The Cause of Mesothelioma Could be in Your Attic
With energy prices on the rise, homeowners are looking for ways to improve heating conditions for the upcoming winter. One way is to enhance the homes’ insulation, but for many people, the attic is an unexpectedly dangerous place due to the presence of asbestos-containing insulation.
Asbestos was used in a variety of products during much of the twentieth century. In fact, any home built before or in the 1980s is likely to contain asbestos-containing materials. Homes remodeled during this time also fall into the category. The use of asbestos was so widespread that the large majority of materials used for constructing homes contained the substance. Contractors used asbestos because it was light, durable, fireproof, and was an excellent insulator.
However, these same characteristics are the contributing factors that make asbestos a health hazard. If inhaled, the small asbestos fibers can attach themselves to the mesothelial linings of the body’s organs, and because of its strength, the body is unable to expel them. The toxic substance is known to cause several types of respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
If a home was built between the 1920s and the late 1980s, it is likely the attic may contain a type of asbestos insulation known as vermiculite. Vermiculite is a mineral substance that was mined by W.R. Grace & Company near Libby, Montana. The mine was contaminated with asbestos, and any vermiculite from the mine is similarly contaminated. The problems in Libby itself as a direct result of the mining activities are enormous, and with the contaminated vermiculite present in millions of American homes today, the issue is even more widespread.
If a home is suspected to contain asbestos insulation, the only safe way to determine if it is present is to hire a licensed professional asbestos inspector. If test results reveal asbestos is in the home, precautionary removal steps can then be taken.
The question is whether to remove the insulation completely, or install new insulation over the top of the vermiculite. Complete removal may be more expensive, but it is the only way to make sure the asbestos won’t cause problems in the future.
Perhaps the most important issue, regardless if you choose to contain or remove the asbestos, is that it’s vital to hire a licensed contractor to perform the work. While some agencies say it’s possible to safely deal with asbestos, and installing new insulation is often safe to do yourself, it’s generally not recommended to take the risks of asbestos exposure.
For more information on asbestos and mesothelioma visit The Asbestos and Mesothelioma National Awareness Center (asbestos.com)
[...] The Cause of Mesothelioma Could be in Your Attic – Medheadlines.comWith energy prices on the rise, homeowners are looking for ways to improve heating conditions for the upcoming winter. One way is to enhance the homes’ insulation, but for many people, the attic is an unexpectedly dangerous place due to the [...]
Dr.Irving Selikoff states: ONE asbestos fiber inhaled into the lungs LEADS to CANCER…
CHILDREN born and raised in a asbestos contaminated environment ARE MORE AT RISK of DEVELOPING MESOTHELIOMA….Children MUST be made the priority to protect.
Unborn DO get exposed to asbestos from the mother exposure.Inhale/swallowing pathways.Asbestos has been found in unborn fetuses.
Since 1999, I tell all who will listen to stay away from Libby Mt as Libby is not safe to anything that breathes.Thank you.
There are many factors for contracting mesothelioma. The fact is t may take up to 25 years to be diagnosed after exposure.
We have asbestos in Europe, but not linked to Vermiculite, which is seen as a wonder material with huge applications. Am I missing something any thoughts?
Asbestos is one hell of a health hazard that is why we have removed all asbestos based insulation in our homes.*–
In the late 60s,tests on rats by WR disGrace using Tremolite asbestos from their Libby mine resulted in the rats dieing from Mesothelioma.How many Tremolite asbestos fibers it took, I do not know but I do know for a fact…nothing compaired to the amount of Tremolite fibers inhaled everyday in the town of Libby during operations (1963 to 1990).Then, EPA and OSHA did same tests and same results, rats died from Mesothelioma…proving THEN,Libby Tremolite IS the cause of Mesothelioma.THEN,a study done from 1979 to 2002 titled. Meso in Montana” counted Meso deaths of people who just live and breathe next to a Rail road route, out of Libby…where this Tremolite is killing millions today.Then EPA comes to Libby in 1999 and the people and miners learn the truth as to why we are sick and dying and dead only EPA knew in the 70s that this day would come yet,instead of a Health Emergency to warn and protect the people, EPA spent 17 thousand dollars advertising Libby Mt as a safe place to live and raise a family.And the killing of over 300 more families has continued.THIS Tremolite asbestos from Libby IS what is killing MOST in this country and the World. Tremolite IS different then most asbestos yet there IS no safe asbestos.Tremolite is deadly. No cure and what was knowingly done to all of us is a Holocaust…as we know today what we did not know yesterday….but THEY did….maybe Radiation causes Meso but the facts speak for themselves….Tremolite asbestos from Libby Mt, produced by WR disGrace and allowed by a lieing, failed Govt….who continues to kill…We the People…selling Libby Mt to anyone is murder.Today, rightnow, there are OVER 3000 people being treated for asbestosis.And this does not count ALL the children and grandchildren of those 3000 plus, who too are walking dead and await diagnoses.Three generations of my family were told the truth in 1999.My parents generation are gone…My generation is sick and dying and we are beginning to bury our children…all because we moved to the town left to die from the air that kills and kills and kills. Stay away from Libby Mt and No children left behind.Thank you.
[...] with asbestos or not. If asbestos is present you will be given advice on how it should be handled. Med Headlines [...]