Asbestos in the Home
If your home was built between the 1940s and the 1980s, there's a very good chance that it contains asbestos. And if you're planning on doing any kind of renovation in your home today, you need to understand the health hazards associated with asbestos, as well as how to protect yourself from this toxic substance.
Asbestos is an organically occurring fibrous mineral, which has long been prized for its extreme ability to resist heat and fire, as well as its strength, durability, and flexibility. Since it can be woven into cloth or mixed with other materials to create building products, asbestos was widely used during the mid-20th century in a variety of commercial, residential, automotive and maritime applications. It was considered so useful, in fact, that at one time the United States military actually mandated its usage on Navy ships.
Unfortunately, asbestos has become known as a carcinogen. Its microscopic, needle-like fibers are easily inhaled when the material is damaged or crushed, and they can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma—a cancer of the lining surrounding the bodily organs—lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural fibrosis. According to the EPA and OSHA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
In order to check whether you are at risk, you should have a type 3 asbestos survey carried out on your property.