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What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring strong mineral fiber that is resistant to heat and has many desirable properties. The most common asbestos types are the amphiboles amosite and crocidolite (which are brown and blue) and chrysotile (white). In the U.S., about 95% of asbestos used is chrysotile.
Because asbestos fibers are resistant to heat and most chemicals, they have been used as insulation materials in many residential and commercial buildings throughout the country. Examples of materials that may contain asbestos include: vinyl floor tiles, pipe insulation, thermal system insulation on mechanical equipment, acoustical plaster ceilings, structural steel fireproofing, ceiling tiles, roofing materials, transite panels in laboratory hoods, and lab bench tops. These materials do not pose a health risk to building occupants when they are intact and well maintained.
Contrary to popular belief, not all asbestos is truly hazardous. When asbestos-containing materials (materials containing 1% or more asbestos) are structurally intact, they are generally not hazardous as their fibers aren't available for inhalation. However, when the fibers are damaged, they are rendered friable. The official working definition for friable materials is those which are able to be crushed or destroyed by human hand pressure. If any asbestos-containing material is in this condition it is potentially hazardous and necessitating abatement
Asbestos fibers can cause health problems if inhaled. When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled deep into the lung. Many fibers deposited in the lung are retained there for long periods of time, others may be translocated to other parts of the body (e.g., the lining of the lung and abdomen), and others are completely cleared, albeit slowly. The fibers can cause chronic local inflammation and disrupt orderly cell division, both of which can facilitate the development of asbestosis and cancer. Thus, inhalation of asbestos fibers can initiate a chain of events resulting in cancer or other asbestos-related illness, which may not become apparent for years, even long after the exposure has ended.
Common Items Containing Asbestos
Most products made today do not contain asbestos. However, until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibers, include:
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly.
RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber) and the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing insulation.
DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
SOUNDPROOFING or DECORATIVE MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling, or scraping the material.
PATCHING and JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled, or cut.
ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and certain HAIRDRYERS.