When I first started working in the environmental consulting field while still in college, I didn’t even know what asbestos was. The “have you been exposed to asbestos and been diagnosed with mesothelioma?” ads were not on TV, or at least I didn’t notice them, and having to think about the health and protection of a child was not even remotely on my radar.
Little did I know that one day I would not be able to look around an older house, office, or restaurant without thinking about the high probability of asbestos being in the ceiling over my head and floor tile under my feet; nor did I think about the fact that I would have to worry about disturbing asbestos while installing light fixtures in my 70’s vintage popcorn ceilings, or exposing my children to lead paint when we decide to re-paint.

They say that ignorance is bliss, but since we have entered an era with higher access to information and a greater awareness of the impact of our environment on our health, it is nice to know that the resources are there so that we can protect ourselves and our children from the few things that are within our control.