I was asked by Paul James from the Mesothelioma Center to post this article on my blog.

My Grandfather Jeremiah Joseph McGillicuddy worked most of his life as a steam fitter and ended up passing away with Lung Cancer caused by asbestos. Below is Mr. James’ article in it’s entirety.

Located in the Northeastern part of the United States, Maine is known for its extravagant scenery, mountains, rocky coastline and of course its appetizing seafood cuisine. The road to owning a home is a wonderful experience, but one that requires new responsibilities.

Gaining assistance from real estate adviser can help in dealing with making that all important decision. Many properties will also require repairs or remodeling. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century as a form of insulation, piping, roofing and flooring.

Potential Maine home buyers, re modelers or those looking to lease or purchase a commercial property built before 1980 should be aware that the potential for asbestos materials to be present exists. This does not mean you should jump out of your seat because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions.

If any suspected asbestos is in good shape, it’s posing no apparent risk. If it’s in bad shape, it could be a problem. If a home inspector suggests removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials. They can perform the removal in public facilities, homes and work places. At the present time, there is a growing list of green insulation alternatives which replace the need for asbestos.

The inhalation of its fibers can cause a rare lung-ailment known as malignant mesothelioma, which accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Mesothelioma survival rate varies from patient to patient for many reasons. These include age of diagnosis, latency period and cigarette smoking.

Maine Going Green

Recently, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions to the tax incentives placed for energy efficiency in 2005, as well as new credits for

Homeowners who remodel or build using Eco-sustainable methods. Some of the measures that are eligible for tax credits include added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC specifications, sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce heat loss. Storm doors paired with U-factored rated wood doors are also eligible.

Recycled building materials that are healthy alternatives to asbestos include the use of cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. With an increase in technology and public awareness, the United Nations Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber insulation can reduce energy use by 25 percent.

Of interest to those involved in real estate, a citizen based environmental advocacy group called Environment Maine, is combining independent research and a tough minded strategy to overcome the opposition of special interests who seek to undermine pro environment approaches. Focusing to rid Michigan of asbestos use and other harmful materials, they also focus to protect the water and open spaces. Environment Michigan is working hard to give the state the healthy environment that the people deserve.