Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of six fibrous minerals (amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite) that occur naturally in certain soil and rocks. The most common types of asbestos used in commercial applications are chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), and anthophyllite (gray asbestos). These minerals are composed of long, thin, durable fibers that appear similar to fiberglass. Asbestos is known for its insulating properties, soundproofing, anti-corrosiveness, condensation control, strength enhancing properties, and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. These properities make it very attractive for industrial uses and for use in building materials. Asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, asbestos cement products, friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), textiles, packaging, gaskets, and coatings. Asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, and floor tiles.

Asbestos can be found in most homes built or remodeled prior to 1979. Asbestos-containing building materials may vary between 1% and 100% in asbestos content. There are approximately 3600 asbestos containing products. Some of the most common ones found in homes are listed below:

• Vinyl-asbestos floor tiles and asbestos-backed linoleum, resilient floor covering and mastics,
• Asbestos-cement roofing and siding shingles,
• Sprayed on ceilings between 1945 and 1978 ("popcorn"),
• Wall and ceiling joint compounds before 1977,
• Insulation on boilers and water heaters, pad under furnace,
• Textured paints before 1978,
• Roofing felts and tars,
• Pipe insulation between 1920 & 1972 (can be preformed insulation, paper wrap, tape or plaster),
• Asbestos insulated wiring,
• Fuse box liners and stove door gaskets,
• Artificial fireplace ashes and logs before 1977.

Asbestos is a carcinogen that mainly affects the lungs. After they are inhaled, asbestos fibers can remain and accumulate in the lungs. Exposure to high concentrations of asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the membrane that surrounds the lungs and abdomen), and asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring). These diseases are usually fatal. Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure begins. Interactions between cigarette smoke and asbestos increase your chances of getting lung cancer. It is not know whether ingesting asbestos causes cancer. Some people who had been exposed to asbestos fibers in their drinking water had higher-than-average death rates from cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. However, it is not known whether this was caused by asbestos or other factors.

Under most circumstances asbestos in good condition should be left alone. If you think your home may have asbestos do not disturb it. Asbestos that is not crumbly or damaged poses little or no risk. Material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers. If you must remove asbestos, it is recommended that you use a professionally trained and licensed asbestos abatement contractor and insist they use emission control procedures. Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occurr after asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos concentrations and endangering people living in those homes. Asbestos fibers can remain suspended in the air for extended periods of time, increasing the risk of inhalation. Homeowners should be very careful not to disturb asbestos when renovating or doing repairs. There is no danger unless the fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs. Do not cut, rip, or sand asbestos-containing materials.

For do-it-yourselfers conducting home remodeling and renovations, take the following precautions:

• When stripping away asbestos materials, remove whole pieces or ensure that the fragments are as large as possible.
• Wet the materials that are being removed, cut or drilled.
• Place the material that is removed and the debris in heavy duty plastic garbage bags and tie bags carefully. If the asbestos material is in small pieces or powder the waste must go to a recognized asbestos landfill.
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner to pick up dust. Asbestos fibers are so small that they can pass through normal vaccum cleaner filters and become airborne.
• Clean the room or work area with wet mops or sponges. Repeat a second time. Rinse the mops and sponges in running water in a sink or basin with a drain.
• Never sand an asbestos material, especially vinyl-asbestos tiles and linoleum, and avoid cutting and tearing.
• If you are unsure whether or not your home contains asbestos-containing materials, contact you health department, state dept. of environmental protection, or licensed asbestos inspector.

In 1989, the U.S. EPA banned all new uses of asbestos. Uses established before this date, however, are still allowed. For more information on asbestos, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), within the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-447-1544 or visit the ATSDR website.