Louisiana Historic Homes and Asbestos
Louisiana is best recognized for its rich cultural history and architectural heritage. It is one of the oldest settlements in the United States and has a long and fascinating history reflected in the design of its homes. Traveling through the state, one will find many beautiful estates with architecture heavily influenced by the French.
However, these older houses, while breathtaking, may also be a source of great harm. Why, exactly? Because they’re likely to contain asbestos.
The miracle mineral that became maligned
At the turn of the twentieth century, and particularly during the 1920s and 1930s, most of Louisiana’s historical buildings were constructed using the once-hailed “miracle mineral,” which was widely applied in the industry due to its fire-resistant and insulating properties. As a result, the state’s picturesque landscape may be riddled with homes containing roofing materials, insulation, flooring, siding, and other asbestos-ladened materials.
The health dangers of asbestos products
Nearly every building constructed before the mid 1980s contained an asbestos product of some kind, usually many more. Eventually many of these products were banned – because of the significant health problems.
Asbestos fibers can cause a wide variety of health problems and diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are highly durable and become embedded. Asbestos-related diseases can take 20-50 years to appear.
But many of those asbestos products are still contained in the buildings. And if the material becomes exposed or damaged, the asbestos fibers continue to present an ongoing health risk.
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If you may have been exposed to asbestos, speak with your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related diseases.
Some specific products that are likely to contain asbestos include:
Ceiling tiles
Asphalt roof shingles
Wall and attic insulation (or “loose fill” insulation)
Certain textured paints and patching compounds
Insulating materials inside, on, and around furnaces, boilers and ducts
Asbestos on carpet or in carpet underlays
9” x 9” vinyl floor tiles
12” x 12” vinyl floor tiles
In cement
And this is far from a comprehensive list. Asbestos can literally be lurking literally anywhere in these older structures, especially because as they age and materials break down, the chances of fibers traveling from one room to the next only increases.
What’s more, homes that were originally erected with the use of asbestos have likely been refurbished over the years, again with asbestos-containing materials. Because it wasn’t until the mid-1980s that there was a widespread ban placed on the substance, the mineral continued to be used heavily up until this time.
What to consider in examining historic Louisiana Houses for asbestos materials
There are a slew of potential risks buyers should take note of before purchasing a commercial building or a home in Louisiana. The primary concern is that the older the structure is, the more likely it is to have outdated features. This means that there is likely to be both interior and exterior upgrades to be had, both essential and nice-to-have.
Anytime historic structures are updated, there’s always a risk of asbestos exposure. Moreover, oftentimes, after projects begin, they quickly become more and more extensive as hidden problems are uncovered along the way. Even if the original plan is to avoid contact with nonfriable asbestos, sometimes contact becomes inevitable as layers are peeled back.
Damaged asbestos products can release harmful asbestos fibers into the air, even many decades later.
Asbestos fibers are incredibly durable. If a home is already compromised by damage, whether due to the many hurricanes Louisiana has experienced, age, or other factors, the risk of friable asbestos being present increases significantly. This is because damage often causes latent fibers to be exposed and kicked into the air. Homes with outdated electrical systems may also contain asbestos cloth wiring and contaminated electrical features, and demoing walls, ceilings, or flooring could all mean coming into contact with the toxin.
Renovation and demolition can release harmful asbestos fibers into the air.
It is also not uncommon for homeowners to move into a historic structure without plans to renovate only to become aware of the risk of asbestos exposure when future damage occurs. Anyone who comes into contact with these fibers can suffer serious health-related issues, especially if they don’t immediately realize that they’ve been exposed, and aren’t aware of the importance of seeking medical attention.
As a precautionary measure, anyone buying a home built before the ‘80s should have it inspected proactively by a qualified professional. A licensed asbestos auditor can perform testing to determine whether there’s a risk, and if asbestos is found, an abatement company can remove it properly so it’s no longer an issue.
Use an experienced, licensed professional for asbestos testing and abatement.
If deciding to handle asbestos-containing materials, it’s crucial for owners to take proper safety precautions. This includes wearing protective clothing, gloves, and a respirator to prevent inhalation of fibers. It’s also important to limit activities that may release asbestos fibers into the air whenever possible, such as sanding, drilling, or sawing.
It’s important to remember that contaminated debris can pose an ongoing danger for years to come even when asbestos-containing materials are initially removed. Unfortunately, microscopic fibers can spread quickly, being carried around unknowingly by those exposed as well as traveling through the air, water, or soil. Even after asbestos has been removed, it can be helpful to have a space retested to ensure all remnants are gone.
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To Recap…
Historic Louisiana Homes may contain asbestos products, so keep watch and when in doubt… get a test.
In summary, some safety tips to consider when buying a historic home in Louisiana include:
Have it inspected for asbestos by a qualified professional before buying or taking on any major renovations.
If the presence of asbestos is confirmed, have an abatement professional remediate it. Then, have the space retested to confirm all asbestos has been removed.
Never attempt to remediate asbestos without the help of a licensed contractor.
Always wear protective gear when it’s necessary to handle asbestos-containing materials.
Whenever possible, avoid activities that may release asbestos fibers into the air, such as sanding, drilling, sawing or crushing surfaces.
If exposure is suspected, contact a medical provider right away. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner treatment can begin. When it comes to asbestos, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and to be diligent about limiting contact. Just because asbestos fibers are tiny and, therefore, seemingly harmless certainly doesn’t mean they actually are. In fact, prolonged exposure has been linked to a variety of life-threatening illnesses including lung diseases, cancer, and asbestosis. Early detection and treatment can make a big difference in prognosis and recovery.
Do You Qualify For Compensation?
Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.
FREE SEARCH >Legal options for people exposed with asbestos-related injuries
There is over $30 Billion in compensation available for many people with asbestos diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma, often without a lawsuit.
In addition to the health risks posed by asbestos, in many cases, there could be legal options to consider. If exposed due to the fault of another party, compensation may be available. Many companies have already established bankruptcy trust funds to mitigate future litigation tied to exposure. Or, it may also be necessary to file a lawsuit to offset the costs of medical bills, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to an asbestos-related diagnosis. For more information on navigating the legal system and properly submitting an asbestos claim, contact the experienced attorneys at AsbestosClaims.law.
Journal_LSMS_asbestosis.pdf (la.gov)
AsbestosClaims.Law
For Justinian C. Lane, getting compensation for asbestos victims is personal.
Justinian’s grandparents and his father all worked with asbestos in their younger years and died from asbestos-related cancers in their later years.
At the time of each of their deaths, no one in Justinian’s family knew that they were eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit and to seek compensation from the asbestos trusts.
Because no one in Justinian’s family knew their options, they never received any compensation for the death of their loved ones.
If you believe that you or your family member’s injury was related to asbestos exposure, you could be entitled to significant compensation.
This is money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being.
There are also asbestos trusts that offer compensation much more quickly and easily (without filing a lawsuit.)
If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.
In addition to legal claims, veterans disability, social security and employment protection like workers compensation, FELA and The Jones Act for maritime workers, there are asbestos trusts that have been set up to compensate those harmed by asbestos without having to file a lawsuit.
There is no risk or cost to speak with one of our staff about your asbestos litigation. There are no fees unless you receive money.
If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.
Introducing the largest database of asbestos information on the planet.
W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.