The Verdict is In

The results came back from the lab. The carpet was negative. The linoleum in the bathroom specifically the glue- positive for asbestos. I was hoping for two negatives but if one had to be asbestos, then I am glad it was the latter. My husband already tore out the carpet so contamination would have been rampant. The bathroom floor is still intact and at my insistence will remain so until we get ready to install the new flooring.

I just don't get it. My husband is a scientist so I am wondering why I have to keep explaining to him that there will be serious consequences if this asbestos is not taken out correctly. I know when he took samples to be sent to the lab, he did not take all the precautions necessary and I think it is because he just didn't believe we had an asbestos issue.

In fact, the contractor and the owner of a local flooring store had told me originally that since my house was built in the late 70's, I didn't have to be concerned about asbestos being in my house either. Is this a man thing?

I use to work in a lab and had to deal with phenol, xylene, and propylene glycol which by the way is an ingredient in some of our foods, lotions and other products that we use. These are toxic carcinogenic chemicals that I had to work with on a daily basis so I used a hood because I did not want to inhale any of these things.

My husband is a researcher and works with herbicides. He's very comfortable with them and deems them safe since he's done the chemical residue studies on various crops. I know he is careful when he is out spraying but I think it is this mentality that is contributing to his lack of concern over the asbestos.

We have respirators and spray suits and have read about safe removal so I know we are capable of taking out the asbestos ourselves but you can bet your bottom dollar that I will make sure everything will be done by the book.