Boston Homeowner Asbestos Tips & Healthy Alternatives
With a rich history dedicated to academics, enlightenment, arts and
culture, it is easy to see why Massachusetts and the greater Boston
area have been attracting so many potential home buyers.
The path to purchasing or renting a home is a great time for you and
your family, but it can also bring additional responsibilities into
your life. Having the assistance of an experienced and reliable Boston real estate agent can make this process simple and smooth.
Many older homes in Massachusetts once utilized asbestos-containing
or other obsolete building materials. Asbestos became a prominent
building application in construction around 160 years ago as a form of
insulation, piping, roofing and flooring because of its fire resistant
and versatile qualities.
Homeowners seeking to buy or remodel homes should be aware that
homes and buildings built prior to 1980 may still contain asbestos.
This should not make you overly concerned because asbestos exposure can
be easily avoidable by taking simple precautions. There are now many
green alternatives that replace the need for harmful asbestos and can
reduce annual energy costs in the home.
If you locate any suspected asbestos, most experts advise to leave
it alone. If you are having home renovations, performed, do not panic.
A professional home inspector can determine the best course of action.
In most cases, the best action is no action in regards to asbestos.
These inspectors will assess the situation and oversee the work of all
contractors involved and determine whether suspicious materials are
present.
Although un-damaged asbestos does not pose any harm, you should be
aware that the inhlation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause malignant mesothelioma,
a form of asbestos lung cancer where treatment is limited.
Unfortunately for those who have contracted this illness, physician
diagnosis is a difficult task because mesothelioma symptoms are so similar to other, less serious conditions.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will help
and assist citizens in the disposal and removal of asbestos. According
to state and federal laws, the removal must be performed by abatement
contractors who are trained in handling toxic materials.
On February 17, 2009, congress passed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions of the
Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some
new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using
eco-friendly or "green" materials.
In the state, construction practices are upgrading methods to suit
better lighting, heating, cooling systems and environmentally habitable
insulation. Some eco-friendly alternatives to asbestos insulation
include: cellulose, which is becoming a popular new green insulation
material. It is chemically treated to reduce levels of mold. Cotton
fiber is made from recycled batted material and is then treated to be
fireproof. The City of Boston Environment and Energy
services can further assist citizens in finding the best forms of
environmentally sustainable building applications for the home.
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This post was provided by Kevin Vitali of EXIT Group One Real Estate In Tewksbury MA. You can contact Kevin by email at kevin@kevinvitali.com or call 978-360-0422.
I pride myself in the quality of my work while helpingbuyers and sellers make dreams come true.
Real Estate Services in the northeast Massachusetts, around the Merrimack Valley, Southern New Hampshire including the towns of Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Dracut, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Merrimac, North Andover, Newbury, Newburyport, North Reading, Rowley, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, Wilmington, West Newbury