Am I in Danger from Asbestos in My Home?
A Health Care Article Contributed by Vctoria R. Elder
Am I in Danger from Asbestos in My Home?
It is possible that asbestos based products may have been used in the construction of your home, but this is unlikely unless you live in an older home. If your home was built before 1970, you may want to check further into the building products used.
What Products Contain Asbestos?
Asbestos was used in hundreds of different products, mainly related to building construction. Asbestos was a common ingredient in roofing materials, ceiling tiles, pipe wrap,insulation, soundproofing tiles, floor tiles and shingles. There are too many brand names to list. Asbestos was used in these products before any hazard was known, because it has excellent fire resistant properties, and is very strong and flexible.
What Exactly is Asbestos?
Really there is no element named "asbestos". That is the common name used interchangeably for any one of a group of six silicate-based minerals, all found as masses of strong fibers. Asbestos has been mined since the 1800s and used in thousands of applications, from building products to brake linings for cars. One Environmental Protection Agency study states that it was present in over 3600 different building supply materials.
What Problems or Diseases Can Asbestos Cause?
The common diseases associated with asbestos exposure are mesothelioma, asbestosis, and to a lesser extent, lung cancer. However, all of these diseases require continued long-term exposure to asbestos to develop. Most cases do not exhibit symptoms until 10 to 30 years later. These diseases are all related to inhalation of airborne microscopic asbestos particles. All of these diseases are much more common in people who worked around asbestos for a prolonged period of time. It is less likely that they would appear in a residential setting, but it is possible.
What Can I Do If I Suspect There's Asbestos in My Home?
The first thing you can do is have your home tested by a professional if you suspect you have a problem. Check your local phone book for testing laboratories or call your local health department for information on who can do this test. You can also buy home test kits, where you remove a small portion of the suspect material and mail it to a lab for the procedure. This is generally not recommended, as you may release particles into the air while obtaining the sample.
Another thing to remember is, if you have the test done and it does show asbestos is present in your home, this is not automatically a hazard. Asbestos -containing products in good repair do not release the particles. These products can be removed or sealed by a professional, to ensure they do not cause a problem. The only immediate danger from products containing asbestos is if they are crumbling or deteriorating.
Never saw, cut or sand any product you suspect may contain asbestos, as this will release dangerous microparticles into the air. If you believe you may have a problem and aren't sure who to contact, you can check with the EPA and ask for recommendations on where to start.
