Though a lot of my business is done in Toronto’s downtown condos, many of my sellers eventually make the move into a house.  A common issue in some of  Toronto’s older neighbourhoods is the use of Asbestos in the home.  The Mesothelioma Centre sent me a great article explaining asbestos and what do to if it’s found in your home:

While many homeowners may think that building green can take a toll on the wallet, the benefits outweigh any initial monetary losses. Building or remodeling your homes with eco-friendly materials can lower utility and water bills, higher real estate value, purer air quality, reduced waste sent to landfills and conservation of natural resources.

When embarking on the path to purchasing a home, there are many things to consider. Although it is one of the more exciting times in your life, additional responsibilities may arise. Many old homes may need repairs or renovations and may still contain obsolete building materials.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used in construction applications for the greater part of the 20^th century. Often appearing as insulation, piping, roofing and flooring, homes and buildings could still contain asbestos materials if they were built prior to 1980.  

If you locate any suspected asbestos in the home, most experts suggest leaving it un-disturbed until a home inspector can examine your property, take evaluations and determine the safest course of action. Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air.

Companies such as Environmental Services Group (ESG) in Toronto can assess survey and remove asbestos with their qualified asbestos abatement professionals. With a professional staff, ESG can help determine if you have asbestos and assist you in determining the most logical method of managing the problem- disposal or removal.  They work under state and federal regulations to ensure no health concerns arise from improper removal.

Exposure to damaged airborne asbestos fibers can lead to the development of a severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. Diagnosis of this asbestos-related lung illness is a difficult task due to a long latency period and many symptoms mimicking less serious ailments.

Green Benefits

A catalyst for homes, industries, schools, universities and business, the incredible diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a green lifestyle. The implementation of eco-construction, green energy solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world. Many locations throughout Canada are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings.

Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is quickly becoming a favorite for home builders and renovators. Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof. 

Research has demonstrated that the use of eco-friendly insulation alternatives can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods.

Visit their site for more info and resources relating to asbestos.

Related posts:

1. I said NO to the Home Energy Audit
2. Green Toronto
3. Home Energy Audits: Voluntary; YES. Mandatory; NO

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