Asbestos Attic Insulation Remains a Hazard for Homeowners

If you are a home owner and believe you may have asbestos insulation, any disturbance has the potential to release its fibers in the air. Limiting the number of trips to the attic will help limit your exposure. It is important to meet with professional abatement contractors in order to determine what the best course of action is for your situation.

There are many things to consider when remodeling or purchasing an older home. Homes built prior to 1980 have a potential to harbor asbestos materials. A professional home inspection for potentially corrosive insulation materials is extremely important for a variety of scenarios.

Used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century, asbestos insulation can be a big problem for homeowners because of its corrosive and health deteriorating qualities. Deadly cancer’s such as asbestosis and peritoneal mesothelioma are obtained through asbestos exposure and take the lives of thousands each year. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it
it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease.

The high amount of asbestos incidents over the last century has lead to mesothelioma attorney firms throughout the country advocating and protecting victim’s rights. The asbestos cover up was jointly executed by corporations and government, limiting citizens and workers of the dangers associated with asbestos.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests:

- Asbestos insulation should be left undisturbed in your attic.
- Limit the amount of accessories and items stored.
- Do not allow children’s access.
- If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals to handle asbestos to safely remove the material. Removing asbestos by yourself can potentially spread fibers throughout your home and your family will be at risk of inhaling asbestos dust.

It is not always an easy process to determine whether or not a particular insulation contains asbestos. Anyone who is unsure about the insulation in their home should have the materials in question tested. To protect your investment, professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home. Consultants will identify material defects structures and components of the home, in adherence to or exceeding national, state, and industry regulations and standards.