Asbestos
Asbestos in Your Home
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:
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
sawed, dilled, 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
facing, 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). 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. 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.
Repairs
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.