Spurring a Green Building

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By: Eric Stevenson
A writer for Mesothelioma Symptomswhose grandmother was exposed to asbestos for 30 years and the inspiration for this article. She was diagnosed and subsequently passed away from Mesothelioma, a disease that develops in the lining of the lung (75% of the cases), the stomach, the heart or even the testicles.



As illustrated by last November’s incident at Madison Square Garden, where materials suspected of containing asbestos were uncovered, common past use of asbestos continues to threaten individuals today. Although Garden officials did not release precise details regarding the type of material discovered, a popular form of insulation frequently used in such applications is vermiculite. Though considered a “natural mineral,” commercially used in numerous applications, including loose-fill insulation, high-temperature insulation and as a pipe fireproofing material, several mines produced this material with asbestos contamination, even into the early 1990s.

Zonolite Insulation
The most infamous of these toxic mines, the W.R. Grace Co. site in Libby, Montana, produced more than 75% of the vermiculite ore mined in the world. Much of this vermiculite was used in the company’s attic insulation, Zonolite, which was sold from 1963 to 1984. Although an energy-effective form of insulation that expands when heated, a process called exfoliation, this material also posed a significant threat when tainted with asbestos. Although not all of the vermiculite produced contains asbestos, several notable mines did hold this lethal material, allowing it to mix with the vermiculite being sought.

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Especially prevalent in the northeastern United States, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homeowners be aware of the presence of Zonolite insulation in their homes and assume it is contaminated with asbestos. Furthermore, individuals are cautioned to never attempt removing this or any other asbestos substance themselves. Like all forms of asbestos, this insulation remains most dangerous when damaged and spread into the air. If possible, homeowners are encouraged to avoid contact with the insulation. Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of misleading mesothelioma symptoms, which often initially mimic other illnesses and receive delayed treatment.

To remove this product, professionally-licensed abatement companies are recommended. Besides possessing the experience necessary to recognize and locate all sources of asbestos in homes, they also own the tools required to carry out removal safely, including negative air machines that ensure the material cannot escape into the home and become inhaled or ingested. Although homeowners can encapsulate the material, ensuring it will stay contained, future owners of the home remain at risk. Although encapsulated, future residents who are unaware of this asbestos-tainted material risk exposing it through home renovation projects that fail to adequately account for interior toxins.

Green Insulation
While environmentally sustainable and efficient insulation remains essential to controlling the indoor climate of buildings and homes, green construction also requires the use of environmentally safe materials as well. With the U.S. Department of Energy’s estimate that an average of 44% of a utility bill goes towards the heating and cooling of a home, a clear emphasis on efficiency is understandable, especially with today’s rising energy costs. However, an obligation to the health of the environment and a home’s inhabitants also exists. Although forms of man-made-mineral-fibers and insulating sprays advertise less serious environmental dangers to homeowners, alternative forms of insulation that are both healthier and more environmentally-friendly also exist.

Alternatives to vermiculite insulation include spray foam, cellulose, denim and straw insulation. Besides frequently being comprised of recycled products, these forms of insulation utilize materials known to have no long-term exposure health consequences. These forms of insulation are generally easier to produce as well, causing less environmental degradation and remaining safer for those who make it. In addition to replacing the long-term threat of vermiculite with environmentally-conscious forms of insulation, green roofs and walls present another opportunity to both insulate and control a building’s temperature.

Properly-installed green roofs help fight global warming, retain storm water runoff and cleanse the air. Indoor green walls can provide the same benefits of green roofs, including regulating indoor temperature, adding acoustical benefits and filtering the air. A common highlight of both green roofs and walls is that their benefits extend beyond just the homeowner, but the community and globe in general. By slowing water runoff, these outdoor walls and roofs slow and limit the number of pollutants that make their way into local water sources. By cleansing the air, atmospheric pollution is curbed.

A general principle while incorporating green architecture into a home or business is that whatever is done for oneself, benefits others as well, creating a very beautiful and visible reminder of the responsibility we all have to living as environmentally responsibly as possible.

Encouraging Green Building
Although transforming our existing homes and buildings from toxic structures to healthy, actively beneficial buildings requires an investment in time and money, the presence of materials like asbestos can actually help spur on the global recognition that green construction deserves. With the numerous devastating mesothelioma symptoms asbestos-laden insulation leads to, exemplified by the Madison Square Garden scare and the tragic consequences in Libby, Montana, finding reasons to build greener remains easy. Especially in public structures, where we literally fear the unknown chemicals and pollutants we packed into the walls and ceilings, the serious disconnect we possessed between our immediate surroundings and health is indicated.

However, with the implementation of eye-catching, green construction that benefits both the environment and those inside the building, more and more individuals are likely to recognize the benefits of green building and how it can help them live healthier.