Green Alternatives and Healthy Home Tips for South Carolina Homeowners

Green Alternatives & Healthy Home
Tips for South Carolina Homeowners
With its location on the southern part of the United States, South Carolina is highly regarded for its beautiful mountain ranges, national parks and monuments. With many great historical qualities and geographic location, it is easy to see why many want to call the state their home.
Although purchasing a home is an exciting time for you and your family, many additional responsibilities may arise. Having the assistance of an honest and reliable South Carolina real estate agent can be a big part in accumulating the right information to making the crucial decision.

Homes built prior to 1980 still have the potential of containing asbestos. However, this should not make you feel too concerned because exposure can be prevented by taking simple precautions. There are many environmentally friendly, green forms of insulation that not only are healthy alternatives to asbestos, but may even help reducing annual energy costs. The implementation of eco-construction and green energy home solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.

Asbestos Tips

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was a prominent building application throughout the 20th century. Even if asbestos shingles are on your home, if they are in good condition and left undisturbed, they are not a serious problem. The mere presence of asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous. Most professionals suggest leaving the asbestos alone. A home inspector can determine the proper course of action. In many cases, asbestos removal may prove to be costly, but a worthy scenario for achieving a healthy and safe home.
Damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a health hazard, leading to the development of asbestosis mesothelioma. Diagnosis of these forms of asbestos lung cancer has been a difficult task because mesothelioma symptoms are so similar to other, less serious conditions. There are many factors that may impact patient’s mesothelioma survival rate
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Council promote the health and safety of the public and environment. These public organizations assist the disposal and removal of asbestos and other harmful materials. If asbestos removal is deemed necessary, it should be performed by licensed abatement contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials.

Green Eco-friendly Alternatives

Once the removal process is completed, green insulation alternatives should be given serious consideration. Building green with proper insulation will save you on bills. Implementing green methods of building can have positive environmental, health and economic benefits. These include: Conservation of natural resources, enhancement of air quality, energy sustainability, increase property value, improve quality of life, improvement of pulmonary/cardiac health and reduction of waste.

These alternatives include: cellulose, cotton fiber and lcynene. These eco-friendly insulation options possess the same flame resistant durable qualities as asbestos, minus the health and environmental concerns. 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.
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. With growing education and technology, green sustainable methods of industry and construction need the support of the whole world and it is definitely getting a significant boost through states such as South Carolina.