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Asbestos in Your Home
This document will help you understand asbestos:
what it is, its health effects, where it is in your home, and what to do about
it. Hard copies are available from the
TSCA Hotline and the Asbestos
Ombudsman.
What Is
Asbestos?
How Can Asbestos Affect My Health?
Where Can I Find Asbestos And When Can It
Be A Problem?
What Should Be Done About Asbestos In
The Home?
Asbestos Professionals: Who Are They
And What Can They Do?
For More Information
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber.
It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There
are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a
variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire
resistance.
How Can Asbestos Affect
My Health?
From studies of people who
were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high
levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of:
 |
lung cancer:
-- mesothelioma, a cancer
of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity; and
-- asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous
tissue. |
The risk of lung cancer and
mesothelioma increases with the number of fibers inhaled. The risk of lung
cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is also greater if you smoke. People who
get asbestosis have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long
time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30
years after the first exposure to asbestos.
Most people exposed to small
amounts of asbestos, as we all are in our daily lives, do not develop these
health problems. However, if disturbed, asbestos material may release asbestos
fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain there for a
long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material that would crumble
easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is
more likely to create a health hazard.
Where Can I Find
Asbestos And When Can It Be A Problem?
Most products made today do
not contain asbestos. Those few products made which still contain asbestos that
could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, 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 may 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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RESILIENT 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 woodburning 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, dilled, 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. |
Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The
Home
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Some roofing and siding
shingles are made of asbestos cement. |
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Houses built between 1930 and
1950 may have asbestos as insulation. |
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Asbestos may be present in
textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints.
Their use was banned in 1977. |
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Artificial ashes and embers
sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos. |
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Older products such as
stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds. |
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Walls and floors around
woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or
cement sheets. |
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Asbestos is found in some vinyl
floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
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Hot water and steam pipes in
older houses may 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. |
What Should Be Done
About Asbestos In The Home?
If you think asbestos may be
in your home, don't panic! Usually the best thing is to LEAVE asbestos material
that is in good condition ALONE.
Generally, material in good
condition will not release asbestos fibers. THERE IS NO DANGER unless fibers are
released and inhaled into the lungs.
Check material regularly if
you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear
or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may
release asbestos fibers. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by
hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or
air flow.
Sometimes, the best way to
deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to the area and not touch
or disturb it. Discard damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or
ironing board covers. Check with local health, environmental, or other
appropriate officials to find out proper handling and disposal procedures.
If asbestos material is more
than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that
might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Before you have
your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
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How To Identify Materials That Contain
Asbestos
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 it contains asbestos or
have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. A professional
should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look
for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are
released. In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous
than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not
recommended. If you nevertheless choose to take the samples yourself, take
care not to release asbestos fibers into the air or onto yourself.
Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by
remodeling, for example) should be left alone. Only material that is
damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. Anyone who samples
asbestos-containing materials should have as much information as possible
on the handling of asbestos before sampling, and at a minimum, should
observe the following procedures:
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Make sure no one else is in
the room when sampling is done. |
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Wear disposable gloves or
wash hands after sampling. |
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Shut down any heating or
cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
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Do not disturb the material
any more than is needed to take a small sample. |
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Place a plastic sheet on
the floor below the area to be sampled. |
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Wet the material using a
fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the
sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos
fibers. |
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Carefully cut a piece from
the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife,
corer, or other sharp object. Place the small piece into a clean
container (for example, a 35 mm film canister, small glass or plastic
vial, or high quality resealable plastic bag). |
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Tightly seal the container
after the sample is in it. |
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Carefully dispose of the
plastic sheet. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the
outside of the container or around the area sampled. Dispose of asbestos
materials according to state and local procedures. |
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Label the container with an
identification number and clearly state when and where the sample was
taken. |
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Patch the sampled area with
the smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.
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Send the sample to an
asbestos analysis laboratory accredited by the National Voluntary
Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST). A directory of NVLAP-accredited
laboratories is available on the
NVLAP web site.
Your state or local health department may also be able to help.
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How To Manage An Asbestos Problem
If the asbestos material is
in good shape and will not be disturbed, do nothing! If it is a problem, there
are two types of corrections: repair and removal.
REPAIR usually involves
either sealing or covering asbestos material.
Sealing (encapsulation)
involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos
fibers together or coats the material so fibers are not released. Pipe,
furnace, and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired this way. This should
be done only by a professional trained to handle asbestos safely.
Covering (enclosure)
involves placing something over or around the material that contains asbestos
to prevent release of fibers. Exposed insulated piping may be covered with a
protective wrap or jacket.
With any type of repair,
the asbestos remains in place. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, but it
may make later removal of asbestos, if necessary, more difficult and costly.
Repairs can either be major or minor.
Asbestos
Do's And Don'ts For The Homeowner
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Do keep activities to a
minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain asbestos.
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Do take every precaution to
avoid damaging asbestos material. |
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Do have removal and major
repair done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is
highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by
asbestos professionals. |
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Don't dust, sweep, or
vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. |
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Don't saw, sand, scrape, or
drill holes in asbestos materials. |
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Don't use abrasive pads or
brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring. Never
use a power stripper on a dry floor. |
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Don't sand or try to level
asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs
replacing, install new floorcovering over it, if possible. |
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Don'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, call an
asbestos professional. |
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Major repairs must be done
only by a professional trained in methods for safely handling asbestos.
Minor repairs should also be
done by professionals since there is always a risk of exposure to fibers when
asbestos is disturbed.
Doing minor repairs yourself
is 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
doing anything. Contact your state or local health department or regional EPA
office for information about asbestos training programs in your area. Your local
school district may also have information about asbestos professionals and
training programs for school buildings. Even if you have completed a training
program, do not try anything more than minor repairs. Before undertaking minor
repairs, carefully examine the area around the damage to make sure 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 undertaking minor
repairs, be sure to follow all the precautions described earlier for sampling
asbestos material. Always wet the asbestos material using a fine mist of water
containing a few drops of detergent. Commercial products designed to fill holes
and seal damaged areas are available. Small areas of material such as 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
asbestos materials and safety items.
REMOVAL is usually the most
expensive method and, unless required by state or local regulations, should be
the last option considered in most situations. This is because removal poses the
greatest risk of fiber release. However, removal may be required when remodeling
or making major changes to your home that will disturb asbestos material. Also,
removal may be called for if asbestos material is damaged extensively and cannot
be otherwise repaired. Removal is complex and must be done only by a contractor
with special training. Improper removal may actually increase the health risks
to you and your family.
Asbestos
Professionals: Who Are They And What Can They Do?
Asbestos professionals are
trained in handling asbestos material. The type of professional will depend on
the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the problem. You may
hire a general asbestos contractor or, in some cases, a professional trained to
handle specific products containing asbestos.
Asbestos professionals can
conduct home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess its
condition, and advise about what corrections are needed and who is qualified to
make these corrections. Once again, material in good condition need not be
sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. Professional correction or
abatement contractors repair or remove asbestos materials.
Some firms offer combinations
of testing, assessment, and correction. A professional hired to assess the need
for corrective action should not be connected with an asbestos-correction firm.
It is better to use two different firms so there is no conflict of interest.
Services vary from one area to another around the country.
The federal government has
training courses for asbestos professionals around the country. Some state and
local governments also have or require training or certification courses. Ask
asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal or state-approved
training. Each person performing work in your home should provide proof of
training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion of EPA-approved
training. State and local health departments or EPA regional offices may have
listings of licensed professionals in your area.
If you have a problem that
requires the services of asbestos professionals, check their credentials
carefully. Hire professionals who are trained, experienced, reputable, and
accredited - especially if accreditation is required by state or local laws.
Before hiring a professional, ask for references from previous clients. Find out
if they were satisfied. Ask whether the professional has handled similar
situations. Get cost estimates from several professionals, as the charges for
these services can vary.
Though private homes are
usually not covered by the asbestos regulations that apply to schools and public
buildings, professionals should still use procedures described during federal or
state-approved training. Homeowners should be alert to the chance of misleading
claims by asbestos consultants and contractors. There have been reports of firms
incorrectly claiming that asbestos materials in homes must be replaced. In other
cases, firms have encouraged unnecessary removals or performed them improperly.
Unnecessary removals are a waste of money. Improper removals may actually
increase the health risks to you and your family. To guard against this, 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 roofing,
flooring, siding, or asbestos-cement pipe that is part of a water system.
Normally, 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 names of qualified roofing contractors in your
area. (Illinois residents call 708-318-6722.) For information on asbestos in
floors, read "Recommended Work Procedures for Resilient Floor Covers." You can
write for a copy from the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford
Drive, Suite 12-B, Rockville, MD 20850. Enclose a stamped, business-size,
self-addressed envelope.
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,
read "Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics," available
from regional EPA offices.
If You Hire A Professional Asbestos
Inspector
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Make sure that the inspection
will include a complete visual examination and the careful ollection 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. |
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Make sure an inspecting firm
makes frequent site visits if it 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. |
If You Hire A Corrective-Action Contractor
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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.
Find out if there are legal actions filed against it. |
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Insist that the contractor use
the proper equipment to do the job. The workers must wear approved
respirators, gloves, and other protective clothing. |
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Before work begins, 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). 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. Be sure the contractor follows local asbestos
removal and disposal laws. At the end of the job, get written assurance from
the contractor that all procedures have been followed. |
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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 some repairs, such as pipe insulation removal, plastic glove
bags may be adequate. They must be sealed with tape and properly disposed of
when the job is complete. |
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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. |
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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 will be easier to clean up. |
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Make sure the contractor does
not break removed material into small pieces. This could release asbestos
fibers into the air. Pipe insulation was usually installed in preformed
blocks and should be removed in complete pieces. |
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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 must never be used. Wetting helps reduce the chance of spreading
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. 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.
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Caution!
Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum
debris that may contain asbestos. These steps will disturb tiny asbestos
fibers and may release them into the air. Remove dust by wet mopping or
with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos contractors. |
For more
information
Contact your local
American Lung Association
for
copies of:
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Indoor Air Pollution Fact Sheet -
Asbestos |
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Air Pollution In Your Home?
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Other publications on indoor
pollution |
For more information on
asbestos in other consumer products, call the CPSC Hotline or write to the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207. The CPSC Hotline has
information on certain appliances and products, such as the brands and models of
hair dryers that contain asbestos. Call CPSC at 1-800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter
(TTY) for the hearing impaired is available at 1-800-638-8270. The Maryland TTY
number is 1-800-492-8104.
To find out whether your
state has a training and certification program for asbestos removal contractors,
and for information on EPA's asbestos programs, call the EPA at 202-554-1404.
For more information on
asbestos identification and control activities, contact the Asbestos Coordinator
in the EPA Regional
Office for your region, or your state or local health department.
Statement by the American Lung
Association: The Statements in this brochure are
based in part upon the results of a workshop concerning asbestos in the home
which was sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the
American Lung Association (ALA). The sponsors believe that this brochure
provides an accurate summary of useful information discussed at the workshop and
obtained from other sources. However, ALA did not develop the underlying
information used to create the brochure and does not warrant the accuracy and
completeness of such information. ALA emphasizes that asbestos should not be
handled, sampled, removed or repaired by anyone other than a qualified
professional.
Prepared By the
American Lung Association,(The Christmas Seal People),
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and
The Environmental Protection Agency
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