Home renovation projects can be extremely rewarding but they can also be a source of great stress if you encounter issues you were not prepared for. If your fixer-upper was constructed during or before the 1970s one of the problems you may discover is asbestos. Let’s consider why asbestos is such a problem.

What is asbestos? It is a mineral fiber that was added to building materials to give them added strength, to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos fibers are extremely small so if they are released into the air, they are easily inhaled. This is very dangerous because these fibers stick to the lungs and remain there for a long time. Prolonged exposure to asbestos has been linked to some very serious diseases such as Mesothelioma, cancer affecting the chest lining and abdominal cavity and Asbestosis which is a scarring of the lungs with fibrous tissue.

When fixing up a home, how do you become exposed to asbestos fibers? Renovation generally consists of tearing up floors and walls, etc. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed in this way the fibers can be released into the air, creating a hazardous environment.

How should you handle an asbestos problem? You should not try to remove asbestos yourself but have a company that specializes in asbestos abatement take care of it for you. They will also dispose of it safely. If you are unsure if there is asbestos in the home, hire a home inspector to perform an inspection of the property.

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