Assessing The Real Dangers Of Chicago Asbestos At Home And At School

By Jose Hall


The mere idea of having cancer causing minerals in a home brings fear and dread into the minds of most Chicago Illinois homeowners. A lot of people have seen the advertisements on television about the class action lawsuits involving victims exposed to dangerous materials on the job site. Although you don't see or smell anything suspicious in your home, you may want to do some research to assess your family's risk and the best way to handle any potential hazards regarding Chicago asbestos.

Uppermost on the minds of most homeowners is how to detect whether or not there is a potential problem. It is hard to determine if the material is present without hiring a trained professional to come in and investigate. They might find the substance in the vinyl tile flooring or backing in your kitchen or bathroom or as a coating on pipes, if you own an older home. Insulation is probably going to be where you eventually find it, if it is present at all. It is often discovered when sheet rock is pulled down and the insulation exposed during a renovation.

The risk factors are a big concern to individuals and families. In the majority of cases, professionals believe leaving the material where it is, undisturbed, is the best course of action. It's not to considered to be a threat unless it's exposed and the fibers distributed through the air. Inhaling these fibers is the problem.

Contractors involved in residential and commercial renovations often find the material in insulation when they pull down sheet rock and paneling. They will evacuate the family members and bring in a team to handle removal if necessary. Only qualified and certified professionals should be given the job of resolving this situation.

Some home buyers believe vermiculite insulation in a home should be removed before a purchase. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends leaving the insulation undisturbed. It should not be an issue as long as the fibers are contained within the walls, and there is no chance of the fibers becoming airborne. If you decide you are uncomfortable with the mineral in your home, you should hire a trained professional to remove it.

Many older public schools have the material throughout their structures. Parents of students are rightly concerned about the risk it poses to their children. Every school system is required to have a management plan that is available to any parent who requests it. This report contains information about the amount, location, and plan to manage the substance.

Some homeowners refuse to live in a house where the material is present no matter how small the possible danger. Removing it can be tricky and should only be handled by trained professionals. Leaving it alone can be much safer than trying to remove it.

There are natural carcinogens everywhere in nature and in man made materials. Understanding the risk and taking steps to minimize it is usually the best and most efficient way of living with them.




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