This information is intended to help you understand Asbestos. What is Asbestos? Its health effects of Asbestos? Where is Asbestos in your home? And what to do about Asbestos? And even if Asbestos is in your home, this is usually NOT a serious problem. The main presence of Asbestos in a home or in your building is not hazardous at all. The problem and danger is that many Asbestos materials may become damaged over time. Then damaged Asbestos may release Asbestos fibers and become a health hazard.
HERE'S THE BEST THING TO DO WITH ASBESTOS MATERIAL THAT IS IN GOOD CONDITION IS TO LEAVE IT ALONE!
Disturbing it will create a health hazard that did not exist before. Please read this before you have any asbestos material inspected, removed, or repaired.
Some of Asbestos Frequently Asked Questions
Many ask what Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It is very small, so it can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are many and several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, Asbestos was added to a variety of products so that it could strengthen them and so that it could provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
Here's How Asbestos Can Affect Your Health?
From the studies of many people who were exposed to Asbestos in many factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of Asbestos fibers can and will lead to a highly increased risk of:
lung cancer:
-- mesothelioma, a cancer located in the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity; and
-- asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.
The possible risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increases with the number of fibers inhaled. The possible risk of lung cancer from inhaling Asbestos fibers is also highly greater if you smoke. The people who get Asbestosis have most usually been exposed to high levels of Asbestos for a very long period of time. The many symptoms of these diseases of Asbestos will not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.
Many people who's exposed to the small amounts of Asbestos, which includes all of us in our daily lives, do not develop these health problems. However, if it is disturbed, Asbestos material may and will release Asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The Asbestos fibers can remain there for a very long period of time, which will increase the risk of disease. The Asbestos material that will crumble easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, this Asbestos material is more likely to create a health hazard.
Here's Where You Can Find Asbestos And When It Can It Be A Problem?
Many and most products made today do not contain Asbestos. The few products made today which still contain Asbestos that could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, until around the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in many homes contained Asbestos. Many common products that might have contained Asbestos in the past, and the conditions which may release fibers, include:
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an Asbestos blanket or an Asbestos paper tape. These materials will release Asbestos fibers if it is damaged, repaired, or it it is removed improperly.
RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl Asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES usually used for installing floor tile. Sanding the tiles can release fibers. Also so may scraping or sanding the backing of the sheet flooring during removal.
CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER that is used as insulation around the furnaces and woodburning stoves. Repairing or removing many appliances may release Asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing the insulation.
DOOR GASKETS in many furnaces, wood stoves, and many coal stoves. Also worn seals can release the Asbestos fibers during use.
SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE MATERIAL that is sprayed on the walls and the ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. Also so will sanding, drilling, or scraping the material.
PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for the walls and the ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling any of these surfaces may release Asbestos.
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. All of these products are not likely to release Asbestos fibers unless sawed, dilled, or cut.
ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS that is sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, all other older household products such as the FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and also certain HAIRDRYERS.
AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.
Here's Where Asbestos Can Be Hazards If Found In The Home?
Most roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
Many houses built between the year 1930 and 1950 might have asbestos as insulation.
Asbestos may most likely be present in textured paint and also in patching compounds used on the wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in the year 1977.
Artificial ashes and embers sold for the use in gas-fired fireplaces may most likely contain Asbestos.
Many older products such as stove-top pads may most likely have some asbestos compounds.
The walls and floors around woodburning stoves can be protected with Asbestos paper, millboard, or the cement sheets.
Asbestos is found most likely in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on the vinyl sheet flooring and many adhesives.
Hot water and steam pipes in many older houses may most likely be coated with an Asbestos material or covered with an Asbestos blanket or tape.
Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets most likely will have Asbestos insulation.
Here's What Should Be Done About Asbestos In The Home?
If you think Asbestos may be in your home, please do not panic! Most likely the best thing is to leave the Asbestos material that is in good condition alone.
Generally, the material that is in good condition will not release the Asbestos fibers. HIGHLY, THERE IS NO DANGER unless the fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs.
You should check the material often if you suspect it may contain Asbestos. Don't touch it, you should look for the signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, and water damage. The damaged material may release the Asbestos fibers. This is positively true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.
Most of the time, the best way to deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to the area and do not touch it or disturb it. You should discard the damaged or worn Asbestos gloves, the stove-top pads, and the ironing board covers. You should check with local health, environmental, and the other appropriate officials to find out the proper handling and the disposal procedures.
If the Asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if decide that you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, you should get it repaired or removed by a professional. Also before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
Here's How You Can Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos?
You can not tell whether a material contains Asbestos just simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If you're in doubt, you should treat the material as if it contains Asbestos or you should have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. The professional should take samples for analysis, since the professional knows what to look for, and because there may highly be an increased health risk if the fibers are released. In fact, if it is done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. It is not recommended that you take samples yourself. If you go ahead and decide to take the samples yourself, please take care not to release the Asbestos fibers into the air or onto yourself. The material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should always be left alone. Only the material that is damaged or the material that will be disturbed should be sampled. Any person who samples Asbestos-containing materials should always have as much information as possible on the handling of Asbestos before sampling, and at a minimum, you should observe the following procedures:
Make sure that no one else is in the room when the sampling is done.
You should wear disposable gloves or wash your hands after sampling.
You should shut down any of the heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
You should not disturb the material any more than it is needed to take a small sample.
You should place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area that is to be sampled.
You should wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before you take the sample. The water with detergent mist will reduce the release of the Asbestos fibers.
You should carefully cut a piece from the entire depth of the material by using, a small knife, corer, or other sharp objects. You should place the small piece into a clean container (something like a 35 mm film canister, a small glass or plastic vial, or a high quality resealable plastic bag).
You should tightly seal the container after you put the sample in it.
You should carefully dispose of the plastic sheet. You should use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or that is around the area sampled. You should dispose of the Asbestos materials according to your state and local procedures.
You should label the container with an identification number and you should clearly state when and where the sample was taken.
You should patch the sampled area with the smallest possible piece of duct tape that you could find to prevent the fiber release.
You should send the sample to an Asbestos Analysis Laboratory that is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) located at the National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST). The directory of NVLAP-accredited laboratories is available on the NVLAP web site. Also your state or local health department may also be able to help.
Here's How You Should Manage An Asbestos Problem?
If the Asbestos material in question is in good shape and will not be disturbed, you should do nothing! If it is a problem, here are two types of corrections: Repair and Removal.
Repair: Will usually involve either sealing or covering Asbestos material.
Sealing (encapsulation) involves treating the Asbestos material with a sealant that either will bind the Asbestos fibers together or will coat the Asbestos material so the fibers are not released. Pipe, furnace, and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired with this way. Also this should be done only by a professional that is trained to handle Asbestos safely.
Covering (enclosure) involves placing something over or around the Asbestos material that contains Asbestos to prevent release of the fibers. Also exposed insulated piping may be covered with a protective wrap or jacket.
With any type of repair, the Asbestos will remain in place. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, but it may make the later removal of asbestos, if necessary, more difficult and very costly. The repairs can either be major or minor.
The major repairs should be done only by a professional that is trained in methods for safely handling with Asbestos.
The minor repairs should also be done by professionals since there is always a high risk of exposure to the fibers when the Asbestos is disturbed.
Doing minor repairs yourself is highly not recommended since improper handling of Asbestos materials can create a hazard where none existed. If you nevertheless choose to do minor repairs, you should have as much information as possible on the handling of Asbestos before you do anything. You should contact your state or your local health department or your regional EPA office for more information about the Asbestos training programs in your area. Also your local school district may also have information about Asbestos professionals and training programs for the school buildings. Even if you have completed a training program, you should not try anything more than minor repairs. Before you undertake minor repairs, you should carefully examine the area around the damage to make sure that it is stable. As a general matter, any damaged area which is bigger than the size of your hand is not a minor repair.
Before you undertake any minor repairs, you should be sure to follow all the precautions that is described earlier for sampling the Asbestos material. Always wet the Asbestos material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent. All commercial products designed to fill holes and seal damaged areas are available. Small areas of material such as the pipe insulation can be covered by wrapping a special fabric, such as rewettable glass cloth, around it. These products are available from stores (listed in the telephone directory under Safety Equipment and Clothing") which specialize in the Asbestos materials and safety items.
Removal: Will usually be the most expensive method, and unless it is required by state or local regulations, it should be the last option considered in most situations.
Why? This is because the removal poses the greatest risk of the fiber release. However, removal may be required when remodeling or when making major changes to your home that will disturb the Asbestos material. Also, the removal may be called for if the asbestos material is damaged very extensively and cannot be otherwise repaired. Removal is complex and it should be done only by a contractor that has special training. Improper removal will actually increase the health risks to you and your family.
Who Are Asbestos Professionals? And What Can They Do?
Many Asbestos professionals are trained in handling the Asbestos material. These type of professionals will depend on the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the problem. You should hire a general Asbestos contractor, or in most cases, a professional that is trained to handle specific products that contains Asbestos.
The Asbestos professionals will conduct home inspections, they will take samples of the suspected material, they will assess its condition, and they will advise about what corrections are needed and who is qualified to make these corrections. Again, i will say that material in good condition need not be sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. Professional correction or abatement contractors repair or remove the Asbestos materials.
Most firms offer a combinations of testing, assessment, and correction. A professional that is hired to assess the need for corrective action should not be connected with an asbestos-correction firm. It is better for you to use two different firms so that there is no conflict of interest. Services may vary from one area to another around the country.
The federal government has training courses for the Asbestos professionals around the country. Some state and local governments will also have or require training or certification courses. Ask the Asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal or state-approved training. Each person performing the work in your home should provide proof of training and licensing in Asbestos work, such as completion of EPA-approved training. The state and local health departments or the EPA regional offices may have listings of licensed professionals in your area.
If you have a problem that requires the services of an Asbestos professional, you should check their credentials carefully. Only hire professionals who are trained, experienced, reputable, and accredited - especially if accreditation is required by your state or local laws. Before you hire a professional, you should ask for their references from previous clients. You should find out if they were satisfied. You should ask whether the professional has handled similar situations. You should get cost and estimates from several professionals, as the charges for these services will vary.
Though many private homes are usually not covered by the Asbestos regulations that apply to schools and public buildings, the professionals should still use procedures described during federal or state-approved training. Every homeowner should be alert to the chance of misleading claims by Asbestos consultants and contractors. There have been many reports of firms incorrectly claiming that Asbestos materials in homes must be replaced. In other cases, firms have encouraged unnecessary removals or have performed them improperly. Unnecessary removals are a waste of money. Improper removals will actually increase the health risks to you and your family. The way to guard against this, is to know what services are available and what procedures and precautions are needed to do the job properly.
In addition to general Asbestos contractors, you may select a roofing, flooring, or plumbing contractor trained to handle Asbestos when it is necessary to remove and replace the roofing, flooring, siding, or Asbestos-cement pipe that is part of the water system. Normally, the roofing and flooring contractors are exempt from state and local licensing requirements because they do not perform any other Asbestos-correction work. Call 1-800-USA-ROOF for the names of qualified roofing contractors in your area. (Illinois residents call 708-318-6722.) For more information on Asbestos in floors, read the "Recommended Work Procedures for Resilient Floor Covers." Also you can write them for a copy from the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12-B, Rockville, MD 20850. You should enclose a stamped, business-size, self-addressed envelope.
Also Asbestos-containing automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets should be repaired and replaced only by a professional using special protective equipment. Many of these products are now available without Asbestos. For more information, you should read "Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics," available from your regional EPA offices.
Here's What To Do If You Hire A Professional Asbestos Inspector
You should make sure that the inspection will include a complete visual examination and the careful collection and lab analysis of samples. If asbestos is present, the inspector should provide a written evaluation describing its location and extent of damage, and give recommendations for correction or prevention.
You should make sure an inspecting firm makes frequent site visits if he is hired to assure that a contractor follows proper procedures and requirements. The inspector may recommend and perform checks after the correction to assure the area has been properly cleaned.
Here's What To Do If You Hire A Corrective-Action Contractor
You should check with your local air pollution control board, the local agency responsible for worker safety, and the Better Business Bureau. Ask if the firm has had any safety violations. Also find out if there are legal actions filed against it.
You should insist that the contractor use the proper equipment to do the job. All workers must wear approved respirators, gloves, and other protective clothing.
Before work begins, you should get a written contract specifying the work plan, cleanup, and the applicable federal, state, and local regulations which the contractor must follow (such as notification requirements and Asbestos disposal procedures). You should contact your state and local health departments, EPA's regional office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's regional office to find out what the regulations are. Also be sure the contractor follows local Asbestos removal and disposal laws. At the end of the job, be sure to get written assurance from the contractor that all the procedures have been followed.
You should assure that the contractor avoids spreading or tracking Asbestos dust into other areas of your home. They should seal the work area from the rest of the house using plastic sheeting and duct tape, and also turn off the heating and air conditioning system. For most repairs, such as pipe insulation removal, plastic glove bags may be adequate. They should be sealed with tape and properly disposed of when the job is complete.
You should make sure the work site is clearly marked as a hazard area. Do not allow household members and pets into the area until work is completed.
You should insist that the contractor apply a wetting agent to the Asbestos material with a hand sprayer that creates a fine mist before removal. Wet fibers do not float in the air as easily as dry fibers and it will be easier to clean it up.
You should make sure the contractor does not break removed material into small pieces. This will release the Asbestos fibers into the air. Pipe insulation was usually installed in preformed blocks and it should be removed in complete pieces.
You should upon completion, assure that the contractor cleans the area well with wet mops, wet rags, sponges, or HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaners. A regular vacuum cleaner should never be used. Wetting helps reduce the chance of spreading the Asbestos fibers in the air. All asbestos materials and disposable equipment and clothing used in the job must be placed in sealed, leakproof, and labeled plastic bags. Also the work site should be visually free of dust and debris. Air monitoring (to make sure there is no increase of Asbestos fibers in the air) may be necessary to assure that the contractor's job is done properly. This should be done by someone not connected with the contractor.
CAUTION!
You should not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain Asbestos. These steps will disturb the tiny Asbestos fibers and may release them into the air. You should remove the dust by wet mopping or with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner that is used by trained Asbestos contractors.
Here's Asbestos Do's And Don'ts For The Homeowner
You should keep activities to a minimum in any of the areas having damaged material that may contain Asbestos.
You should take every precaution possible to avoid damaging the Asbestos material.
You should have removal and major repair done only by people that is trained and qualified in handling Asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by Asbestos professionals.
You shouldn't dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain Asbestos.
You shouldn't saw, sand, scrape, or drill any holes in the Asbestos materials.
You shouldn't use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from Asbestos flooring. Also never use a power stripper on a dry floor.
You shouldn't sand or try to level Asbestos flooring or its backing. When Asbestos flooring needs replacing, you should install new floorcovering over it, if possible.
You shouldn't track material that could contain Asbestos through the house. 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, you should call an Asbestos professional.
