Environmental sustainability is quickly becoming a vital part of home design and construction. Homeowners today have new responsibilities when planning and building their home. The choices that homeowners make can have a lasting affect on the health of their families and the health of the planet.
Through most of the 20th century, asbestos was the ideal form of insulation due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, its sound absorption and tensile strength. Often appearing in roof shingles, popcorn ceilings, piping and insulation, asbestos became a mainstay in both residential and commercial construction. However, frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in a rare, but severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. This form of asbestos lung cancer accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States.
Despite the dangers and the resulting regulations, many consumer products can still legally contain trace amounts of asbestos. When shopping for materials for your new home, check the product's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to see if it lists asbestos. Otherwise, you can contact your EPA Regional Asbestos Coordinator for information about home asbestos testing. If any asbestos is suspected in your home, the best thing to do is leave it undisturbed until an inspector can determine the best course of action. Sometimes, the best action is no action. Homeowners should not disturb any suspected asbestos material, as this will release its fibers into the air. If removal is necessary, a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous substances must do it. (click on the image to see where asbestos can commonly be found in homes)
Fortunately, there are now many green alternatives that make the use of asbestos and hazardous materials obsolete. Throughout the United States, construction practices are changing to suit the environment and the health of human beings. Icynene, a water-based polyurethane spray foam, is insulation which contains no toxic components. Other substitutes for asbestos include vegetable fibers in asphalt, slate, aluminum, recycled and high-density polyethylene reinforced with crushed stone (marketed as Worldroof), cellulose fibers, gypsum, brick, clay and iron and steel. These eco-friendly and safe alternatives can have the same flame resistant, durable qualities of asbestos and provide a home, free from health-damaging materials.
Information provided by Joe Lederman, Asbestos.com
For more information about asbestos and mesothelioma, please visit Asbestos.com.
Through most of the 20th century, asbestos was the ideal form of insulation due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, its sound absorption and tensile strength. Often appearing in roof shingles, popcorn ceilings, piping and insulation, asbestos became a mainstay in both residential and commercial construction. However, frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in a rare, but severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. This form of asbestos lung cancer accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States.Despite the dangers and the resulting regulations, many consumer products can still legally contain trace amounts of asbestos. When shopping for materials for your new home, check the product's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to see if it lists asbestos. Otherwise, you can contact your EPA Regional Asbestos Coordinator for information about home asbestos testing. If any asbestos is suspected in your home, the best thing to do is leave it undisturbed until an inspector can determine the best course of action. Sometimes, the best action is no action. Homeowners should not disturb any suspected asbestos material, as this will release its fibers into the air. If removal is necessary, a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous substances must do it. (click on the image to see where asbestos can commonly be found in homes)
Fortunately, there are now many green alternatives that make the use of asbestos and hazardous materials obsolete. Throughout the United States, construction practices are changing to suit the environment and the health of human beings. Icynene, a water-based polyurethane spray foam, is insulation which contains no toxic components. Other substitutes for asbestos include vegetable fibers in asphalt, slate, aluminum, recycled and high-density polyethylene reinforced with crushed stone (marketed as Worldroof), cellulose fibers, gypsum, brick, clay and iron and steel. These eco-friendly and safe alternatives can have the same flame resistant, durable qualities of asbestos and provide a home, free from health-damaging materials.
Information provided by Joe Lederman, Asbestos.com
For more information about asbestos and mesothelioma, please visit Asbestos.com.
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Never heard of this before, but thanks for opening up my eyes.