Asbestos in your Leavenworth home?

The following is a GUEST POST by Paul James the National Awareness Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Cancer Center which can be found at  http://www.asbestos.com
When buying or selling a home, consumers frequently relay questions to their agents. Many old homes may need repairs or renovations, especially in locations that are susceptible to natural disasters. Many things may go unnoticed during the remodeling process, such as obsolete forms of construction that can be a cause for concern. Having the assistance of an honest and reliable real estate agent can make all the difference.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral used as insulation for piping, roofing and flooring throughout the 20th century. Due to its flame resistant and highly durable qualities, asbestos became a mainstay in the construction industry. You should be aware that homes built prior to 1980 have the chance of containing asbestos. This should not make you too concerned, because asbestos exposure is easily avoidable by taking simple precautions.
Asbestos Tips & Prevention
It is not always an easy process to determine whether or not a particular insulation contains asbestos.
The best advice is to leave it un-disturbed and un-touched, as this will prevent its fibers from becoming airborne. Sometimes the best action in regards to asbestos is no action at all.
If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals to handle asbestos to safely remove the material. Removing asbestos by yourself can potentially spread fibers throughout your home and your family will be at risk of inhaling asbestos dust. Asbestos removal should be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained and licensed in handling hazardous materials.
Anyone who is unsure about the insulation in their home should have the materials in question tested. To protect your investment, professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home. Consultants will identify material defects structures and components of the home, in adherence to or exceeding national, state, and industry regulations and standards.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of related illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, two rare but severe forms of asbestos lung cancer. Diagnosis of these diseases is a difficult task because mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to decipher due to a latency period lasting 20 to 50 years after exposure.
Go GREEN in the Home
While we all use energy to power our daily activities, many people take renewable and sustainable methods for granted. The implementation of Eco-construction and green energy home solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.
Eco-friendly methods of building and insulation can have many environmental, economic and health benefits, including enhancement of air quality, improvement of pulmonary health, increase property value and reduction of energy costs.
Currently, many cities in the U.S. have created lumberyards which re-store where you can purchase recycled building materials that are authentically strong and inexpensive. The implementation of green alternatives such as cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent.
Cotton fiber is also becoming a favorite insulation method. Made from recycled batted material, it is then treated to be fireproof. Water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene, is a healthy insulation which contains no toxic components.