South Carolina Asbestos Prevention & Removal for Home Owners
Purchasing or moving into a new home is the investment of a lifetime. It will insure you and your family will have a safe and healthy home for a long foreseeable future. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was a prominent building application throughout the 20th century. One of the hardest hit states by problems caused by asbestos is South Carolina. Many health concerns can result from exposure to asbestos and many citizens of South Carolina have suffered as a result.
In South Carolina, The state was important in the manufacturing, processing and use of asbestos because of its natural deposits and large shipping industry. Many companies that used asbestos include the Charleston Navy Yard, Carolina Shipping Company and Detyen Shipyards, Inc. Potential South Carolina home buyers or those seeking to remodel a home built before 1980 should check for potential asbestos materials. This is not to say that you should be extravagantly worried because with the proper precautions, asbestos exposure can be easily prevented.
Even if asbestos shingles are on your home, if they are in good condition and left undisturbed, they are not a serious problem. The mere presence of asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous. Damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a health hazard, leading to the development of asbestosis and pleural mesothelioma. These illnesses result from asbestos exposure alone are serious lung ailments. Mesothelioma treatments vary from patient to patient, depending on age of diagnosis and disease latency period.
If you suspected asbestos materials are in your home, most home inspectors and contractors advise to leave it un-disturbed as asbestos in good condition does not pose any health risks. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Council promotes the health and safety of the public and environment. These public organizations assist the disposal and removal of asbestos and other harmful materials. If asbestos removal is deemed necessary, it should be performed by licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials.
Once the removal process is completed, green insulation alternatives should be given serious consideration. These alternatives include: cellulose, cotton fiber and lcynene. The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 percent. The numbers continue to improve as more options become available.
With a lackluster economy, these kinds of figures have attracted those who were unaware of eco-friendly construction. Not only will these asbestos alternatives reduce energy costs, they allow a lifestyle that promotes a clean, free of health damaging materials.
