Maryland has been an asbestos hot spot due to thriving power plants, paper mills and ship yards. These industries utilized asbestos throughout the 20th century due to its fire resistant and durable qualities. Homes built prior to 1980 still maintain the chance of containing asbestos materials.

Unfortunately, asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye.  The home is not only a financial asset, but a place to live and raise your family. It is especially important for home owners or those seeking to buy or remodel older homes in Maryland, to determine if any health damaging materials are present. There are now green alternatives that allow for a safe and healthy home.

Although not all asbestos is considered dangerous, wear and tear can cause its fibers to become airborne, where one will inhale its damaged fibers. This can potentially lead to the development of health ailments such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of asbestos lung cancer. Mesothelioma metastasis can occur when the illness spreads through the lymph nodes or the blood stream. This occurs in its later stages as it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, making it extremely difficult for physicians to accurately diagnose this disease.

Manufacturers of asbestos knew of its harmful qualities, but continued shipping the product anyways. The amount of incidents related to the asbestos scandal joined with the innocent fatalities has lead to mesothelioma lawyer firms advocating victims’ rights.

Home owners should hire a certified inspector to determine if any harmful materials are present and what the best course of action should be. Your family’s protection comes with knowing what you are dealing with and handling it in a responsible manner. If the inspector determines that a removal is needed, they must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous substances. This process requires professional care and protective equipment. The Maryland Department of the Environment assists citizens in the inspection, removal and disposal of asbestos and other toxic qualities.

Once the process is complete, replacement options should be considered. These include cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Not only do these healthy substitutes provide the same qualities as asbestos, they can even reduce annual energy costs. The United States Environmental Program states that the use of cotton fiber can reduce costs up to 25 percent. These options allow for a safe, environmentally sustainable home, free of any health corroding materials.

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—a guest post by Joe Lederman of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center