Asbestos in the Home

Asbestos is not only found in consumer products or at construction sites but it is also found in people’s homes. Asbestos is defined as a mineral fiber that is in the air or dust particles of a building. The only way asbestos can be identified is with a certain type of microscope. Asbestos used to be used to provide heat insulation, fire resistance, and to strengthen products. Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestosis is when the lung becomes scarred with fibrous tissue and is a direct result of exposure to asbestos. If you feel that asbestos is in your home and you have it inspected, do not touch anything until the results of the test are released. If the asbestos is in good condition do not do anything to the asbestos. Asbestos in good condition does not release any fibers that are harmful to people in the home. Asbestos in the home can be found in a variety of places including roofing, shingles, insulation (for houses built within 1930 and 1950), textured paint (used prior to 1977), artificial ashes and embers, stove-top pads, walls and floors around wood burning stoves, vinyl floor tiles, hot water pipes, steam pipes, oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets.

Once you know that there is asbestos is in your home, check the materials it is in to make sure that no fibers are being released. Never touch the materials. Instead, check the materials for water damage, tears, or abrasions. If you are planning on remodeling your home and it has asbestos, make sure a professional removes the materials infected with asbestos before the remodeling begins. Homeowners should follow the following tips when dealing with asbestos in the home:

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 floor covering 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.

If anyone in the household handles asbestos or asbestos infected materials, anything that touches the asbestos infected materials should be thrown out immediately. This includes gloves, towels, napkins, shirts, pants, etc. If you suspect for just a second that asbestos is in your home, contact an asbestos inspector and schedule an appointment for an inspection immediately.