Asbestos Education

Asbestos was a widely used building material in homes through 1970s, becoming less common in the 1980s and '90s. This naturally occurring mineral features heat and fire-resistant characteristics, as well as excellent insulating properties. These characteristics made it an ideal material for use in ceiling and floor tiles, roofing and flooring materials, insulation, siding, water pipes, and duct work, to name a few. In fact, any home built prior to 1980s, which is when the Environmental Protection Agency began restricting its use, probably contains asbestos in some part of the home. Found in domestic products ranging from ovens to clothing, asbestos was also avidly added to construction materials (such as insulation, siding, roofing, cements, shingles, pipe coverings and more).

The qualities that made asbestos such a popular material in building components have been known for centuries. Asbestos has been mined from the earth and woven into cloth since ancient times. Back then, these clothes were used to wrap people prior to cremation. The wealthy even had tablecloths and napkins woven from asbestos cloth. When meals were finished, slaves tossed the clothes into a fire to clean them.

Along with the fireproof abilities of asbestos fibers, ancient cultures also recognized the laves that worked around asbestos fibers (through mining and production of products) often became weak and sickly and died at a young age. In fact, some went as far as to refuse to buy slaves that had worked around asbestos.

Asbestos exposure causes a variety of lung ailments, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and esothelioma cancer. Asbestosis is a chronic and progressive inflammation of the lungs that causes shortness of breath and culminates in respiratory failure or develops into cancer. Mesothelioma is an invasive and aggressive form of cancer that affects the body's mesothelial cells and has a low rate of cure. Asbestosis affects the lungs themselves, while pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of mesothelioma, is affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos exposure is most common when a person works around asbestos, such as mining or manufacturing asbestos-containing products. However, any type of asbestos exposure is harmful to human health, and considering the number of older homes that contain asbestos, it is important to understand the risks.

Asbestos materials in good repair pose little or no health hazard. But asbestos-containing materials that become worn or damaged are a serious cause for concern. The mineral can be broken down into such small fibers that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. These microscopic pieces of asbestos are jagged and resemble tiny swords. When the fibers become airborne they are easily inhaled. Once inhaled or ingested, they become lodged in cells and are extremely difficult to break down.

If you live in a home built prior to 1978 then it is safe to assume that it contains asbestos. While this can be disconcerting, it is important to remember that asbestos fibers only become airborne if they are damaged or decaying from age. As long as the materials in your home are in good condition and are not too old, then asbestos exposure should not be a major concern yet.

If you cannot afford to replace these toxic materials immediately, it is important to seal-off or keep asbestos products in good condition to extend the time before they must be replaced. Do not drill into or sand materials that you suspect may contain asbestos, as this will instantly release the bound asbestos fibers. If flooring contains asbestos and becomes damaged, it can be left in place and covered with new flooring.

As areas of the home become worn, or you are ready to remodel for other reasons, it is important to take proper precautions so you do not endanger the safety of your family. If you are an experienced handyman that can afford the expense of buying the proper safety equipment and would like to conduct the asbestos removal on your own, it is vital to follow the guidelines established by the EPA as to the proper way to remove and dispose of the asbestos-containing material. Understand that you are taking the risk of exposing yourself and your family by not hiring a professional to remove the hazardous materials. Before you begin, it’s also important to check your state laws, as in some states it is illegal to perform your own asbestos removal.