Asbestos Home Inspections Can Help Prevent Exposure

Published October 8, 2008

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in thousands of products across the globe. The mineral is composed of fibers that are flexible and soft, yet durable and very resistant to heat and fire. Because of this unique combination of characteristics, asbestos became a very useful material in many domestic and industrial applications. However, this mineral is very toxic and is known to cause a range of terminal health conditions, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma cancer, and lung cancer. This is why homeowners are advised to contact a home inspector to have their residence checked for contamination. Asbestos was widely used across the United States from the late 1800s until the 1980s, when scientific evidence had long proven the hazards of human asbestos exposure. This mineral can still be found in numerous products on the American market, just in smaller quantities than previously allowed. Found in domestic products ranging from ovens to ironing boards to clothing, asbestos was also avidly added to construction materials, such as insulation, siding, roofing, cements, shingles, and pipe coverings, to name a few. Due to its prevalence in the construction industry, millions of homes and buildings across the country are contaminated with asbestos. Many of these structures are older and the asbestos-containing materials are breaking down with age and pose a greater risk of releasing carcinogenic fibers. Those who are concerned about materials in their home that may contain asbestos should hire a certified master inspector to assess the home for potential contamination. Some areas of the country are known as “asbestos hotspots” due to the prevalence of asbestos in various industries, public structures, and private residences. One of these hotspots is found in the New England area, where the American asbestos industry found its roots. For example, according to the Environmental Working Group Action Fund, Massachusetts holds the nation’s No. 8 spot for mesothelioma-caused deaths. This implies that asbestos exposure in the state could be among the highest in the nation. However, contacting a Massachusetts home inspector could help to reduce and even prevent unnecessary asbestos exposure. Numerous advances in technology have evolved the home inspection industry into an efficient process utilizing techniques such as infrared technology that help to quickly assess areas of concern within a home. Having a home inspected for asbestos contamination is an expedient and cost-effective way to determine the risk of asbestos exposure within the residence, and this simple process could be the single most important step to preventing hazardous exposure.