As the saying goes, “The journey is my home,” the path to owning a home is an exciting time for you and your family, but one that will bring additional responsibilities into your life. Many homes may need repairs or renovations, especially when situated in areas that are susceptible to hurricanes and natural disasters. Located on the southeastern tip of Florida, Miami’s sandy beaches and tropical weather attracts thousands of tourists and vacationers every year. Although Florida does not contain naturally occurring asbestos, the substance still made its way to a large portion of the state. Potential Miami home buyers or those remodeling older homes should be aware that homes built before 1980 may still contain asbestos, a fibrous mineral used through the majority of the 20th century, asbestos can still appear in piping, insulation, flooring and roofing. This isn’t to make you frightened because asbestos exposure is easily prevented by taking simple precautions. There are many green, Eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually. When involved in real estate, it is especially important to embark on the proper inspections to insure your home is free of damaging materials. If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air. Sometimes the best action is no action. The frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause a rare lung ailment known as mesothelioma, which accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. The increasing rate of asbestos-related diseases has resulted in mesothelioma lawyer firms advocating and protecting victim rights for their unjust illness. Manufacturers were aware of the health hazards involved with asbestos but repressed this evidence from the public. Environmental efficiency is on the rise because of technology and green sustainable methods progressing rapidly. Not only will these methods produce a healthier lifestyle, it will save you money! The Department of Energy concluded that cooling and heating counts for up to 50-70 percent of all energy used in the average home in the U.S. In today’s state, this philosophy can also save natural resources. Proper insulation will save you on bills. Rather than expensive and Mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. Environmentally sustainable insulation's are made from recycled materials including cellulose, polyurethane foam and cotton fiber. Statistics show that the lcynene foam, for example, can cut energy costs by about 25 percent annually. These asbestos alternatives allow for a clean, healthy home, free of health damaging materials.