Think you’re safe from asbestos? Think again. Any building built before the 1980s – whether residential, commercial, or industrial – has a good chance of having been built using asbestos-contaminated materials. The good news is that asbestos is generally safe if it’s undisturbed. But the minute that asbestos is sanded, sawed, torn, or damaged in any other way, its microscopic fibers are released, and you run the risk of inhaling them.
Asbestos removal is a complex and dangerous process that’s best left to asbestos abatement companies. These experts are specially trained in testing for and removing this dangerous material. Here’s what you need to know about their services.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is It Dangerous?
Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral. Until its dangers were realized, it was a common component of construction materials because of its strength, its ability to withstand high temperatures, and its insulating qualities – in fact, its name is from the Greek, meaning “inextinguishable” or “indestructible.”[1] Though it was used for centuries, in a variety of applications, asbestos use exploded in the late 19th century when the Industrial Revolution collided with the discovery of massive mineral deposits, making it both accessible and inexpensive.[2] It began to be incorporated into the fabrication of thousands of building materials, from roof shingles and joint compound to pipe and duct coverings and vinyl floor tiles.
Questions about asbestos safety first arose as early as ancient times. In a document discussing the qualities of the mineral, historian Pliny the Elder both praised its properties and noted that miners exposed to it quickly grew sick.[1] By 1924, the hazards of asbestos dust were noted in the British Medical Journal, and by the 1930s, troubling word about its deadly impact began spreading through the industries incorporating it into their products.[3] Unfortunately, the appeal of profitability outweighed health concerns, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that public pressure and personal injury litigation led companies to discontinue its use. Unfortunately, the asbestos-containing materials that were used in earlier buildings and construction continue to pose real risks.
Though asbestos’ exact mechanism is still not fully understood, it is clear that inhaling or ingesting its microscopic, needle-like fibers causes significant changes and mutations in the body’s cells. Asbestos exposure has been linked to malignant mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, ovarian cancer, and other serious and deadly diseases. Owners of commercial and residential buildings constructed while asbestos was still in use need to be on the lookout for asbestos, and to know what to do if they find it.
Where Asbestos Could Be Hiding
Asbestos was incorporated into so many building components that the list of specific products would fill a book. If you own, live in, or work in a building constructed before the 1980s, knowing the places where you are most likely to find asbestos is essential. They include:[4]
- Roofing
- Siding
- Flooring, especially vinyl floor tiles, their backing, and flooring adhesives
- Pipe insulation, including blankets or tapes
- Wallboard, joint compound, plaster, putty, caulking
- Popcorn ceilings
- Wallpaper and wallpaper adhesives
- Wall and ceiling insulation
- Furnaces and boilers, including parts like gaskets, insulations, and surrounds
- Curtains and fabrics including asbestos pads or blankets
- Artificial logs and embers
- Electrical components, including insulation for wiring, liners for recessed lighting, backing panels, and linings of fuse boxes
- Fireplace chimney flue liners, firebrick, and mortar
- Plumbing fixtures
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. The best way to approach it is with caution and the help of a trained and accredited asbestos abatement professional.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Found Asbestos
Unfortunately, products that contain asbestos are generally not marked to indicate their dangers, making it almost impossible for untrained individuals to tell whether a material is dangerous or not. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the best thing to do if you’re planning to remodel, do demolition work, or have damaged building materials like crumbling drywall and insulation in your home or commercial building is to leave the item alone and call in a trained and accredited asbestos abatement professional.[5]
The EPA provides the following list of Do’s and Don’ts when you suspect that you have asbestos in your home or building. They are:
- Do leave undamaged asbestos-containing materials alone.
- Do keep activities to a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain asbestos, including limiting access to any materials that may contain asbestos.
- Do take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos-containing material.
- Do have removal and major repairs done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by a trained and accredited asbestos professional.
- Don’t dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
- Don’t saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos-containing materials.
- Don’t use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring. Never use a power stripper on flooring that may contain asbestos.
- Don’t sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs replacing install new floor covering over it, if possible.
- Don’t track material that could contain asbestos through the building. If you cannot avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet mop. If the material is from a damaged area or if a large area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional.
What Will an Asbestos Abatement Professional Do?
There are two main types of accredited asbestos professionals: Those who conduct inspections of homes or buildings to assess the danger, and those who can repair or remove asbestos that has been identified.
- Inspectors will take samples of suspected materials for testing and provide you with advice about what needs to be done to address the situation. This is generally either clean up and removal of the materials or sealing it in a way that eliminates the risk of exposure. They may also return to ensure that the job has been done correctly.
- Asbestos contractors will either repair or remove the asbestos materials.
It’s important to note that the laws surrounding asbestos abatement in residential properties are different from those for commercial and industrial properties. Though federal law does not require asbestos professionals who are working in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited, some states and localities do – and you are always better off using professionals who are trained to do the job the right way.
Choosing the Right Asbestos Abatement Professional
- Ask for references and check with the Better Business Bureau and the local agency responsible for worker safety before choosing an asbestos abatement professional
- Request documentation of federal or state-approved training
- To avoid a conflict of interest, make sure that the asbestos inspector has no connection with the firm that will conduct asbestos repairs
- Ensure that your inspection will include a complete visual examination, collection and analysis of samples, and a written evaluation.
- Get a written contract specifying the work plan, cleanup, and any laws or regulations that the contractor will follow, as well as documentation at the end of the job that all of these procedures have been followed.
When it comes to asbestos, safety is the key. Be sure to choose a professional who will avoid spreading or tracking asbestos dust; will dispose of all materials properly; will clean the entire area thoroughly when the work is done using a wet process and HEPA vacuum cleaners; clearly marks the work site as a hazard area; and seals the work area from uncontaminated areas.[5]
If you suspect there is asbestos in your home or building, there is no need to panic, but there is a need to take action. An asbestos abatement professional will provide you with the confidence of knowing that you have addressed the situation in the smartest, and safest way, protecting you from the dangers of this deadly mineral.
If you’ve been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a mesothelioma attorney is your best resource for seeking compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
