# Danger in Your Home

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/danger-in-your-home/
- Published: 2012-10-23T19:52:00-04:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

[⌊old window⌉⌊old window⌉[

Asbestos is a huge danger once it enters the air. Insensitive home renovations such
as gutting a house can create a health nightmare. President Trump has recently lowered/
weakened the standards for the amount of asbestos permitted.

**The danger of asbestos is similar to that of lead paint. Before you tear apart
your house there are easy and inexpensive alternatives you must be aware of**.

[This 2026 article on lead paint will explain all you need to know.  ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/lead-paint/)

_The following article is a guest post by Brian Turner.  Brian has been working 
with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance as an environmental health and toxic substance
safety advocate.
 

 Asbestos has been known for many years to be linked to lung
cancer, asbestosis (an inflammatory lung disease), [and mesothelioma ](http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma)(
cancer of the thin membranes surrounding the lungs). While asbestos is a naturally
occurring thing that everyone is exposed to at some point in their life, it is the
environment where individuals are exposed to it on a regular basis that is cause
for alarm. This is why many homeowners are appalled when they discover their [home is built with asbestos-containing materials ](https://www.epa.gov/asbestos).

When asbestos fibers are disturbed, tiny fibers are released into the air.  When
those fibers end up in the lungs, they can stay there for long periods of time causing
scarring and inflammation. Additionally, asbestos has been classified as a known
human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental
Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.  Although
rare, mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer related to exposure of asbestos.

Some commons forms of asbestos found in homes is in roofing or siding shingles, 
insulation, textured paint and patching compounds, some materials used in gas powered
fireplaces, walls or flooring around wood burning stoves, vinyl floor tiles, and
as coating on hot water and steam pipes.

If you find that your home has been built using asbestos-containing materials, do
not become alarmed. Asbestos is not harmful unless it is disturbed. For that reason,
asbestos removal should not be attempted unless the asbestos material is damaged
and cannot be repaired.  If asbestos-containing material does need repair and is
indeed reparable, you should call a professional rather than attempting the repair
yourself.  Even the simplest of repairs can cause dangerous exposure. If the material
is beyond repair and you feel removal is the best option, a professional should 
be called in to do the job.  When choosing a professional, make sure they use proper
equipment and have been adequately trained.

Anytime you have known asbestos-containing material in your home, you should avoid
damaging it at all cost. If you are not sure if your home contains asbestos, you
may call in a professional who will take samples to determine this.  Do not take
the samples yourself, as any damage to an asbestos material will cause exposure.

If it is determined that your home contains asbestos, there are other options aside
from removal. Sometimes asbestos can be covered with a sealant to bind the fibers
together.  Some asbestos-containing material can be encapsulated or jacketed to 
contain the fibers, such as exposed insulation in stovepipes.

As I said before, it is highly recommended you hire a professional if any repairs
or complete removal is necessitated. Asbestos is extremely dangerous.

[http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/ ](http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/)