Most people do not think of asbestos as a home issue. They connect asbestos to factory insulation, brake pads, and ship building. They are wrong. Asbestos is found in many homes. Mostly, homes built before the mid 1980s, which is not that long ago.

The answer is to check for asbestos. Insulation repairs, and large home repairs warrant asking the questions: is there a chance for asbestos exposure?

Insulation, textured paints and floor tiles all have one thing in common. They all may contain asbestos.

As a general matter, if the asbestos is undisturbed and not going anywhere, it poses little risk. But when it starts becoming exposed, or when it is friable it can make you and you family ill. Asbestos is linked to cancer and other chronic diseases. It is a serious matter.

There are correct ways of handling asbestos. If your community licenses persons who handle it, then of course make sure you only retain a licensed professional. Otherwise, find a contractor with a proven track record.

On problem is that there are many contractors who remove asbestos and really have no experience. They can create a bigger problem than the asbestos represented in the first place.

Asbestos removed improperly can become airborne and make people ill. A professional with appropriate skill can avoid this from happening. This is not a place where you price shop. You may very well get what you paid for, and then some. Poor removal work can make ill or kill a family member.

Asbestos is dangerous for many reasons. Asbestos fibers are very small, which means that thousands can be present in the air and not be detectable. Once asbestos, fibers may permanently enter the lungs and other parts of the body. Cancer and other illness then may follow.

It can take 40 years to develop cancer. Many scientists assert that asbestos is the worst carcinogen known to human beings. And asbestos products are still being imported into the United States.

In summary, beware. If you are conducting repairs or renovations, determine whether asbestos may be disturbed. If you do not ask, you may never know. Until it is too late. It pays to be informed.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.