(This article has been reprinted as a service to BuildIT customers involved in renovations, and to the those in the construction industry who deal in renovations of older structures - for more information on safe asbestos removal, contact the author below.) 
Asbestos is a toxic component of many building products used in millions of homes and buildings built prior to 1980. Unfortunately, construction workers are being exposed to asbestos during remodeling and demolition, often without protection, and often without the knowledge of its hazards to health.
Asbestos was used in old fireproofing, roofing, vinyl flooring, pipe and boiler insulation, and some roads and cement pipe and cement sheet products. When high levels of asbestos are inhaled over time, exposure can become a major health concern, causing lung ailments such as malignant mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma takes the lives of thousands of people each year and has limited treatment. It has lead to a variety of mesothelioma lawyers advocating citizen and workers rights throughout the country. Manufacturers of asbestos materials knew about the harmful effects and continued manufacturing the product anyways.
Before you disturb asbestos, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that you must have special training. Removal of asbestos in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be performed by licensed abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Icynene.
With a steady increase in public awareness and technology, there is now a large list of green insulation alternatives which replace the need for asbestos. The United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available. These asbestos alternatives will not only reduce energy costs, but allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.
For more information, contact:
Jesse Herman
Mesothelioma Cancer Center
jesse@asbestos.com
Scott Hutchinson
scott@builditsystems.com
1 866 585 5050 ext 1