Homeowner’s Guide to Asbestos in Your Home

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs naturally. Before its harmful health effects were found, it was employed in a variety of construction materials and automotive products due to its strength and capacity to withstand heat and corrosion. Exposures are common in the construction industry, especially when asbestos materials are removed or disrupted as a result of renovations, repairs, or demolition. When asbestos containing products are cut, sanded, drilled, or disturbed in any manner in your home, it can become an issue. Individual asbestos fibers are invisible to the human eye and can be inhaled and trapped in the lungs without being noticed. These small fibers enter the air and can stay there for a long time, making them easier to inhale.

The Health Risks with Asbestos.

Microscopic asbestos fibers can become stuck in the respiratory or digestive tract if inhaled or swallowed. Some asbestos fibers can be removed by the body, while many become permanently stuck in the body.

There is no degree of asbestos exposure that is deemed safe. The majority of issues occur after years of repetitive and long-term exposure to the carcinogen.

Asbestos fibers cause inflammation and DNA damage when they accumulate in human tissue as a result of repeated exposure. This damage leads to cellular alterations over time, which can lead to cancer and other diseases. Asbestos exposure can lead to four different forms of cancer and other lung diseases.

So, if you’re exposed to asbestos dust, what should you do? If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and are developing symptoms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related disorders, see a doctor right away.

Does My Home Have Asbestos?

Many homeowners undertake their own home renovations, taking up floor tiles and old pipes, and knocking down ceilings and walls. On demolition day, it’s always a delight to bring out the sledgehammer. However, you may be unknowingly contaminating the air you breathe with hazardous asbestos fibers while upgrading and beautifying an older home.

Asbestos in the home can be a nightmare for any homeowner. Especially because this exceedingly hazardous substance has been connected to a variety of health issues such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

It’s crucial to remember that asbestos was used in a vast majority of products from fireproofing to cigarette filters from the early 1800s until 1978, when it was outlawed in some U.S. products. As a result, if your property was constructed between the 1800s and the 1980s, there’s a good possibility it has asbestos-containing materials. It’s vital to note that the US has simply imposed limits on asbestos-containing goods, not outlawed them. Cement corrugated wallboard, roofing felt and coatings, floor tiles, and cement shingles are materials that may be manufactured with it.

Typically, asbestos-containing materials can be found in the following areas in older homes:

• Popcorn Ceilings

• Building Materials Made of Cement or Asbestos-Cement

• Textured Paint

• Older versions of Caulking, Putty, and Joint Compounds

• Adhesives, such as flooring glue and even some duct tape brands

• Felt, wallboard, siding, and roofing materials

• Vinyl Floor Tiles

• Drop Ceiling Tiles

• Sprayed-on Insulation

• Insulation around pipes, attics and walls.

• Insulation around water heaters

• Fireplace decorations

Luckily the Mesothelioma Center provides a comprehensive list of products containing asbestos. Found Here.

How Is Asbestos Treated in a Home?

If you believe something in your house has asbestos, don’t touch it. Even if the material is in good shape, leaving it alone is the best option. Contact a skilled and accredited asbestos professional if the material looks to be damaged or if future actions may cause it to be disturbed. Access to the area should be restricted until an expert can validate the absence of asbestos. Knowing where asbestos materials are in your house, as well as their location and present state, is the greatest method to avoid asbestos exposure.

For a list of licensed professionals in your area, contact Florida’s state or local health departments. Click Here.

Organizations with Asbestos Resources

Luckily there are many fantastic organizations that address concerns about asbestos. Asbestos can affect many workers in different industries and older homes. When I first started in the construction industry, OSHA was the first organization that taught me about the risks and dangers associated with asbestos exposure. However, there are many more great resources to learn from to protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s important to educate yourself about asbestos exposure, how to avoid exposure in the home and consumer products, and how to recognize the signs of asbestos-related illnesses.

• The Mesothelioma Center

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Home Inspection Services in Orlando FL

Are you looking for more homeowner tips? Did you know your home inspector is your best resource for home maintenance tips? We’re here to help you know the shape of your home. HOMESHAPE Inspections has been helping real estate agents and homeowners with Home Inspection Services in Orlando Fl. We also provide 4- Point Inspections and Wind Mitigations for homes in Winter Park, Geneva, and Orange City