Is There Asbestos In My Home or Building?
Many people don't know that it wasn't until 1989 that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule in an effort to effectively ban most Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). Prior to the ban, asbestos was among the most common construction materials both in residential and commercial buildings.
According to Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSHA), materials assumed to contain asbestos if installed prior to 1981 include (not limited to this list only, these are just common):
Insulation- Roofing & Siding Shingles
- Vinyl & Tile Flooring
- Plaster
- Cement
- Putties & Caulk
- Ceiling Tiles & Spray On Coating (Popcorn)
- Industrial Pipe Wrap
- Heat Resistant Textiles
Although it's now illegal to use or manufacture materials that contain asbestos, there are many homes and buildings that were constructed prior to or soon after the original ban. There is a chance in these older homes/buildings that ACM may have been used in the construction of these places.
According to OSHA, once the fibers from the asbestos get released into the air, then they become dangerous. If the fibers are airborne, and breathed in, they get into the lungs, and then these fibers get trapped in the human body. There is also the possibility of the fibers being lodged in the digestive tract if they are swallowed.
Asbestos is known to be one of the causes of chronic lung disease, lung cancer, as well as other cancers. Unfortunately, cancer caused by asbestos can take years to develop and present itself. It could be years after initial exposure that any medical issues are found.
The best, and safest way to ensure that your home or building does not have asbestos is to have it surveyed. You can visit our Asbestos Survey page for more information.
