{"id":19609,"date":"2024-12-17T15:57:15","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T15:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/chicago-il-puroclean-evanston\/?post_type=blog&p=19609"},"modified":"2024-12-17T15:57:15","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T15:57:15","slug":"asbestos-awareness-identifying-and-properly-handling-asbestos-during-home-renovations-and-restorations","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/chicago-il-puroclean-evanston\/blog\/asbestos-awareness-identifying-and-properly-handling-asbestos-during-home-renovations-and-restorations\/","title":{"rendered":"Asbestos Awareness: Identifying and Properly Handling Asbestos During Home Renovations and Restorations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Buying and updating a vintage property can be exciting and rewarding<\/a>, but it’s crucial to be aware of potential hazards lurking within the walls, floors, and ceilings of some Chicagoland homes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most significant concerns for homeowners and contractors alike is asbestos, a once-popular building material now known for its severe health risks<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let the experienced team at PuroClean of Evanston<\/a> help you navigate the process of identifying and safely handling asbestos while repairing or updating your property so you can ensure the safety of all involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Asbestos in Chicago’s Building Stock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201casbestos\u201d refers to six naturally occurring fibrous minerals: amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. They produce thin, durable threads that are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals<\/a>, and do not conduct electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large-scale mining began in the late 19th century and was a commonly used building component, found in shingles, siding, insulation, floor tiles, plaster, and more. It was also prevalent in the shipbuilding industry, automotive factories, vermiculite-laden garden products<\/a>, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos-containing material (ACM) can be friable or nonfriable (sometimes referred to as \u201cbonded asbestos\u2019). Friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to a powder<\/a> by hand pressure. Non-friable asbestos has a lower risk, as it is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials, but both can cause cancer, mesothelioma, or other serious health conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871<\/a>, real estate magnates rejoiced at rebuilding with a material shown to help prevent the horrific damage from out-of-control conflagrations. In 1918, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report highlighting the high risk of early death among workers with sustained exposure<\/a> to the mineral. In 1930, Dr. E.R.A. Merewether discovered asbestosis<\/a>, a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling the harmful fibers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the growing discoveries of the dangers of asbestos were ignored and it was used regularly in many applications until the 1970s. Starting in 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began banning most asbestos-containing products in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials in Vintage Homes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your home was built before the 1980s, it\u2019s likely that some building materials contain asbestos. Here are some common places to look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n