Something that really does not get enough attention is the issue of hazardous materials that you may encounter when fixing up your house. I confess, way way back in the day, I used to think nothing of painting my run down old built in 1910 house in Jamaica Plain. Little did I know, I was dealing with all sorts of hazardous materials.
First and foremost is lead. If a house was built before 1978 it probably has lead paint in it. Of course back then we all used to inhale lead that was in gasoline as well– it is astonishing that we went that long putting all that toxin in our environment. Anyway, here is the best video I have seen explaining, not just the hazards, but the liabilities of working with lead paint, highly recommended for anyone buying, selling, or repairing a house built before 1978:
The next thing to worry about is vermiculite. I am sad to confess, back when no one knew what it was, I used to pour that stuff out like crazy in my attic. Now, it has become known that most of the vermiculite sold in the USA was contaminated with asbestos. So if you have it in your attic, LEAVE IT ALONE and treat it like a severe hazard.
So that’s my public service announcement for today.
