There can be so many dangerous chemicals in your home, some you may not even be aware of.  The technological advances of science shed an entirely new light on what we actually have in our homes and environments.

Today is Mesothelioma Awareness Day, so I wanted to share a little bit from a chemist standpoint on what causes this rare form of cancer and what to be on the lookout for.

One of my favorite things as a chemist, is researching, learning, and sharing information about chemicals. Especially chemicals that are harmful to your body!

Back in the spring, I shared this in depth article about deep cleaning your home and checking old homes for asbestos.

Although it’s know longer used, asbestos was a very common insulator in the early to mid 1900s. It was a cheap, affordable option for homes and buildings. Scientists had no idea what asbestos actually did long term, so it was never a cause for concern.

One of my chemistry labs in college had a huge jar of asbestos sitting on the shelf. It was a sample they removed from the old science building years ago. They actually had to tear down the building because it was so full of asbestos since it was built in the 1920s. They kept a sample of it so we could learn to identify it and be cautious with it.

Asbestos was thought to be the perfect chemical for insulation because it has incredibly durable fibers, is completely fire resistant, and doesn’t break down easily to chemical decomposition like more natural insulators do. Asbestos is actually a group of naturally occurring minerals which combine together to form this durable product.

In the 1970s, scientist started linking it to rare cancers and they discovered that breathing in the asbestos fibers was incredibly dangerous. Today, it is a known carcinogen and considered highly toxic. Homes built in the 1930s to 1950s probably had asbestos for insulation, so it is a good idea to check for lingering hazards.

Chemically asbestos is actually not dangerous on it’s own, but when the fibers become damaged, that is when inhalation can become toxic. It is always a good idea to check out older homes to be safe!

Asbestos was not just found in homes, but other items like fire retardant gears, pipes, tiles, etc.

Here is a list of asbestos then and now:

It’s amazing how such a well-known chemical that was used for so long can cause so much damage to your health.

Since today is Mesothelioma Awareness Day, I wanted to also introduce you to Heather, who has a blog series about her diagnosis and experience with Mesothelioma.  She shares an amazing journey and brings so much awareness to this cancer. If you know anyone going through this struggle or want to read an inspiring story, you can learn more about here about her diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma and experience with this cancer

And remember to always keep your home safe and clean from chemicals that can cause health problems. Feel free to contact me with any chemical questions!

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