Is Asbestos Hiding in Your Home?

Asbestos was used in a variety of building materials. Asbestos is found in houses built before 1990. Post WWII housing commonly used asbestos siding and tile. Asbestos insulation around heating ducts was common. Blown on ceiling texture also contained asbestos.

Asbestos insulation was manufactured in Denver and used in area homes until 1990. This insulation was in granular form called vermiculite or Zonolite. This form of asbestos proved particularly dangerous. Micro fibers sift through the ceiling and lodge in occupant's lungs.

If you suspect that you have asbestos in your home contact a qualified remediator. Most asbestos in private residences is covered with some material to keep fibers breaking loose. In commercial buildings it must be totally removed.

Testing for asbestos is not a usual part of a home inspection. Inspection Perfection Inc offers Indoor Air Quality Testing that samples the air you breath and identifies various pathogens including asbestos. An environmental hygienist, or asbestos remediator can be consulted for testing and removal.

Asbestos Index:

EPA Web site on Asbestos

Mesothelioma

What is about Zonolite

What to do about Zonolite

Asbestos Warning
What should I do if I think have vermiculite attic insulation?
•Do not disturb it.
•Limit trips to the attic.
•Keep children out of the attic.
•When remodeling, hire professionals to remove it.
•Never remove the insulation yourself.
•If you must go to the attic, stay on a floored part.
•If you must move boxes, do so gently.
•Seal cracks and holes around ceiling fans and lights.
•Common dust masks are ineffective against asbestos.
•Call an insulation professional (there are dozens listed in the Denver Yellow Pages
under Insulation), although not all of them may have heard of the vermiculite warning nor know for sure if the material is Zonolite, because it hasn't been on the market for about a decade.
For more information
•For pictures and other information, visit www.epa.gov/asbestos/insulation.html
•EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service: Asbestos Line - 1-800-471-7127
•EPA Asbestos Ombudsman: 1-800-368-5888
•EPA's Asbestos Home Page: www.epa.gov/asbestos/
•Health Information Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Copyright 2003, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.

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