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Five years ago, as housing prices were at their peak, America's obsession with home renovation was rampant. Brought on by rapidly inflated property values and the prospect of making a quick buck from 'flipping' a run-down house, homeowners and investors were more interested than ever in doing work on their own home. Armed with all the instructions you can get from a half hour cable television show, Americans everywhere sought to transform their homes into a glossy new habitat that would acquire significant profit on the market.

While most people consider the biggest hazard of a home renovation a hammer-smashed thumb or a destroyed budget, there is actually a larger, more insidious peril that lies behind the walls of many homes. This hazard is one that the confidence brought on by watching a renovation instruction show cannot overcome and one that has caused the deaths of more than people: asbestos.

Asbestos was used in the walls and attics of many homes up until the 1970s and is extremely hazardous. In the past, builders used asbestos in many products around the house, including drywall and joint compound; plaster, mud and texture coats; vinyl floor tiles, sheeting and adhesives; roofing tars, felts, siding, and shingles; and caulk. While many homeowners have the tools and experience necessary to perform almost any renovation on their house, the last thing someone should try is to remove asbestos from their home without professional help.

Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects the internal organs. A history of asbestos exposure is reported in 70 to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases. In fact, asbestos is such a strong causal factor in mesothelioma that it can even be hazardous to family members of individuals who are occupationally exposed, as asbestos fibers can come off of clothing. This shows the seriousness of asbestos exposure and underlies the importance of employing a trained professional for asbestos removal.

Unfortunately for many people, these dangers haven't always been well-known. If you live in New York City have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and suspect that it was caused by exposure to asbestos, then it is critical to contact an experienced, competent New York City mesothelioma lawyer. Gregg J. Borri is a New York City mesothelioma lawyer specializing in asbestos litigation. His law offices provide legal representation to victims of asbestos exposure (the principal cause of mesothelioma), namely those diagnosed with one of the three mesothelioma types ' pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial mesothelioma. The attorneys here are committed to forcefully and effectively advocating their clients' claims to legal compensation from the corporations that caused or contributed to their exposure to asbestos, allowing clients to focus on their medical treatment.