a licensed professional, who will keep the asbestos fibers contained and will dispose of the demolition material correctly. By clicking on the following link, you can see places in a typical home that may contain asbestos: http://sz0096.wc.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/MilliLegenhausen%20blog%20HTML.txt?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=251220&part=2&disp=a
Asbestos was a great insulator in its day, but there are new "green" alternatives that work very well. Cotton fiber, made from recycled batting material, can be treated to be fireproof, as well as a great insulator. Cellulose products are also a "healthy" alternative. Credit for the article goes to the Mesothelioma Center, www.asbestos.com. You can find out more about asbestos and mesothelioma by logging on to their site. Let's work together to protect our clients from exposure to asbestos and prevent Mesothelioma.
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