Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibres, include:. 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 fibres.
There is no danger unless fibres 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 fibres. 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. 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 fibres 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 fibres 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:. 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.
Sealing encapsulation involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibres together or coats the material so fibres 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 fibres. 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 a professional since there is always a risk of exposure to fibres 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 a 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 fibre 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 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. Before hiring a professional, ask for references form 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. Do-it-yourselfers who installed their own insulation and flooring before the s faced a high risk of dangerous asbestos exposure.
Consumers of makeup are at risk of exposure to asbestos through contaminated talc products. Asbestos was used for its ability to strengthen and fireproof materials, including concrete, bricks, fireplace cement, pipes and insulation.
Although the use of asbestos has been largely phased out since the s, it can still be found in products such as gaskets and brake pads. Until the s, people mainly used asbestos to make fireproof cloth in small amounts. Then, during the Industrial Revolution, great demand arose for a material that could insulate steam engines. At the same time, the technology was developed to easily mine asbestos and combine it with other materials. During the 20th century, demand for asbestos products was propelled further by the shipbuilding efforts of World War II and the postwar building boom.
Many veterans were exposed to asbestos during both their military service and their civilian careers. By the s, lawsuits were holding asbestos manufacturers liable for the diseases their products caused. Workers who developed mesothelioma , lung cancer and asbestosis were suing for compensation to cover medical costs and lost wages.
Unfortunately, doctors are still searching for a cure for every type of asbestos-related disease. Asbestos has unique chemical and physical properties that make it strong and resistant to heat and chemical reaction.
Its chemical composition makes it less likely to react with other compounds, and the space between its fibers reduces conduction of heat, making it resistant to fire.
Currently, several asbestos products are banned in the U. Food and Drug Administration and the U. The EPA is reviewing legacy uses of asbestos to assess current risk to workers and the general public. It conducted a review of current asbestos uses and issued a final rule in prohibiting new asbestos products from entering the market without a review. This applies to once-common products such as asbestos plastic, asbestos cement and vinyl asbestos tile. The agency attempted to issue a ban on all asbestos products in , but the U.
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned the ban in under pressure from industry lobbyists. The EPA was able to ban six asbestos products at the time, and the ruling did not reverse previously banned asbestos materials. Because of this, certain asbestos-containing products, such as gaskets and brake pads, are still sold in America. Though asbestos remains legal in the U. Asbestos in homes is commonly present in the following products:.
Examples of materials that contain asbestos in schools include:. Unfortunately, some asbestos-containing materials, such as brake pads and gaskets, are still being sold in the United States. Common sources of asbestos in home goods include:. Examples of talc products containing asbestos in makeup and toys are:. Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to speak with a Patient Advocate? However, as required by the new California Consumer Privacy Act CCPA , you may record your preference to view or remove your personal information by completing the form below.
The information on this website is proprietary and protected. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying or dissemination will be prosecuted. Please read our privacy policy and disclaimer for more information about our website. This website and its content may be deemed attorney advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome. For more information, visit our sponsors page.
Some friable products were also used in houses and may still be found in houses built before In Australia, asbestos cement materials were first manufactured in the s and were commonly used in the manufacture of residential building materials from the mids until the late s. During the s asbestos cement materials were phased out in favour of asbestos-free products. From 31 December , the total ban on manufacture, use, reuse, import, transport, storage or sale of all forms of asbestos came into force.
Many houses built before therefore contain asbestos cement materials, especially in the eaves, internal and external wall cladding, ceilings particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries and fences. As a General Rule
0コメント