Author: Joe from Asbestos.com

Considered the birthplace of the asbestos industry in America, citizens of New York are no strangers to asbestos. In the beginning of the industrial revolution, asbestos manufacturers mined and produced the mineral for automotive, construction, insulation and later, aerospace purposes.

The state of New York contains three naturally occurring locations of asbestos. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the deposits are located in Jefferson county and the New York/Rhode Island state line. About 400 public facilities, job sites and oil refineries are still known to have asbestos exposure issues. These cities include Brooklyn, Bronx, Long Island, Manhattan, Albany, Rochester, Staten Island and others. Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 still may contain asbestos-containing materials. If you are a potential home buyer or are seeking to remodel older homes in New York, you should be aware that asbestos exposure can cause many health concerns.

The inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers has been found to cause serious ailments such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of asbestos lung cancer for which the only known cause is asbestos exposure. Accounting for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S., steps should be taken to avoid exposure. Mesothelioma metastasis can occur when the illness spreads through the lymph nodes or the blood stream. This happens in the disease later stages as it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, making it extremely difficult for physicians to accurately diagnose this disease.

The amount of serious asbestos-related injuries and incidents in the last century has lead to mesothelioma law firms advocating victims’ rights. The asbestos industry was well aware of its health hazards back in the beginning, but continued the manufacturing anyways. This century old scandal has lead to millions of civilians, workers and military personnel wrongfully victimized by asbestos.

The New York Division of Safety and Health oversees the abatement of toxic hazards such as asbestos during remodeling, reconstruction or demolition. They enforce state and federal laws regarding the safe disposal and removal of asbestos. Prior to hiring an abatement contractor, an inspector can determine if any suspected asbestos should be removed or left undisturbed. Not all asbestos is considered dangerous, so leaving it undisturbed is recommended.

Once the removal is finished, green alternatives should be considered as replacements. These options include the use of recycled building materials like cotton fiber, cellulose and lcynene. The use of these eco-friendly materials will also result in a decrease in energy costs. The United States Environmental Program states that that cotton fiber insulation can reduce costs anywhere from 25 to 35 percent annually. Not only do these alternatives save you money, they allow a lifestyle free of health corroding materials.