Imagine calling a plumber for a routine visit to fix a leaky shower faucet and being left with a hole in the wall and mess of dust that turns out to be asbestos. While you wait days for the repair man to patch the hole dust is being tracked around your home and breathed into your lungs.
That is exactly what happened to 2 women in Australia who ended up having to battle to have their ruined belongings replaced, rent refunded and who now have to face the fact that they may become sick one day due to the exposure. Check out the full story and video here. These women had no idea that their rental house contained asbestos because according to laws in their state landlords don’t have to disclose whether a home contains asbestos.
In the United States OSHA laws apply to all 50 states, governing asbestos testing in residential properties. You can click this link for more information about what landlords must tell tenants about asbestos and in which circumstances they have to remove it.
This situation is yet another example of why it pays to know a little bit about asbestos and where it might be hiding in your home. It also helps demonstrate how the OSHA laws can help subcontractors who might otherwise be unaware that they are working with asbestos containing material by stipulating that the presence of asbestos has to be disclosed to them. Not only were the women in the story exposed to asbestos, so was the plumber because there were no laws in place to protect him.
It’s important to take asbestos seriously and always remember when in doubt seek help from a professional who can help you determine whether your home contains asbestos. If it does they can talk with you about how to avoid disturbing it and removing it safely if necessary.
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