Asbestos
|
|
|
|
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?
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:
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
DOOR GASKETS in
furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release
asbestos fibers during use.
|
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.
|
PATCHING AND JOINT
COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding,
scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
|
ASBESTOS CEMENT
ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to
release asbestos fibers unless they are sawed, drilled, or cut.
|
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.
|
AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS
AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.
|
| | | | | | | |
Where Asbestos
Hazards May Be Found In The Home
|
Some roofing and
siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
|
Houses built between
1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
|
Asbestos may be
present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and
ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
|
Artificial ashes and
embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
|
Older products such as
stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
|
Walls and floors
around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper,
millboard, or cement sheets.
|
Asbestos is found in
some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and
adhesives.
|
Hot water and steam
pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or
covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
|
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.
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:
|
Make sure no one else is in the
room when sampling is done.
|
Wear disposable gloves or wash
hands after sampling.
|
Shut down any heating or cooling
systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
|
Do not disturb the material any
more than is needed to take a small sample.
|
Place a plastic sheet on the
floor below the area to be sampled.
|
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.
|
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).
|
Tightly seal the container after
the sample is in it.
|
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.
|
Label the container with an
identification number and clearly state when and where the sample
was taken.
|
Patch the sampled area with the
smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.
|
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.
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
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
|
Do keep activities to
a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain
asbestos.
|
Do take every
precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material.
|
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.
|
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 floor covering over it, if possible.
|
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.
|
| | | | | | |
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
|
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.
|
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
|
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.
|
Insist that the
contractor use the proper equipment to do the job. The workers
must wear approved respirators, gloves, and other protective
clothing.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
| | | | | | |
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
|
Indoor Air Pollution
Fact Sheet - Asbestos
|
Air Pollution In Your
Home?
|
Other publications on
indoor pollution
|
| |
For more information
on asbestos in other consumer products, call the CPSC Hotline or write
to the US 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.
Disclaimer
This document may be
reproduced without change, in whole or in part, without permission,
except for use as advertising material or product endorsement. Any such
reproduction should credit the American Lung Association, the US
Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the US Environmental Protection
Agency. The use of all or any part of this document in a deceptive or
inaccurate manner or for purposes of endorsing a particular product may
be subject to appropriate legal action.
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 US 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last updated on Wednesday, April 25th, 2007
URL: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html
|
|
