Is there asbestos-containing material in your home or workplace

This fact sheet provides information to people who are trying to determine whether there is asbestos-containing material in their home or workplace, and what they might do if there is. It reviews health concerns about asbestos exposures, plus options and resources to address these concerns.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber . It is mined just like any other mineral. The fibers are heat resistant, resistant to chemical attack, have excellent tensile strength and have high electrical resistance. These properties make asbestos a useful material for electrical and thermal insulation. It was often added to building materials for this reason. There are several types of asbestos; the most common are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite.

Asbestos and Indoor Air

The main source of asbestos in indoor air is insulation products. Buildings built in the last 50 years used a variety of materials composed of asbestos mixed with other fibers like paper, fiberglass, or synthetic fibers and a binder, usually lime or gypsum mortar. The most commonly reported material in California homes is the cottage-cheese ceiling insulation. Other common materials include vinyl floor tiles, patching compounds and textured paints, furnace, stove and pipe insulation, stove door gaskets, some roofing shingles and siding material, and parts of some pre-1979 appliances (e.g. toasters, clothes dryers, hair dryers).

ASBESTOS & HEALTH

How dangerous is asbestos to my health?

You will not be harmed by touching it or being near asbestos-containing materials. Your health may be affected by inhaling asbestos fibers, where the fibers may become lodged in the microscopic tubules of your lower lung. Symptoms of lung problems do not usually appear until 20-30 years of exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers. Most people do not develop health problems when exposed to small amounts of asbestos. However, the risk of lung disease from asbestos exposure is greater among smokers Many studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly hazardous. A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine (May 28, 1998) reports that, "exposure to moderate levels of asbestos does not appear to significantly increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer." However, this is an area of continued debate among scientists.

WHAT CAN I DO?

How can I find out if I have asbestos in my home?

It is not possible to identify asbestos just by looking at it. It can only be identified by a person trained in fiber identification with a special polarized light microscope. There are certified labs throughout California that can identify asbestos in building materials (see attached list). Contact a lab to find out how the sample should be collected and sent for testing. It's not an expensive test and should cost about $35 per sample.

What should I do if there is asbestos in my home?

If you have an asbestos-containing material in your home, your choices are to remove it, contain it, or live with it.

The best thing to do, if the asbestos-containing material is in good condition, is to leave it alone. The only way that it can affect your health is when the material is damaged and fibers become airborne. If it is moderately damaged, it is recommended that you manage it in place (repair the damage and contain it, possibly with a coat of paint or sealer). Removing and disposing of any asbestos-containing material is expensive and also increases the likelihood of fiber release.

If you feel that you cannot live with it, then you need to hire a certified professional for its safe removal and for testing the air after its removal. You can get help with these matters by calling the CalOSHA Asbestos Consultants Unit or U.S. EPA Asbestos Ombudsman (see Hotline phone list). They can guide you through the process. You should also contact your local health or air quality department to find out local regulations.

Who handles asbestos issues in California?

In California, asbestos wastes are regulated by local, state and federal agencies. Information on regulations, certification, and health and safety is available from the following State agencies:

• Department of Toxic Substances Control is responsible for disposal and transport issues (916-255-3618) .
• Department of Consumer Affairs' Contractors State License Board gives information on the certification requirements for asbestos abatement contractors (800-321-2752).
• Cal-OSHA (Department of Industrial Relations) handles worker-safety and asbestos exposure issues (415-972-8589). Or call your local air pollution control/air quality management district.

ASBESTOS AND THE WORKPLACE

Health hazards from asbestos dust have been recognized in workers exposed in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, brake repair, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, and firefighters also may be exposed to asbestos dust. Generally, workers who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness until many years after first exposure. For example, the time between first exposure to asbestos and the appearance of lung caner is generally 15 years or more; a delay of 30 to 35 years is not unusual.

Individuals who know or suspect they have been chronically exposed to asbestos dust on the job or at home should inform their physician of their exposure history. A physical examination is recommended if any of the following symptoms develop:

• shortness of breath;
• a change in cough pattern;
• pain in the chest or abdomen;
• difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness;
• blood in the sputum (fluid coughed up from the lungs);
• significant weight loss.
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Free Software for Building Professionals

The Asbestos Advisor is an interactive compliance assistance tool that provides guidance to building owners, managers and lessees, as well as contractors of building renovations, maintenance, and housekeeping services on how asbestos standards may apply to those buildings and that work. It is available OSHA web page, spider.osha.gov/oshasoft/asbestos/ . Select Asbestos Advisor for your operating system. When the software is run, the user is asked a series of questions regarding the buildings and employees in question. A final report is created which describes all OSHA-related responses.

Useful Phone Numbers

• U.S. EPA Asbestos Ombudsman 800-368-5888
• Cal/OSHA Asbestos Consultants Unit 916-574-2993
• Asbestos Information Association 703-412-1150
• NCI's Cancer Information Service 800-422-6237
• CDHS' IAQ Assistance Line 510-540-2476
• CDHS' Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS) 510-540-2115

OTHER RESOURCES

• Where Can I Find Asbestos And When Can It Be A Problem?
• How To Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos
• What Should Be Done About Asbestos In The Home?
• Asbestos Exposure: Questions and Answers
• What is Mesothelioma?
• Mesothelioma: Facts and Resources - symptoms, treatment, etc.
• Asbestos: When Should I Worry? British Columbia Health Link BC
• Looking for a Mesothelioma lawyer?

   

Literature

• Asbestos Revisited by Alleman & Mossman, Scientific American , p 70-75, July 1997.
• Asbestos in Your Home , from the American Lung Association (contact your local office).
• Asbestos in the Home , from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772 .

The following EPA documents can be obtained from their IAQ INFOLINE. at 800-438-4318 (refer to EPA document No.):

• Managing Asbestos in Place, A Building Owner's Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing Materials, (20T-2003).
• Asbestos in Buildings: Simplified Sampling Scheme for Friable Surfacing Materials, (560/5-85-030a).
• Asbestos Waste Management Guidance , (530-SW-85-007).
• Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings , (560/5-85-024).
• Measuring Airborne Asbestos following an Abatement Action (600/4-85-049).

Useful Web Sites

• EPA's Region 5 Asbestos Program: www.epa.gov/reg5foia/asbestos/index.html
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet http://198.77.70.12/3_21.htm
• NIOSH Selected Topics: Asbestos www.cdc.gov/niosh/asbestos.html
• The Asbestos Institute: www.asbestos-institute.ca/index.html
• Commonly Asked Questions: www.oklaosf.state.ok.us/~okdol/asbestos/index.htm
• Asbestos Fact Sheet: www.inform.umd.edu/des/os/asbestos/factsheet.html
• Asbestos Information & Articles www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/asbestos.htm

Up-to-Date Lists of Accredited Laboratories for Asbestos Testing:

• Air Testing (Light Microscopy Method) www.aiha.org/labstate.html

Laboratories in California Accredited for Analysis of Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials

(Polarized Light Microscopy Test Method)

The following laboratories are currently accredited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Asbestos Program. Source: U.S. Department of Commerce (refer to web site on previous page).

This list was last updated May 4, 1998 and may now be dated. For a current national list, click here! Based on the California Department of Health Services Info Sheet

Asbestos in the Home,; What you can do to remove it

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. If you do need to be around friable asbestos, be sure to wear the correct type of respirator (see at right, available to purchase here)

Click the box at right for current pricing - Professional Respirator, For Paint, Pesticide & Asbestos, Protects Against Organic Vapors & Sprays Associated With Paint & Pesticide Spraying, Dusts (Such As Lead), Mists, Fumes (Such As Lead Fumes, As Well As Those Produced From Welding) & Asbestos-Containing Dusts & Mists, Special Design Allows HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter Cartridge Respirator To Be A Lightweight & Compact Unit, 99.97% Efficient Against A Particle Size Of 0.3 Microns, Medium Size Half .

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.
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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.

If a renovation project requires fairly extensive work, it may be wise to call in a contractor. In this case, check into his experience in handling asbestos-containing materials, and discuss the preventive measures he plans to take.

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.

Why You Should Not Disturb Asbestos Unnecessarily

Asbestos fibers can have serious effects on your health if inhaled. There is no known safe exposure to asbestos. The greater the exposure, the greater the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

The amount of time between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of disease can be as much as 30 years. It is known that smokers exposed to asbestos have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer than just from smoking alone.

Asbestos can cause asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs that leads to breathing problems and heart failure. Workers who manufacture or use asbestos products and have high exposures to asbestos are often affected with asbestosis.

Inhalation of asbestos can also cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen lining. It may be linked to cancer of the stomach, intestines, and rectum, as well.

Updated 11/4/2021