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Asbestos hazards can be found in many areas of the home. A report prepared by the U.S. Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association lists where hazards may be found:
- 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 wood-burning 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 found 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.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
The presence of asbestos in a home, if in good condition, is not a health hazard. The danger is that asbestos materials may become damaged over time. Damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a serious health hazard. Breathing high levels of these fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma — a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity — and 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.
Dealing with Asbestos in the Home
According to the EPA, the best thing to do with asbestos in the home that is in good condition is to leave it alone. Disturbing it may create a hazard where none existed before. It suggests homeowners check material regularly if they suspect it may contain asbestos. Look for signs of wear or damage. Sometimes, the best way to deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to it.
If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if changes are going to be made in the home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is needed. For more information on asbestos identification and control activities, contact the Asbestos Coordinator in the EPA Regional Office for your region, or your state or local health department.