Buying a home is a stressful prospect no matter who you are or what kind of home you are buying. Today it is especially important to pay attention to specific disclosures not only when you buy a home, but when you are looking at homes. You need to protect yourself and your family from harmful toxic substances and environmental exposures by arming yourself with knowledge. If you have already purchased a home with one of these problems, you may be entitled to seek compensation or redress to help rectify a dangerous situation.
For instance, if you know the home you live in, or want to purchase was built before 1979, the chance exists that there is lead paint somewhere in the house. In many cases, it has merely been painted over, in some cases it has been removed because of modernizing and renovation, but if you see the telltale signs of cracked and peeling paint and you have small children, you may want to build the cost of removing the lead paint into your offer. If you live in an older home now and you see cracked and peeling paint you need to act quickly. But, as you pay someone to remove lead paint, or as you work on removing it yourself, you should keep track of all receipts and records of services you use. Why? Recently a class action suit was won in Rhode Island mandating that three lead paint manufacturers clean up the "public nuisance" of lead paint they had created. This was the first case of its kind to get a verdict and many state specific lawsuits may follow and be likewise resolved. Therefore, you may be entitled for compensation towards clearing dangerous and toxic lead paint from your home.
Lead poisoning from exposure to lead paint can cause significant damage to children under six that can lead to permanent injury. There are clear ties between lead poisoning damage the nervous system and brain – causing learning disabilities and behavioral problems, seizures, poor growth and hearing loss.
Another common toxic household pollutant is asbestos. Because asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is fire proof and does not conduct electricity, it was considered ideal for use in concrete, insulation around boilers and as heat insulation in homes as well as in house shingles. As a result, in very old homes, you can find this dangerous material. Asbestos has been linked to several extremely serious diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma and heart disease. These conditions can develop decades after consistent exposure to the mineral so if you have asbestos in your home, including in your basement or attic, you should consider having it professional removed. As asbestos decomposes, it releases tiny crystals into the air which can be easily inhaled without your knowledge.
If you own a home with a toxic substance, you should work to get it removed as quickly as possible. Don’t wait for a successful class action lawsuit or litigation to protect your family from harm and yourself from long term illness or injury. If you don’t know what to look for, contact a professional contractor to review and assess your home for any toxic materials or environmental problems.