Tucson Homeowner Tips for a Healthy Home

Asbestos in the Home

Arizona
is a hot destination for potential home buyers. With beautiful national parks, monuments, tropical weather, it is easy to see why many are flocking to this great state. Purchasing or moving into a new home is the investment of a lifetime.

Used in many construction applications for the greater part of the 20th century, asbestos is a fibrous mineral that possesses many intrinsic traits. Asbestos may still appear in roof shingles, dry wall, attic insulation, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds and electrical wires. It’s flame resistant and durable qualities made it an ideal choice for many industries.

Homes built before 1980 may still contain asbestos materials. This is not to make you frightened because asbestos exposure is easily preventable by taking simple precautions. There are now many eco-sustainable options that make the use of asbestos obsolete.

If any asbestos is located in your home, the best thing to do is leave it un-disturbed until a home inspector can determine the best course of action. In many situations, the best action is no action. Asbestos that is disturbed or damaged due to age is known as “friable” asbestos. This is a concern because its toxic fibers can easily circulate and become inhaled. The removal of asbestos from specified locations must be undertaken by abatement contractors who are licensed in their corresponding states.

Although asbestos exposure does not always lead a related illness, long term inhalation of its fibers can cause a rare but severe ailment known as mesothelioma. Due to the fact many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, diagnosis is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter.

Tax breaks are being offered through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. This package extends energy efficiency tax incentives first enacted in 2005 and even creates some new ones for those who remodel their homes using eco-friendly materials. Environmentally safe alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lycnene and cellulose.

Studies suggest the use of green forms of insulation can also significantly reduce energy costs in households per year by 25 percent. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) conducted a study which estimated a new savings of $50-$65 per square foot for positively constructed green buildings.

The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation. With growing education and technology in green sustainable energy and building resources, the state of Arizona has taken actions to ensure safety and health is a top priority in this great state.

Submitted by: Mesothelioma Center