Was your home built before 1980? Then you could be exposed to toxic asbestos fibers, especially in the form of your pipe insulation. Asbestos is not harmful if contained, but if it is shaken loose into the air, it can pose a dangerous threat to your health, as it is proven to cause illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis and increase your risk of lung cancer. This is normally only a concern if you are remodeling or if the material is damaged. Regardless, you might want to consider testing for asbestos to ensure the safety of your home.
The usual suspects are your pipes, but can also include ductwork insulation, walls and ceilings, roofing and siding, artificial logs, floor tiles, linoleum, insulation, and wire coating. First check the label and the manufacturing date. If it was made before 1980 and is not labeled as asbestos-free, it’s guilty until proven innocent. Remember, pipes are priority one. As the asbestos in them deteriorates it will blow into living areas. Artificial logs can also be dangerous. Check for and immediately dispose of any ashes. Otherwise, asbestos is not a threat unless disturbed or damaged.
Unfortunately, sampling for analysis puts you in greater risk of being exposed. The best option is to hire a professional. Incorrect sampling is much more dangerous than leaving the material alone. If you do decide to undergo testing on your own, use extreme caution. Take steps to ensure that asbestos does not get on anything or become airborne.
First – Prepare: Cover the floor with a plastic sheet and cover your hands with disposable gloves. Turn off all heating and cooling in your house to minimize air movement. Wet the material with water mixed with detergent before cutting to keep dust particles from floating.
Second – Cut: If the material can be easily crushed to power, take one teaspoon. If not, take one square inch. If sampling insulation, take one tablespoon. If it is a larger surface area for example, acoustic ceiling take three samples. Be as concise as possible with your cutting.
Third – Contain: Keep the sample in a sealed and labeled container. Then clean the area with a wet paper towel and cover the violated area. Dispose of plastic sheet and rubber gloves as specified by state law.
Fourth – Analyze: Send the samples to a testing laboratory. Analysis requires a trained eye and a specialized microscope. Many laboratories accept mail-ins. Include with your samples documentation of the location and material of each sample. Cost for analysis is generally in the $20-$30 ballpark. While asbestos was banned for use as pipe insulation in the U.S. by the end of the 70’s, if you reside in an older home, it could still be present. Keep in mind, asbestos cannot be detected by the untrained eye.
Why worry about asbestos? If asbestos was used as pipe insulation in your home and was installed properly, it should not be a problem. The problem arises when the asbestos is disturbed for some reason. This can release asbestos particles into the air, which when inhaled, pose a health hazard. Asbestos has been linked to many illnesses including lung cancer. By becoming knowledgeable about how asbestos could be a problem in your home, you can reduce or eliminate your health risk.
Insulated pipes are generally installed where they are exposed to cold weather. However, they also are used to conserve heat and prevent air leakage. This means they can be found anywhere from the basement to the attic to exterior walls. Asbestos also can be found in use around appliances such as heaters, furnaces and water heaters. Ductwork, whether exposed or not can also contain asbestos. If you live in an older home, there is a strong possibility you have some asbestos in one or more of these applications.
Pipe insulation can be damaged in any number of ways. Pipes installed too close together can vibrate causing the insulation to wear. Improper repairs could also be the culprit. If you are remodeling and need to reroute pipes you could also put yourself at risk of exposure. Improper removal of appliances that could be insulated with asbestos is yet another culprit to spread air-borne particles.
If you suspect that you have asbestos insulation in or around your home, the best course of action would be to call a professional home inspector who is trained to spot asbestos. If the inspector determines that asbestos is present and in good repair, it may be left in place. But if the asbestos is in need of removal, the inspector can recommend a professional trained in asbestos removal. They have the knowledge and tools to remove or repair the asbestos products safely, preventing any exposure to you or your family. If you plan to do some remodeling or need to repair or replace appliances in a home built prior to 1980, it would be best to use a professional who is knowledgeable about asbestos dangers and its removal. Do not put yourself and family at risk, use a professional.
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