Located in the New England part of the United States, Rhode Island is known as the Ocean State because of its geographic location and nautical nature. Featuring its small and personable communities, rich history and decadent landscapes, it is easy to understand why Rhode Island is a great place to call home. In the world of real estate and home ownership, there can be a large amount of items on the agenda. Many homes will also require repairs or remodeling. Having the assistance of those in the industry can be a big part in accumulating the right information to making the crucial decision. Potential Rhode Island home buyers or those remodeling older homes should be aware that homes built before 1980 may contain asbestos. This by no means should make you incredibly frightened because exposure to asbestos can be easily avoidable by undertaking simple measures. There are now many eco-sustainable options that make the use of asbestos obsolete. It should be known that not all asbestos is considered harmful. Asbestos that is in good condition should be left un-disturbed. If its damaged fibers become airborne, long term exposure can cause mesothelioma, a rare but severe lung ailment. Due to the fact many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, mesothelioma diagnosis is one of the more difficult tasks physicians encounter. If you locate any suspected asbestos, most experts advise to leave it alone. In most cases, the best action is no action in regards to asbestos. However, if removal is necessary, it must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained and licensed to deal with hazardous materials. The Rhode Island Asbestos Control Program helps and assists citizens in the disposal and removal of asbestos. They have installed programs that aim to help citizens maintain and improve health at home and the work place. Further regulations on asbestos control and abatement are listed at their web site. With a constant progression in technology and green ways of construction, these methods will produce a healthy lifestyle and save you money. Statistics show that the lcynene foam or cotton fiber, for example, can cut energy costs by about 25 percent annually. The implementation of healthy construction materials is also allowing less waste going to the nation’s already crowded landfills. Recently, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions to the tax incentives placed for energy efficiency in 2005, as well as new credits for homeowners who remodel or build using Eco-sustainable methods. Some of the measures that are eligible for tax credits include added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC specifications, sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce heat loss. Storm doors paired with U-factored rated wood doors are also eligible.