| • |
mesothelioma,
a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity; |
| • |
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 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 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 EPA-approved laboratory for analysis. The
National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has a
list of these laboratories. You can get this list from the
Laboratory Accreditation Administration, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
20899 (telephone 301-975-4016). 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 floorcovering
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.
Text by the American Lung Association,(The
Christmas Seal People), The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
and The Environmental Protection Agency
Copyright the American Lung
Association,(The Christmas Seal People), The
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and The
Environmental Protection Agency © 2003
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