A home is not just a structure or a building. Part of what makes a home are the people in it. For anyone looking to settle down and start building a family, having a house to call your home is perhaps the most important thing to consider. Other than the location and state, the neighborhood, and the kind of environment you see your family thriving in, safety and protection are also factors in choosing a home.

Your home also needs to protect you from outside dangers. But, what if your home itself is the one that might cause harm to you? Can you still call it a home?

Not a lot of homeowners understand the possible dangers that might be lurking in their homes. There are so many possible causes of hazardous materials in one’s home that people do not realize.

Here are just some examples of the possible environmental hazards in your homes:

Asbestos

Asbestos is more commonly found in tiles, floors, windows, and possibly other parts of your home.  It is usually present in homes built before the 1980s. Be wary if you live in a house built before that time, it might be the best time to have your homes checked for possible asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos might be deemed as safe if left on its own. However, in time, they become dangerous, especially when damaged or disturbed. When that happens, it might release what is called asbestos fiber. This is very hazardous, especially when inhaled.  It can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

In such cases, it is important to have an asbestos abatement. Removing materials that contain asbestos should not be left to unprofessional hands. Calling any local professional asbestos abatement company.

In having an asbestos abatement, identification, removal, and repair is a must. This will ensure that your home is safe and toxic-free. Then you can sleep soundly knowing that your home is threat-free.

Lead

Another common hazardous chemical in the home is lead. Lead is a hazardous and toxic metal. It is most especially dangerous for humans.

It is dangerous for children to be exposed to such harmful chemicals. Children who were exposed to this dangerous chemical will have long-lasting effects on them. One effect could lead to development problems and nervous system complications.

The lead can usually be found in paint. Most homes built before 1977 contain lead. Houses built before 1950 contain high concentrations of lead, which can be dangerous, especially if inhaled.  Lead poisoning can also happen if it had been mixed with soil or dust. This is the most common for children to be contaminated lead.

What can you do to avoid lead poisoning? Most lead in homes is contained in paint. Steer away from crippling paint. Deteriorating paint can mix with soil and dust, and if that comes into contact with children, it will be very dangerous.  Next to is identify if your home was made after 1977.  And not just that, some older houses have lead in their pipes and plumbing.

For lead inspection, it is best to contact a licensed lead consultant and see their recommendations. Do not attempt to do it yourself. This needs experts’ hands, and it is best to leave to professionals.

Molds

Indoor moisture can affect molds and the growth of bacteria in homes. To a sensitive individual, this can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

It is important to understand that for mold to grow in an indoor space, water must be present. So to stop the growth of molds, tackle how to prevent moisture in homes,

Where is mold present? Molds are tiny organisms that leech on other dead organisms. Mold is everywhere. However, mold can be dangerous to your health. Most studies observed that mold could cause respiratory problems to people. It is also important to regulate the moisture at homes to prevent this.

Your home should be a haven. But it cannot be helped if there were times that it could be the cause of hazard and dangers to you and your family’s health. In such cases, better call-in professionals for a home inspection. Home inspections, especially for environmental hazards, should be done seasoned professionals. Luckily, you don’t have to search, type in your search engines, add the location or add any other area. That will lead you to your desired search.