The existence of an environmental hazard is becoming more commonplace in the real estate market. These concerns may not unveil themselves during a title deed search, or even while you are visiting the home. The home inspection is often where these concerns are brought to the attention of the parties involved. The following paragraphs will describe the majority of environmental hazards seen in home being bought or sold on the market today.
The Problem of Asbestos
Asbestos has many qualities that made it the darling of the real estate world. In essence this material is a nature of stringy mineral that is reluctant to flame, and was utilized as building an insulation materials in many buildings. It was utilized in everything from piping insulation to ceiling tiles. Over time however, it was discovered that asbestos posed a significant health danger for those who came in contact with the microscopic particles – a lung disease called asbestosis, as well as a cancer known as mesothelioma. The use of asbestos was subsequently made illegal in 1979. It is important to note that some older buildings may still have some asbestos in their make up. If you see asbestos, make certain to have it professionally checked out to determine if its condition is poor enough to warrant concern.
The Occurence of Lead in the Home
Lead is another common environmental concern observed in older homes. Lead is most often seen in the paint of older homes and in the piping. This nature of paint was most often used around the doors and windows, and both inside and outside of the house. Health professionals determined however that lead is a toxic substance, and will linger in the body long after exposure. Exposure to the lead paint is often felt by kids and the elderly, and the resultant health complications can vary widely. Most sufferers of lead poisoning experience high blood pressure, digestive problems, overall weakness, and possibly memory problems to name a few. If lead paint is ingested, it can lead to damage to the brains of the kids, potentially causing reduced intelligence, impaired memory, delayed motor development, impaired hearing and balance. The use of lead based paint was made against the law in 1978, and thanks to the Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (1992), sellers must tell the buyers of the existence of the paint in the home, and buyers get at least 10 days to inspect for it on their own. Since there are a number of health and environmental concerns associated with the lead based paint, checking for it before buying a home is a good idea.
Asbestos and lead based paint are two of the most common health and environmental hazards that are found in older properties. If you see a telling sign of either of these potential hazards, it is worth your time to investigate them further.
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