Things to know about asbestos in your pre-1980's home and how to “green” it up

Asbestos is a naturally occurring product of the earth which has excellent insulating and fire dampening qualities, hence its use in commercial and residential properties over the years. However, it is also hazardous to human health when exposed to the lungs. Many people don’t know what, if anything, in their home might contain asbestos but the most commonly held view is that of popcorn ceilings. Not all popcorn ceilings have asbestos, but a good number of them do so it’s not uncommon for people to have these removed – not only does it remove the potential for asbestos in the home but it also improves the aesthetic of the home since these usually date a property. I’ve yet to find a client who loves popcorn ceilings. But, ceilings aren’t the only place you’ll find it.

Last year a client had their popcorn ceilings removed using the required methods of bagging and the contractor used the HazMat looking suits required for working in this stuff. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. A client whose home we sold earlier this year had asbestos tape used in the heating system which was removed once identified; other places have had flooring material with asbestos used in its fabrication so removal was done following the same strict rules for safety. It’s usually a smart thing to have products tested before removal so that you don’t put yourself unnecessarily into harm’s way. Many people want to do the removal as inexpensively as possible – but long term negative health effects could harm you more down the road. A local company with excellent resources for testing both asbestos and mold is NVL Labs on Aurora in Seattle, near Fremont. I’ve had a few clients use their services and one of the inspectors I work with regularly also recommends them.

Because of my online writing, I was recently contacted by Jesse Herman, Awareness Coordinator at the Mesothelioma Cancer Center. Their website is www.asbestos.com. He asked if perhaps he could contribute a guest article to Team Reba about this subject, and I thought that this might be a timely topic as we’re all thinking about health, green homes, safety, and more right now. So, without further delay by me, here is Jesse’s article:

When purchasing, remodeling or foreclosing an older home, there are a variety of things to consider in the real estate industry. Heavily used in homes and buildings prior to 1980, asbestos exposure can cause significant health concerns. Due to its resistance to heat and electrical conductivity, asbestos was used throughout the world as prominent a form of insulation and piping. Citizens of Washington should be aware that asbestos exposure can cause significant health concerns.
Used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century, exposure to asbestos has produced severe lung ailments, such as mesothelioma. Research has indicated it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop. This makes it very difficult to find, diagnose and find proper mesothelioma treatment. Many factors impact how a person can react to the disease. These include latency period, cigarette smoking and age of diagnosis. Manufacturers of asbestos were aware of the harmful effects and continued manufacturing the product anyways.
Removal of asbestos in public facilities, workplaces and homes must be performed by licensed abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.
The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available. A water based spray polyurethane foam, Lcynene features no toxic components. Statistics show that the Lcynene foam, for example, can cut energy costs by about 35 percent annually, according to studies done by manufacturers. Although needed to be removed by professionals, it is worth price for a healthier, positive lifestyle
The Research and Development (RAND) organization has helped raise awareness and education for those affected and those seeking to avoid themselves the problem. With the help of think tanks such as RAND and other organizations, removal in work places and public facilities is on the rise. These asbestos alternatives allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.

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Things to know about asbestos in your pre-1980's home and how to “green” it up

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Things to know about asbestos in your pre-1980's home and how to “green” it up

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