October 24th, 2007

When considering the safety of a home, many people disregard the presence of asbestos in parts of the home. Though asbestos may be present, it can also serve a very valid purpose.

When people hear that their home contains asbestos, many times the first thing that comes to mind is mesothelioma and asbestosis. But the use of asbestos in a home can serve a good purpose, and not all asbestos can lead to health problems. Blown insulation, used in attics prior to the 1980s, may contain small levels of asbestos. The type of asbestos can vary, but most of the forms of asbestos used in blown insulation do not pose a threat to homeowners if it is left undisturbed.

Asbestos can present a problem if it is improperly removed or mishandled. Friable asbestos, which was often used in floor and ceiling tiles, can pose a health risk if it is in bad repair, or if removed improperly. Friable asbestos easily breaks into airborne particles, which can be breathed in and get caught in the lungs. This is the type of asbestos that normally causes emphysema, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer linked with asbestos exposure. If asbestos is in the home, and in good repair, the best idea is to leave it be; removing it could cause more of a problem then leaving it be.