more resources...
- Open Houses
- Communities
- Market Activity
- Charitable Giving
- NH Lakes
- Real Estate News
- New Hampshire Parks
- Real Estate Dictionary
- Golf Courses
- Home Inspection
- NH Seacoast
- Careers
- Home Buyer Tips
- Recent Articles
- Portsmouth NH
- Marketing
- NH Events
- NH Outdoors
- Lake Winnipesaukee
- Sell My House
- Manchester NH
- Resources (home)
- Ski VT and Ski Areas VT
- Ski NH and Ski Areas NH
- Bean Group Realtors
Home Inspection | Asbestos in Your Home
help you understand asbestos: what it is, its health effects, where it
is in your home, and what to do about it. Hard copies are available from
the TSCA Hotline and the Asbestos Ombudsman.
What Is
Asbestos?
How Can Asbestos Affect My Health?
Where Can I Find Asbestos And When Can
It Be A Problem?
What Should Be Done About Asbestos In The
Home?
Asbestos Professionals: Who Are They And
What Can They Do?
For More Information
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral
fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope.
There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was
added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat
insulation and fire resistance.
How Can Asbestos Affect
My Health?
From studies of people
who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that
breathing high levels of asbestos 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.
Most people exposed to
small amounts of asbestos, as we all are in our daily lives, do not develop
these health problems. However, if disturbed, asbestos material may release
asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain
there for a long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material
that would crumble easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped,
or sanded into a powder, is more likely to create a health hazard.
Where Can I Find Asbestos
And When Can It Be A Problem?
Most products made today
do not contain asbestos. Those few products made which still contain asbestos
that could be inhaled are required to be labeled as such. However, until
the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used
in homes contained asbestos. Common products that might have contained
asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibers, include:
-
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and
FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper
tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired,
or removed improperly.
-
RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl
asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING,
and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release
fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during
removal.
-
CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD,
and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and woodburning stoves.
Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may
cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing insulation.
-
DOOR GASKETS in furnaces,
wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers
during use.
-
SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE
MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged
material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling, or scraping
the material.
-
PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS
for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or
drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
-
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING,
SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos
fibers unless sawed, dilled, or cut.
-
ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS
sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household
products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS,
and certain HAIRDRYERS.
-
AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND
LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.
Where Asbestos Hazards May
Be Found In The Home
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
woodburning 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
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.
What Should Be Done
About Asbestos In The Home?
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.
| How To Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos You can't tell
|
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
|
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.
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.
Asbestos Professionals:
Who Are They And What Can They Do?
Asbestos professionals
are trained in handling asbestos material. The type of professional will
depend on the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the
problem. You may hire a general asbestos contractor or, in some cases,
a professional trained to handle specific products containing asbestos.
Asbestos professionals
can conduct home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess
its condition, and advise about what corrections are needed and who is
qualified to make these corrections. Once again, material in good condition
need not be sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. Professional
correction or abatement contractors repair or remove asbestos materials.
Some firms offer combinations
of testing, assessment, and correction. A professional hired to assess
the need for corrective action should not be connected with an asbestos-correction
firm. It is better to use two different firms so there is no conflict
of interest. Services vary from one area to another around the country.
The federal government
has training courses for asbestos professionals around the country. Some
state and local governments also have or require training or certification
courses. Ask asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal
or state-approved training. Each person performing work in your home should
provide proof of training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion
of EPA-approved training. State and local health departments or EPA regional
offices may have listings of licensed professionals in your area.
If you have a problem
that requires the services of asbestos professionals, check their credentials
carefully. Hire professionals who are trained, experienced, reputable,
and accredited - especially if accreditation is required by state or local
laws. Before hiring a professional, ask for references from previous clients.
Find out if they were satisfied. Ask whether the professional has handled
similar situations. Get cost estimates from several professionals, as
the charges for these services can vary.
Though private homes
are usually not covered by the asbestos regulations that apply to schools
and public buildings, professionals should still use procedures described
during federal or state-approved training. Homeowners should be alert
to the chance of misleading claims by asbestos consultants and contractors.
There have been reports of firms incorrectly claiming that asbestos materials
in homes must be replaced. In other cases, firms have encouraged unnecessary
removals or performed them improperly. Unnecessary removals are a waste
of money. Improper removals may actually increase the health risks to
you and your family. To guard against this, know what services are available
and what procedures and precautions are needed to do the job properly.
In addition to general
asbestos contractors, you may select a roofing, flooring, or plumbing
contractor trained to handle asbestos when it is necessary to remove and
replace roofing, flooring, siding, or asbestos-cement pipe that is part
of a water system. Normally, roofing and flooring contractors are exempt
from state and local licensing requirements because they do not perform
any other asbestos-correction work. Call 1-800-USA-ROOF for names of qualified
roofing contractors in your area. (Illinois residents call 708-318-6722.)
For information on asbestos in floors, read "Recommended Work Procedures
for Resilient Floor Covers." You can write for a copy from the Resilient
Floor Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12-B, Rockville,
MD 20850. Enclose a stamped, business-size, self-addressed envelope.
Asbestos-containing automobile
brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets should be repaired
and replaced only by a professional using special protective equipment.
Many of these products are now available without asbestos. For more information,
read "Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics,"
available from regional EPA offices.
If You Hire A Professional
Asbestos Inspector
Make sure that the inspection
will include a complete visual examination and the careful collection
and lab analysis of samples. If asbestos is present, the inspector
should provide a written evaluation describing its location and
extent of damage, and give recommendations for correction or prevention.
Make sure an inspecting
firm makes frequent site visits if it is hired to assure that a
contractor follows proper procedures and requirements. The inspector
may recommend and perform checks after the correction to assure
the area has been properly cleaned.
If You Hire A Corrective-Action Contractor
Check with your local
air pollution control board, the local agency responsible for worker
safety, and the Better Business Bureau. Ask if the firm has had
any safety violations. Find out if there are legal actions filed
against it.
Insist that the contractor
use the proper equipment to do the job. The workers must wear approved
respirators, gloves, and other protective clothing.
Before work begins, get
a written contract specifying the work plan, cleanup, and the applicable
federal, state, and local regulations which the contractor must
follow (such as notification requirements and asbestos disposal
procedures). Contact your state and local health departments, EPA's
regional office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's
regional office to find out what the regulations are. Be sure the
contractor follows local asbestos removal and disposal laws. At
the end of the job, get written assurance from the contractor that
all procedures have been followed.
Assure that the contractor
avoids spreading or tracking asbestos dust into other areas of your
home. They should seal the work area from the rest of the house
using plastic sheeting and duct tape, and also turn off the heating
and air conditioning system. For some repairs, such as pipe insulation
removal, plastic glove bags may be adequate. They must be sealed
with tape and properly disposed of when the job is complete.
Make sure the work site
is clearly marked as a hazard area. Do not allow household members
and pets into the area until work is completed.
Insist that the contractor
apply a wetting agent to the asbestos material with a hand sprayer
that creates a fine mist before removal. Wet fibers do not float
in the air as easily as dry fibers and will be easier to clean up.
Make sure the contractor
does not break removed material into small pieces. This could release
asbestos fibers into the air. Pipe insulation was usually installed
in preformed blocks and should be removed in complete pieces.
Upon completion, assure
that the contractor cleans the area well with wet mops, wet rags,
sponges, or HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaners.
A regular vacuum cleaner must never be used. Wetting helps reduce
the chance of spreading asbestos fibers in the air. All asbestos
materials and disposable equipment and clothing used in the job
must be placed in sealed, leakproof, and labeled plastic bags. The
work site should be visually free of dust and debris. Air monitoring
(to make sure there is no increase of asbestos fibers in the air)
may be necessary to assure that the contractor's job is done properly.
This should be done by someone not connected with the contractor.
| Caution! Do not dust, sweep, |
For more information
Contact your local American
Lung Association 
for
copies of:
-
Indoor Air Pollution Fact
Sheet - Asbestos
-
Air Pollution In Your Home?
-
Other publications on indoor
pollution
For more information
on asbestos in other consumer products, call the CPSC Hotline or write
to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.
The CPSC Hotline has information on certain appliances and products, such
as the brands and models of hair dryers that contain asbestos. Call CPSC
at 1-800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter (TTY) for the hearing impaired is
available at 1-800-638-8270. The Maryland TTY number is 1-800-492-8104.
To find out whether your
state has a training and certification program for asbestos removal contractors,
and for information on EPA's asbestos programs, call the EPA at 202-554-1404.
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.
Disclaimer
This document may be
reproduced without change, in whole or in part, without permission, except
for use as advertising material or product endorsement. Any such reproduction
should credit the American Lung Association, the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The use
of all or any part of this document in a deceptive or inaccurate manner
or for purposes of endorsing a particular product may be subject to appropriate
legal action.
Statement by the American Lung Association:
The Statements in this brochure are based in part upon
the results of a workshop concerning asbestos in the home which was sponsored
by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung Association
(ALA). The sponsors believe that this brochure provides an accurate summary
of useful information discussed at the workshop and obtained from other
sources. However, ALA did not develop the underlying information used to
create the brochure and does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of
such information. ALA emphasizes that asbestos should not be handled, sampled,
removed or repaired by anyone other than a qualified professional.
Prepared By the
American Lung Association,(The Christmas Seal People),
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
and The Environmental Protection Agency
