MesotheliomaWeb.Org is a major online reference source and destination for updates designed to help patients and their families who are dealing with mesothelioma and other respiratory disorders related to asbestos exposure. Researchers for the site have assembled vital information regarding the process of removing asbestos from older homes. Since asbestos-based materials were used so prevalently during the 1950s and 1960s in fireproofing and insulation tasks, homeowners need to be warned about the potential danger posed in handling such substances.
A government survey estimates that more than eight hundred thousands schools, office buildings and homes built from the 1940s to the 1970s contain some materials laced with asbestos. At the time, manufacturers used asbestos extensively because it was inexpensive, lightweight, durable and heat-resistant. Asbestos was a primary ingredient in pipe insulation, roofing shingles and floor tiles in many homes during the mid-twentieth century.
Asbestos can also be found in most areas of older homes, including:
The vast majority of these materials contain chrysotile asbestos, the most common and least hazardous form of the mineral. However, federal worker safety officials have determined that asbestos exposure at any level is still considered “unsafe”.
The best way to insure that the dangers of asbestos exposure are kept to a minimum would be for the homeowner to hire a firm that is licensed and certified to handle, remove and dispose of asbestos-containing materials. The use of a contracting firm that specializes in asbestos is not only the safest method to rid a home of asbestos; it also insures that the homeowner is in compliance with most state and federal laws regarding asbestos remediation.
While some homeowners may choose to handle the task themselves in an effort to save some money, they may face even more expenses as the job progresses. Many states require that the local environmental protection bureau receive notice of any impending asbestos removal projects. Some states may call for an independent asbestos inspector to examine the property and to ascertain if proper worker safety and anti-pollution methods are in use.
A few of those safety measures include:
The point behind many of these efforts is to prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne. Once the fibers are airborne, people can inhale them and they can work their way through the sensitive lung tissue. Eventually, they can reach the pleural mesothelium, the soft lining around the lungs, and cause mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly form of cancer.
For more information, please visit our website at www.mesotheliomaweb.org.
