According to the U.S. Geological survey Dept, asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products. The six types of asbestos are chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophylite asbestos, tremolite asbestos, and actinolite asbestos. Several properties that make asbestos so versatile and cost effective are high tensile strength, chemical and thermal stability, high flexibility, low electrical conductivity, and large surface area. The leading domestic markets are roofing products, gaskets, and friction products. Nearly all of the asbestos produced worldwide is chrysotile, high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer:
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Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity; and
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Asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
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The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioman increases with the number of fibers inhaled.
The U.S. EPA sites that 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 many release fibers, include:
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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.
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RESILENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), 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.
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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.
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DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
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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.
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PATCHING and JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
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ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled, or cut.
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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.
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AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS and LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.
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Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
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Houses built between 1930 and 1950 many have asbestos as insulation.
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Asbestos many be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
• Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces many contain asbestos. -
Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds
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Walls and floors around wood burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, and cement sheet.
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Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.\ Hot water and steam pipes in older houses many be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
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Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.
Asbestos material that is in good condition does not release asbestos fibers and causes no health risks. However, if you suspect a material is asbestos it should be regularly checked for damage. You can’t tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by qualified professional. OTS has qualified, licensed professionals that are able to take samples and determine the risk of asbestos materials releasing fibers into the environment.