A Hidden Killer

fifty or sixty years, many have dealt with the hidden killer, without even knowing it. House, construction workers and handlers sanitary May are touching and carrying products that are manufactured with a very dangerous element commonly known as asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that causes a form of lung and chest cancer called mesothelioma. Unfortunately, at that time there were no signs of eminent danger associated with handling these products.

Today, with the rise in energy prices, many people are trying to add to the existing insulation in their homes in an attempt to reduce their energy bills. Special attention must be paid, however, when it comes to homes that were built before 1970. These older houses may well have united in an asbestos from its building materials. Items such as blankets for hot water heating, insulation around furnaces and fireplaces, and even some textured wall and ceiling paints may contain this dangerous material. Before attempting to remove or update any type of insulation in older homes, the homeowner has to be very positive that there is no trace of asbestos anywhere.

Today, asbestos is banned from use in the production of almost all building materials. However, if something does not contain asbestos must be properly labeled so that the user that the product will be warned about the dangers associated with it. Remember, asbestos is very dangerous fibers. homeowner can not be too careful when dealing with even the possibility of the presence of asbestos in any residence, even those that were built after the 1970th Most times a professional inspector should be contacted.