Asbestos dangers in your home

It truly is amazing that this being 2010, we are still finding Asbestos in homes. Asbestos was a very popular form of insulation used in homes from the 1920's through the 1950's. The most prevelant area we find Asbestos is on a homes duct work system. Used to insulate and seal connections on the duct work, Asbestos can be seen as an off white tape like substance found at the connections and ends of your duct work. (see photo).

Unfortunately, the vast majority of homeowners aren't even aware that they have Asbestos in their homes. During a recent inspection of a 1930's home, I alerted my clients to the fact that there appeared to be Asbestos wrap on the duct work. A couple of days later, I received a call from an irate listing agent who had the audacity to ask me why I mentioned it to my clients! My answer was simple, so I can sleep at night. My clients were a young couple with 4 kids. Many young first time homebuyers do not even know what Asbestos is and they very much appreciated the fact that I brought it to their attention. While not required, we as home inspectors have not only a professional obligation, but a moral obligation to alert homebuyers to any hazardous materials that we may find in the home they are about to purchase. It's only right.

Asbestos found in homes should not be taken lightly. From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos, we know that breathing certain levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of:

Lung cancer.
Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity.
Asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.

Most people exposed to small amounts of Asbestos, as we all are in our daily lives, do not develop these health problems. However, if damaged, deteriorated or disturbed, Asbestos material can release Asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain there for a long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material that would crumble easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is more likely to create a health hazard.

Now if you think about it, Asbestos found in these older homes has been there for well over 50 years. I do not care what kind of tape or wrap you use, after 50 years, it will and does start to deteriorate and could pose a potential safety hazard, particularly in children. The current EPA guidelines concerning Asbestos are completely outdated and haven't been revised since Moses was a child.

If you live in a home from the 1920's to the 1950's, take a look at your duct work. If you see anything that looks like the picture below, you most likely have Asbestos wrap present, and it would be a good idea to contact a local contractor who specializes in Asbestos removal.

It's 2010! It is time to get this garbage out of our homes so all of us, including the next generation, can breathe a bit easier.