Mesothelioma Prevention at Home
In addition to workplaces, people can also be exposed in their own homes, since many houses were built before the 1970s with asbestos-based materials. Therefore, it is important to be aware of prevention methods. Items that may be contaminated include attic insulation, roof shingles and tar, drywall and drywall glue, floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds, wrapping on pipes and electrical wires. People may opt to remove these items even when they are concealed to reduce the risk. However, it is important homeowners do not perform renovations that may disturb asbestos on their own, which can be much worse. Licensed abatement companies are equipped to remove asbestos safely, and damaged or friable asbestos products need to be removed from the house right away.
In order to increase safety at home, there are prevention recommendations that should be followed. These include asking a home inspector or real estate agent to evaluate the presence of asbestos at home, avoiding DIY renovations if the house is older, not disturbing parts of the house with asbestos, regularly checking known asbestos products in the house for signs of wear, calling an abatement specialist if an asbestos product is worn or damaged, avoiding contact with areas where asbestos is present, and never trying to remove asbestos without help from a professional.
