You’re likely familiar with asbestos, but have you ever wondered if you have this carcinogenic substance in your home or workplace?
Asbestos was commonly used in the United States in building materials during the 1940’s through the 1970’s due to it’s fire and chemical-resistant properties. However, in the 1950’s, researchers discovered links between asbestos exposure and serious health issues like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Most manufacturers discontinued the use of asbestos in the 1980’s, but the US has yet to ban asbestos.
How is Asbestos Harmful to Health?
Asbestos becomes a health risk when its fibers become airborne after it’s been disturbed in some way. When inhaled, these fibers can lodge themselves into the lungs, causing scarring and abnormal cell growth, leading to a number of cancers including mesothelioma.
Additionally, asbestos can cause asbestosis, a serious lung condition, as well as lung cancer and a number of other types of cancer.
Where is Asbestos Found in Homes?
Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, buildings, and naturally in the environment. Common asbestos-containing products that can be found in the home include:
- Insulation materials for pipes and furnaces, and attic insulation
- Asbestos and cement shingles
- Siding and roofing tiles
- Soundproofing applications
- Plaster and joint compounds
- Some plastics, including paints and adhesives
- Casings for electrical wires
- Some floor tiles and flooring adhesives
What If I Find or Suspect Asbestos?
While asbestos is regarded as safe if left undisturbed, asbestos-related disease in patients typically do not show symptoms until 10-40 years after they have been exposed. If you’re planning a remodel or if you discover fire damaged building materials in your home, you should hire a licensed professional and asbestos management procedures should be detailed and undertaken with the utmost care. Get your FREE mesothelioma guide HERE.
I know that asbestos used to be a common material used in construction, but now it is well-known that they should be removed. However, I had no idea that about 30 million pounds of the stuff is still used each year. How can I, as someone who is currently contracting someone to build me a house, make sure that none of the stuff is used in my drywall, floors, or other parts of my house?
Faylinn,
You can visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for more information. On new construction today, most products do not contain asbestos. Those 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 are listed on the CPSC site! Hope this helps!
This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that asbestos can be found in floor tiles. My husband and I just moved into an older home, and we’d like to renovate several rooms. I’m worried there might be asbestos in the tiling though, so we’ll definitely make sure to have a professional come and remove that before we start any projects. Thanks for the great post!
I really like that you talked about what to look for when you are trying to find asbestos. The last thing I want to do is have asbestos while I’m trying to raise my children. However, there are undoubtedly things to look for when are trying to stay safe. Do you have any other tips about getting rid of asbestos?
It got me when you pointed out that asbestos can be inhaled and that it is dangerous because once inhaled, it attaches to the lungs and cause various illness, including cancer. I didn’t know that something like that can be lurking in my house where five kids live. It might be best if I call a professional to give the house and check and see if there is asbestos so that we can treat it ASAP.