Overjoyed with finding the right home and having the potential to buy it, many homebuyers forget to think about the possible hazards that may be hiding in their home. In particular, environmental hazards are often overlooked.

Legally and morally, the previous owner of a home is required to tell potential homebuyers of possible future environmental hazards, if they are aware of them. The problem is that often they are not aware of these hazards or that past and present problems are evaluated while the future problems are forgotten.

As a result, it would be a good idea for homebuyers to take a little time to do some research about environmental hazards that are found in the home. Then, armed with this knowledge they will be able to ask questions about these problems.

Not only are environmental hazards potentially dangerous to the health of the home's occupants, but it can reduce the future value of the land. Often home sellers forget to think about future problems because it will not be their problem, but the problem of the one who buys the house.

The first potentially hazardous object in a home is a mineral called asbestos. Asbestos is a component of many construction materials because it is fireproof.

Asbestos is most commonly found in insulation, which covers water heaters, ducts, and furnaces. It can also be used in floor tiles, linoleum floors, wallboard material, pipes and for exterior siding and roofing.

As a result, asbestos can be found in most of the home. Most of the time asbestos contained in materials is not harmful.

However, as things degrade it can travel through the air as dust and be breathed. This is most likely to happen when remodeling.

Asbestos is particularly dangerous when breathed because it is a cause of a lung disease called asbestosis and cancer. There are other problems that can be caused by asbestos when breathed as well.

People who are looking to buy a home that was constructed before 1978 should especially be aware of the potential that asbestos are found in the insulation of the home. Asbestos are not the only contaminant in building materials.

Lead-based paints are also a hazard found in homes built before 1978. Lead is highly toxic and gathers in the body over a period of time.

Weakness, anemia, constipation, and a paralysis of the wrists and ankles are all symptoms of lead poisoning. In addition, lead can increase blood pressure.

Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their brains are still developing. The lead can damage their brain leading to impaired memory, delayed motor development, and crippled hearing and balance.

Before 1978 lead could be found in paints, water pipes, and solder on doors, windows, and other wood surfaces of a house. Sometime toys were even painted with this dangerous material.

The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (LBPHRA) was passed in 1992. It requires that sellers must tell buyers or renters about any known lead hazards and buyers have 10 days to inspect for lead-based paint.

In addition, buyers are to be given a pamphlet called, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" for review and people who work on the home must also give the same pamphlet to the homeowner.

There are several services offered to help home buyers make sure that they are buying a home that is free of lead poisoning. One service is a paint inspection.

A professional can conduct a paint inspection and tell the homebuyer of lead or other contaminants that they find in the paint. The second service is a risk assessment.

In a risk assessment, an inspector will point out any problematic lead exposures. They will also be able to give advice in how to remove the hazard.

Lead-based poisoning and exposure to asbestos are just two of many potentially dangerous environmental hazards that can be found in a home. It is important for homebuyers to be aware of these dangers so that they can make a decision accordingly.