Asbestos: Are You At Risk?

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals made of thin, fibrous crystals. There are six main types that fit into two main categories: serpentine and amphibole.

Serpentine asbestos contains one type: chrysotile. This is also known as “white asbestos,” and was the most commonly used.

Amphibole asbestos contains five other types:

• Amosite
• Crocidolite
• Tremolite
• Anthophyllite
• Actinolite

Each has its unique qualities and attributes. For instance, crocidolite, or “blue asbestos” has an extremely high resistance to heat and chemicals, making it ideal for insulation and cement products.

Amosite, or “brown asbestos,” is common in cement sheets and pipe insulation. Tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite were not frequently in building materials. However, they are contaminants often found in other asbestos products.

What Is Asbestos Used For?

While it was discovered thousands of years ago, its widespread use as a building material did not begin until the mid to late 19th century. It was an attractive option due to its strength, insulating properties, and heat resistance.

Common applications of asbestos included roofing materials and insulation. It is especially prevalent in products made of vermiculite. It also can be found in some types of floor tiles and paper products.

Asbestos has been used to make various automotive parts that need to resist heat, such as clutches, brakes, and transmission parts. It has been a prominent component in heat-resistant fabrics, like ironing board covers. It can also be found in different types of packaging, gaskets, and coatings.

Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?

There are serious asbestos health risks. Fibers can be released into the air when materials that contain them are disturbed.

This often includes building repairs or maintenance, as well as remodeling projects. This makes demolition work of asbestos building supplies particularly hazardous.

Asbestos is carcinogenic. It harms the lungs when its fibers are inhaled. Doing so can lead to various health conditions, but the three main ones are:

• Lung cancers
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis

All of these are chronic lung diseases. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the thin lining of the lung, chest, abdomen, or heart. Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long-term disease that causes scarring of the lungs and difficulty breathing.

Is It Illegal to Use Asbestos?

Some suspicions about the potential dangers of asbestos were recorded as early as 1898, when doctors and public health officials noticed an increase in dangerous lung conditions in asbestos mining towns, though the direct link was not well known. As early as the 1960s, physicians linked asbestos inhalation to certain diseases.

Due in part to these concerns, asbestos use in most industries began to wane in the 1970s. Some limitations were placed on its use in 1976, and a partial ban was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1989. However, that was overturned by a federal Court of Appeals.

Although asbestos mining in the United States has not occurred since 2002, many people are surprised to learn that all uses of the material were not banned in the United States until this year. In March 2024, the EPA finalized the risk management rule for the only form of asbestos that was still being imported, processed, and distributed in the U.S.

Are You At Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

There are several things to consider when trying to assess if you are at risk of asbestos exposure. First, asbestos can be present in many older buildings, especially those erected before the 1980s. If your home or office was built before then, a thorough inspection is warranted.

Another important thing to do is to stay informed. Know what building materials are used in every part of your home and even personal belongings. Regulations change all the time, and staying up-to-speed on what is and is not permissible can help you make more informed decisions as a consumer.

Finally, the easiest and most comprehensive way to ensure the integrity of your home is to consult professionals. Certified inspectors can evaluate your entire home and recommend protective measures for asbestos. It will give you the peace of mind that no stone is left unturned and that quick, decisive action is being taken.

How to Test for Asbestos?

Testing for asbestos in homes involves several steps. Note that some of these could disturb asbestos materials, meaning the testing process itself can be dangerous. For this reason, it should only be carried out by a trained professional from a licensed environmental testing company, who will know exactly how to test for asbestos.

First, samples from the material that may contain asbestos are retrieved. These are sealed to prevent any fibrous material from releasing into the air.

Samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Here, technicians use methods like polarized light microscopy to identify the presence of any asbestos fibers. The results are recorded and reported.

Learn More About Asbestos Risks

Asbestos is a serious threat that must not be overlooked. Hiring professionals to evaluate your home is the best thing you can do to mitigate any dangerous materials. Reputable inspectors will know how to test for asbestos and what actions to take in response.

AAA Lead Professionals is one of the most trusted environmental services companies serving parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, as well as the entire state of New Jersey. We are committed to integrity and professionalism, and working to find the best cleanup solutions for each of our customers. Request a quote today.