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Daily Sentinel Article – Grand Junction Home Market Responding to rates, Stimulis

Uranium Mill Tailings Management Plan For Western Colorado

Mesa County Health Department Asbestos Website with Definition

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Colorado Asbestos Prevention for Homeowners & Green Alternatives

When embarking on the path to purchasing a new home, it is a joyful time for you and your family. But it is also one that will bring upon new variables to consider and responsibilities to tackle. Many old homes may need additional repairs or renovations, especially in areas where natural disasters can occur.

One of the main items that go unnoticed is taking easy precautions to avoid asbestos exposure. Potential Colorado homebuyers or remodelers should consider that homes built before 1980 could still harvest asbestos.

Often appearing in roof shingles, popcorn ceilings, piping and insulation, asbestos became one of the most popular building applications of the 20th century. If any asbestos is suspected in the home, the best thing to do is leave it un-disturbed until a home inspector can determine the best course of action. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air. There are many healthy ways to insulate your home that make the use of asbestos obsolete.

Many people in Colorado have had issues with asbestos in shingles, most especially. Asbestos shingles and roofs are not all asbestos. The bulk composition of roofing shingles is mineral fiber and cement. Asbestos makes up around 5% to 30%. While this is a low percentage, it should not be ignored.

Frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in a rare, but severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma treatment has varied affects on patients depending on the latency period and age of diagnosis. With no mesothelioma cure, exposure is easily preventable if simple measures are taken. One of the most important naval bases in the country is Pearl Harbor, where oil refining has an association to asbestos insulation. Gear that was meant to protect workers from fire was unfortunately made with asbestos. These asbestos fibers were released into the air and inhaled by workers, causing asbestos related illness to occur.

Prior to moving in to your new home or apartment, you must make sure there are no asbestos related materials or fibers present. It is important to meet with health or environmental professionals to properly examine your new property. Sometimes, the best action is no action. However, if removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous substances.

Many locations throughout the United States are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings. Promoting new ways of building construction and insulation, there are new regulations being put on older methods which are now known to be harmful.

Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 % per year. These include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. These alternatives have the same flame resistant, durable qualities of asbestos, except they are eco-friendly and safe. These asbestos alternatives allow for a healthy, safe home, free of health damaging materials.

Click here for the Grand Junction Economic Update 2009 from the GJEP