December 21st, 2007

What was supposed to be a dream home built from the foundation up has caused a lot of havoc for one San Francisco neighborhood. The house slid from its foundation and buckled into the home next door, exposing a lot of asbestos.

After a young couple bought the dilapidated home next door, one couple thought that their property would be better off after hearing that the new owners planned to rebuild from the foundation up. But when the new owners tried to do all the work themselves, the hopes of the neighborhood quickly vanished. As the new owner was attempting to jack the house off the old foundation, the home slipped and slid into the neighboring home causing extensive damage. It also exposed a multitude of asbestos in the home that was being renovated.

The old house backs up to a public park, which makes the asbestos even more concerning. Exposed asbestos is dangerous, since the material can break apart into airborne fibers. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to many types of diseases, including respiratory illnesses like mesothelioma and emphysema. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos particles sticking to the lining of the lungs, keeping them from absorbing oxygen. The victim slowly suffocates, usually in a matter of months from the time the condition is diagnosed.