| In the last 10 years, you may have noticed a | | | | powder, then a health problem could arise if you |
| significant increase in the concern of asbestos and | | | | breathe enough of it over time. |
| its health effects. As a real estate broker or | | | | This problem leaves the average home buyer and |
| agent, you must understand how asbestos can | | | | seller confused. What are my consequences |
| affect a real estate transactions | | | | relating to asbestos if I buy a home where |
| Let me start by answering the basic question; | | | | asbestos is naturally occurring in rocks? If |
| what exactly is asbestos? Asbestos is the name | | | | naturally occurring asbestos has been confirmed in |
| of a group of fibrous minerals with long and thin | | | | your area, minimizing the release of fibers should |
| fibers. That doesn't sound so bad, why all the fuss | | | | be of paramount importance. Don't drive, jog, or |
| over some fibers? Well, asbestos may be thin, | | | | use heavy equipment on unpaved roads. Driving |
| but they are very durable. So durable in fact that | | | | on unpaved roads lifts the asbestos fibers out of |
| they find their way into lung tissue and remain | | | | the ground which increases the chance of the |
| there for a long time. When asbestos infects the | | | | fibers finding their way to your lungs. Also, be |
| lung tissue it can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, | | | | sure to wipe your shoes off outside, before |
| and cancer. | | | | coming indoors. As a supplement to this practice, |
| From a health perspective, you don't want | | | | clean your floors often. Since children often play |
| asbestos anywhere near your lungs. So, where | | | | outside and get dirty, it is especially important to |
| are all these asbestos fibers hiding? Asbestos is | | | | tell them to take off their shoes prior to entering |
| naturally occurring in serpentine and ultramafic | | | | your house and wash their hands if they are dirty. |
| rock. Asbestos is also used in many building | | | | If you are gardening or digging in your yard, keep |
| materials (especially on buildings built before 1987) | | | | an eye out for rocks such as the rock featured in |
| such as roofing material, floor tiles, piping, and fire | | | | this article. |
| doors to name a few. So if asbestos is so | | | | All of this information is not meant to scare the |
| harmful, why is it used in building materials you | | | | average homeowner. Once asbestos is found in |
| ask? Well, asbestos isn't a concern if the building | | | | your community, your local government goes |
| material is in good condition. If the condition of the | | | | through thorough steps to investigate and |
| material is damaged, and there is a possibility that | | | | remediate the situation. For more information on |
| the asbestos fibers could have turned to a | | | | asbestos in your area, consult your local city hall. |