The Charleston Real Estate Search.com

Asbestos

Do you remember back in high school chemistry when you had those white “heat resistant” pads that you placed under the burner to prevent fires?  That’s asbestos.  Believe it or not, it is still used in many modern industrial applications including flooring, piping, and roofing, because of its fire resistance and insulating qualities. It is also a good binding material  used to reinforce the strength of a material while maintaining flexibility.

Of course, since the 1970′s it has been deemed a hazardous material and is no longer widely used or produced in the United States (although still widely exported from Canada and Brazil.)

The exterior siding of this home is made from an asbestos composite material

Homes built prior to the 1970′s often contain some forms of asbestos, mainly in flooring and cement tile siding.  As a home owner it is important to understand how this can affect you and your family.

Since I am a Realtor and not an Environmental Safety expert, I always rely on Home Inspectors, university research and the Environmental Protection Agency to help my clients make the right decisions.  It all begins with understanding the facts.

According to the Environmental Health and Safety Center at Stanford University:

• Asbestos is only a hazard when small particles become airborne, are inhaled and deposited within the lungs. Increased incidence of several illnesses … have been observed in individuals who were persistently exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos in work environments such as mining, milling, shipbuilding, construction and manufacturing.
  

• Asbestos-containing materials in buildings pose no risk to health unless asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled. Intact, sealed and undisturbed materials are not a hazard. Construction products in good condition will not release asbestos particles into the air.  Hard products such as vinyl floor tile and cement shingles contain binders that completely encapsulate the asbestos for added protection. Asbestos in soft products such as pipe insulation may be completely sealed within a canvas or steel jacket. Walls, ceilings and floors may also act as barriers that separate occupied building areas from asbestos products found in mechanical rooms, crawlspaces and attics.

If you suspect asbestos in a home that you are buying or selling, don’t panic.  Most of the time it is a non-issue. In fact many home owners with asbestos siding choose to keep it in place.  Like lead based paints, as long as it is contained it poses no threat.  It’s only when its crumbled, burned (if possible) drilled, crushed, etc that it will release any hazardous materials.   Since it is very resistant to moisture and insulates very well, it can actually help keep energy bills down.

For more detailed information about mitigation, click here to go to the EPA’s website.