Asbestos is a naturally-occurring
mineral fiber. It is used in building construction for its strength, fire
resistance, and insulation properties. Many asbestos products have been
banned, and manufacturers have voluntarily limited use of asbestos in many
products due to risks of lung disease. However, asbestos can still be found
in a variety of materials today.
Health Risks of Asbestos
Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer,
mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), and asbestosis
(irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). People who get these
diseases have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long
time. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up for many
years. We are all exposed to small amounts of asbestos in our daily
lives, and most people do not develop asbestos-related health problems.
However, disturbing asbestos material may release fibers into the air, which
can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can stay in the lungs for a
long time, increasing the risk of disease. Smoking also increases the risk
of asbestos-related diseases.
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Common
Products Containing Asbestos
- Roofing and siding shingles
- Insulation in houses built between 1930-1950
- Textured paint patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints
(banned in 1977)
- Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings
- Artificial ashes and embers in gas fireplaces
- Old stove-top pads and ironing board covers
- Walls and floors around woodburning stoves
- Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and
adhesives
- Asbestos blanket or tape on hot water and steam pipes or furnace
ducts
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets
- Automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets
- Additional asbestos-containing materials can be found on the EPA's
website
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Asbestos Safety
Tips
- Do take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material.
- Don't dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
- Don't saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials.
- 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.
- Don't sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When
asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floorcovering over it, if
possible.
- Do limit access to areas with damaged materials that may contain
asbestos.
- 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.
- 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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Asbestos
Testing
You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it,
unless it is labeled. When in doubt, treat the material as if it contains
asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. Taking
samples yourself is not recommended. If not done correctly, sampling can be
more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Only material that is
damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. You can find an asbestos
sampling company in the phone book under “environmental services”.
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Asbestos Remediation
If you think asbestos may be in your home, the best thing is to
do is to LEAVE IT ALONE if it appears to be in good
condition. There is no danger unless asbestos is disturbed,
and fibers are released into the air and breathed into the lungs. Don't
touch the asbestos, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears,
scuffs, or water damage. You may release fibers if you disturb the asbestos
by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to 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. In addition, you
should double-bag and discard damaged or worn asbestos-containing items such
as gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers.
If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going
to make changes in your home that might disturb it, you need to have it
repaired or removed by a professional:
- REPAIR involves sealing or covering the material,
keeping the asbestos in place. Sealing (encapsulation) means 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. Covering (enclosure) means
placing something over or around the asbestos material to prevent release
of fibers. Exposed insulated piping may be covered with a protective wrap
or jacket.
- REMOVAL is the most expensive method and should be the
last option. It may be required when making major changes to your home that
will disturb asbestos material, or if asbestos material is severely damaged
and cannot be repaired. Names of asbestos removal contractors may be
obtained from the
Turning Trash into Treasure guide, or from Michigan Department of
Consumer and Industry Services at (517) 373-1820.
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For More
Information:
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page updated 2/20/07