Skip to content
Mesothelioma.net
phone iconCall1-800-692-8608 chat icon Chat 24/7 Live Chat
Menu
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • About Mesothelioma
      • How to Survive Mesothelioma
      • 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Life Expectancy
    • Types
      • Pleural
      • Peritoneal
      • Epithelioid
      • Sarcomatoid
      • Biphasic
    • Stages
      • Stage 1
      • Stage 2
      • Stage 3
      • Stage 4
    • Additional Information
      • Causes
      • Asbestos and Its Dangers
      • Facts
      • Support
      • Financial Compensation
      • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Options
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Multimodal Therapy
      • Medications
      • Palliative Treatment
    • Find Top Doctors
      • Doctors
      • Treatment Centers
      • Treatment & Doctors Near You
      • New Treatments
      • Care Providers
      • Clinical Trials
      • Costs
  • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
  • Veteran Assistance
    • Mesothelioma and Veterans
      • VA Claims for Mesothelioma
      • Vietnam Veterans
    • Military Branches and Asbestos
      • Navy Veterans
      • Navy Ships
      • Marine Corps Veterans
      • Army Veterans
      • Air Force Veterans
      • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • About Us / Contact
  • Home
  • ›
  • Asbestos
  • ›
  • Occupational Exposure
  • ›
  • Home Remodeling
Page Updated: June 21, 2022

Asbestos Exposure and Home Remodeling

Dave Foster Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Fact Checked

This page has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma Patient Advocate. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date.

Please Contact Us with any questions or comments.

Asbestos exposure most often occurs in the workplace and can cause major health issues, including mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure and home remodeling can also be an issue because many homes built before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed restrictions on it contained asbestos insulation.[1] Disturbing it during a renovation can release asbestos fibers and cause exposure.[2]

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Home Renovation

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can become lodged in the lungs and airways. Once lodged there, they can accumulate and cause internal tissue damage.

Asbestos exposure is linked to several health conditions, including pleural effusions (a buildup of fluid in the space between the chest wall and the lungs), pleural plaque (a thickening of the tissue around the lungs), and asbestosis.[3]

Asbestos inhalation is also the leading risk factor for mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs. This type of cancer is aggressive, spreads quickly, and is often not diagnosed until it is advanced.[3]

Restrictions on Asbestos in the Home

Asbestos was commonly used in construction for years. It was useful for building because it resists heat, fire, electricity, and chemical corrosion.

When scientists discovered the fibers could become airborne and cause illnesses, the EPA placed restrictions on asbestos use; however, the mineral is not completely banned in the United States.[4]

The government initially placed restrictions on certain asbestos-containing building materials in 1973. The EPA banned it completely in 1989.

The federal court system overturned the 1989 ban in 1991.[4] Today, the U.S. is one of few developed nations that have not completely banned asbestos. Asbestos is still used in many home-building materials, but asbestos is required to be contained to prevent it from becoming airborne.

Asbestos-Containing Products

The EPA currently bans asbestos in:

  • Rollboard
  • Corrugated paper
  • Flooring felt
  • Commercial or specialty paper
  • Certain types of spray-applied surfacing materials
  • Pipe insulation
  • Wall patching compound
  • Artificial fireplace embers

Furthermore, any so-called new uses, or products that did not historically have asbestos, cannot contain the mineral.[4]

Due to the overturn of the 1989 EPA ban, several building materials, and other products still contain asbestos:[5]

  • Vinyl floor tiles
  • Cement flat sheet
  • Corrugated sheet
  • Roofing felt
  • Roof coatings
  • Cement pipe
  • Cement shingle
  • Millboard
  • Pipeline wrap
  • Non-roofing coatings

How to Spot Asbestos While Remodeling

Modern homes may also contain asbestos because of the overturned ban; however, older homes built before the mid-1980s pose the greatest risks.

A remodeling project on an older home should include a plan for containing or removing any asbestos discovered. If you are worried about asbestos, you can contact a licensed asbestos contractor for help.[6]

Since there are risks associated with asbestos exposure, it is important to understand where this mineral may be in your home. In many cases, asbestos is well enclosed, keeping fibers contained and protecting people from exposure.

However, as you knock into walls, remove plumbing fixtures and pipes, and do other remodeling work, you may be disturbing asbestos fibers and potentially contaminating the air in the house.

Here are some places that are most likely to have asbestos:[7]

  • Older vinyl and linoleum tiles and the glue used to adhere them to the floor
  • Flat roofing materials
  • Insulation around HVAC ducts, furnaces, and pipes
  • Outdoor siding
  • Caulking and glazing for windows
  • Textured paint
  • Drywall patching and joint compound

If you demolish or remove something in your home and see a white, fibrous material breaking apart, it may or may not be asbestos. It isn’t possible to tell if you have asbestos unless you are an expert and know what to look for.

If you aren’t sure, the best solution is to call in a trained professional. Asbestos abatement professionals can either contain asbestos or remove it, but you should never try to do the job yourself.

Asbestos Abatement

Identifying, containing, or removing asbestos must be done by trained professionals. The risks of exposure are too great to attempt to do this without professional assistance. Licensed asbestos abatement professionals can test for asbestos and deal with it safely.

As you plan to remodel your home, the best way to avoid asbestos exposure is to call a professional before you begin renovations. Find out if you have asbestos in your home and if any may become damaged before you begin. Taking these steps could save a lot of trouble and expense later, not to mention protect you and your family’s health.

Get Your FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster

Dave Foster

Dave has been a mesothelioma Patient Advocate for over 10 years. He consistently attends all major national and international mesothelioma meetings. In doing so, he is able to stay on top of the latest treatments, clinical trials, and research results. He also personally meets with mesothelioma patients and their families and connects them with the best medical specialists and legal representatives available.

Connect with Patient Advocate Dave Foster

References
  1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2014, January 29). Asbestos Toxicity. Where is Asbestos Found?
    Retrieved from: https://mesothelioma.net/asbestos-product-companies/
  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2018, September 17). How Can People Be Exposed to Asbestos?
    Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos#exposed
  3. National Cancer Institute. (2017, June 7). Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk.
    Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet
  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020, March 20). EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos.
    Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/epa-actions-protect-public-exposure-asbestos
  5. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (n.d.) Asbestos in the Home.
    Retrieved from: https://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20180904024727/https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/home/asbestos-home
  6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020, January 2). Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos.
    Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos
  7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2018, September 17). Where Can I Find Asbestos?
    Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos#find
View All References

Site Navigation

Home
Malignant Mesothelioma
How to Survive Mesothelioma
100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
Surviving Mesothelioma - Beating the Odds (Free Book)
FREE Mesothelioma Packet
Symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Cough
Night Sweats and Fever
Weight Loss
Pain
Difficulty Swallowing
Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Gastrointestinal Complications
Diagnosis
Pathology
Staging
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Metastasis and Progression
Brain Metastasis
Biopsy
miRview Test
Imaging
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Mesothelioma
Biomarkers and Blood Tests
Calretinin
Prognosis
Remission
Recurrence
Death Rate
Life Expectancy
Search for a Mesothelioma Cure
Types
Pleural
Peritoneal
Epithelioid
Sarcomatoid
Biphasic
Pericardial
Testicular
Cell Types
Rare Subtypes of Mesothelioma
Deciduoid
Desmoplastic
Heterologous
Lymphohistiocytoid
Well-Differentiated Papillary
Tubulopapillary
Small Cell
Benign
Adenomatoid
Cystic
Unresectable
Localized
Idiopathic
Omental
Causes
Risk Factors
Latest Research
Genetic Components
Incidence
Latency Period
Mesothelioma Tumor
Health Insurance Coverage
Related Conditions
Immunodeficiency Disorders
Cholangiocarcinoma
Atelectasis
Pleural Plaques
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Effusion
Peritoneal Effusion (Ascites)
Mesothelial Hyperplasia and Proliferation
Pleuritis and Pleurisy
COPD
Anemia
Breast Cancer
Prevention
Complications
Misdiagnosis
Mesothelioma Commercial
Talcum Baby Powder
Lawyer
Lawsuits
Class Action Lawsuits
Settlements
Simian Virus 40
Differences From Other Cancers
Lung Cancer
Women
Children and Young Adults
Unknown Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Without Asbestos
Cause of Death
Facts 
History
Awareness
Government and Research
National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank
Support
What to Expect
Living with Mesothelioma
Help a Loved One
Wrong and Right Things to Say
Caregivers
Financial Tips
Faith
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Intimacy
Mesothelioma and Fertility in Men
Fertility in Women with Mesothelioma
Emotional Health
COVID-19
Assisted Living
Hospice Care
Dying from Mesothelioma
Mourning
Coping Guide for Children
End-of-Life Decisions
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Compensation for Victims
Lawyer
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Lawsuit
Settlements
Statute of Limitations
Treatment
Surgery
Side Effects
Pneumonectomy
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Lobectomy
Pleurectomy/Decortication
Post Op Care
Pleurectomy/Decortication vs. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Peritonectomy/Cytoreductive Surgery
Thoracotomy
Thoracoscopy
Pericardiectomy
Wedge Resection
Pleurodesis
Pericardiocentesis
Prosthetics
Paracentesis
Thoracentesis
Chemotherapy
Side Effects
Heated Intraperitoneal
Radiation Therapy
Side Effects
Intensity-Modulated
Brachytherapy
Proton Therapy
Image-Guided
External Beam
Three-Dimensional
Multimodal Therapy
New Treatments
SMART Protocol
Gene Therapy
Suicide Gene Therapy
Tumor-Based p53 Therapy
Cryotherapy for Mesothelioma
Tumor Treating Fields
MicroRNA
Palliative Treatment
Osteopathic
Doctors
Treatment Centers
Treatment & Doctors Near You
Mesothelioma Experts
Medications
Alimta (pemetrexed)
Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Gemzar (gemcitabine)
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
Mitomycin
Navelbine (vinorelbine)
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab)
Paraplatin (carboplatin)
Platinol (cisplatin)
Rheumatrex (methotrexate)
Sutent (sunitinib)
Taxol (paclitaxel)
Medical Marijuana
Care Providers
Clinical Trials
Anetumab Ravtansine
Atezolizumab
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell
Durvalumab
Immunotoxin
Interferon Alfa-2b
Onconase (Ranpirnase)
VISTA Protein
Costs
Immunotherapy
Nanotechnology
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Home Medical Equipment
HMGB1 Secretion
Photodynamic Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Apoptosis
Stem Cells
Lung Transplantation
Body-Based Therapies
Alternative Therapies
Paul Kraus’s Method
Doctors and Treatment in Canada
Asbestos Trusts
Veterans
VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Vietnam Veterans
Military Branches and Asbestos
Navy Veterans
Navy Ships
Aircraft Carriers
Battleships
Destroyers
Asbestos on Navy Cruisers
Submarines
Amphibious Ships
Minesweepers
Auxiliary Ships
Marine Corps Veterans
Army Veterans
Air Force Veterans
U.S. Coast Guard
Asbestos
Occupational Exposure
Construction Workers
Shipyard Workers
Ship Repair
Steel Mill Workers
Industrial Workers
Boiler Workers
Power Plant Workers
Firefighters
Automotive Workers
Roofers
Oil Refineries
Mining
Transportation Industry
Machine Operators
Farmers and Agricultural Workers
Migrant Workers
Electrical Wiring
Labor Unions
Prisons
Chimneys, Furnaces, and Wood Stoves
Fiberglass Connection to Mesothelioma
Home Remodeling
School Buildings, Teachers
For Tech Students
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Pleural Based Cancers
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Companies That Used Asbestos
Awareness and Education
Types of Asbestos & Mesothelioma Risk
Asbestosis
Interstitial Lung Disease
Smoking
Asbestos Ingestion
Exposure in a Natural Disaster
Ban Asbestos
Libby, Montana
Recycling Asbestos
Asbestos Detection
Legal Information by State
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Australia
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • Treatment
    • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
    • Veteran Assistance
    • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
    • Mesothelioma News
    • About Us / Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Editorial Guidelines and Standards
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Mesothelioma.net

5430 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75240

Serving mesothelioma victims nationwide

1-800-692-8608

  • facebook
  • twitter
© 2022 Mesothelioma.net