Going GREEN Better for the Environment and your Health

With increasing technology and public initiatives, many cities and states are moving towards a green paradigm, insuring that environmental sustainability is on the minds of officials and citizens. Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation.

Many older homes may still harvest obsolete and corrosive building materials which can create health concerns. Used throughout the 20^th century, asbestos became one of most sought after building applications in the world. Asbestos is the name given for a group of fibrous minerals that were mined for their qualities as fire resistant, insulation and high durability. Commonly used to insulate boilers and pipes, most homes built after 1980 could harvest asbestos or other environmental defected insulation techniques. If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air.

If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air. Deteriorated or disturbed asbestos can cause a slew of health problems, such as malignant mesothelioma. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease. Due to the fact many symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, mesothelioma diagnosis is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter.

A catalyst for homes, schools, industries, universities and businesses, the diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a greener, more sustainable form of living. With growing education and technology in green sustainable energy and building resources, many locations in the U.S. are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings. Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 % per year. Due to these recycled materials, waste is decreasing in crowded landfills. On February 17, 2009, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using eco-friendly or “green” materials. Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is becoming a favorite insulation method. Made from recycled batted material, it is then treated to be fireproof. These green options have the same beneficial qualities as asbestos, minus the health deteriorating and toxic components. These options allow for a safe, environmentally sustainable home, free of any health corroding materials.
Paul James,
Mesothelioma Cancer Center