Asbestos is a generic term for a group of minerals that can be separated into tiny fibers. Because certain kinds – among them chrysotile (white), crocidolite (blue), and amosite (brown) – are durable, resist heat, and possess fire-retardant properties, they were once widely used for insulation and fireproofing.
Medical experts say that when inhaled, asbestos fibers may become lodged in the lungs and lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma (tumors in the lining of the lung or abdominal cavity), and asbestosis (painful scarring of the lungs). Doctors estimate that the time between exposure and onset of disease is 10 to 15 years for lung cancer and as long as 20 to 45 years for mesothelioma and asbestosis. Severity of the illness depends on the duration of exposure and the amount of asbestos inhaled.
Exposed workers who smoke are more likely to die of lung cancer than exposed non-smokers. Also, workers’ families are at risk because fibers can be carried home on clothing and hair.
Asbestos in homes built or remodeled before 1980 presents some degree of risk. If the material deteriorates or is damaged, fibers may be released into the air. So do not disturb undamaged asbestos, avoid any construction that might release fibers, and check the area periodically.
If your home falls under the pre-1980 category, there is a good chance that it contains asbestos in some form. Check the following places and items:
– Insulation for heating systems and pipes. Look for a plasterlike coating on your boiler or furnace and chalky, corrugated material around your pipes and air ducts.
– Patching compounds and textured paints on walls and ceilings.
– Wall and ceiling insulation. Installed behind plaster walls, this usually poses no risk unless a wall is cut or torn down during remodeling or demolition.
– Vinyl sheet flooring and tiles. If your flooring was installed before the mid-80s, and is now well worn, it is best removed professionally or simply covered over. Vinyl sheets may have asbestos backing paper and, while safe in place, removal can cause high levels of asbestos dust. Vinyl floor tiles and their underlying adhesive may also contain asbestos.
– Roofing, shingles, and siding. The asbestos fibers in these items are very stable.
– Electrical-wire insulation and fire blankets.
– The walls and floors around wood-burning stoves.
If you suspect that you have found asbestos, do not touch it. If it has begun to deteriorate or flake or frequently gets wet, have it examined by an asbestos inspector. If containment or removal is necessary, hire an asbestos contractor. Choose only contractors who can prove they are trained and experienced in asbestos removal. Usually it is easier and less expensive to contain the asbestos by enclosure (covering it with drywall, vinyl, plywood, or special pipe covers) or encapsulation (application of a protective sealant) than to remove it altogether.
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