What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring minerals that separate into strong, very fine fibers. The fibers are heat--and fire-resistant, and extremely durable. Because of these qualities, asbestos has been used in over 3,500 building and consumer products. Since the turn of the century, 30 million tons of asbestos have been used in homes, schools, and workplaces throughout the United States.

Most homes built or remodeled between 1950 and 1978, contain some kind of asbestos material. Asbestos is still used in some products, but federal and state regulations prohibit asbestos from being used in most indoor construction materials.

Why is asbestos a problem?

Asbestos tends to break down into a dust of microscopic size fibers, unless it is completely sealed into a product. A single fiber of asbestos magnified 1,000 times looks slightly larger than a strand of human hair. Because of their size and shape, these tiny fibers remain suspended in the air for long periods of time.

When inhaled or ingested, they can easily penetrate the body tissues. Because of their durability, these fibers can remain in the body for many years and can cause a number of different diseases.

What diseases are associated with asbestos?

Asbestos exposure can cause many disabling and sometimes fatal diseases. Among the most common asbestos-caused diseases are:

• Asbestosis, a scarring of the lung tissue or the linings of the lung which can reduce lung function and make breathing more difficult. Once the scarring has begun, asbestosis is irreversible. Asbestosis victims can develop complications which can sometimes be fatal, such as heart disease and lung infections.

• Mesothelioma, a cancer of the membranes lining the lungs, chest, or abdomen. It is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos and is almost always fatal.

• Lung cancer and other cancers, including cancers of the tongue, sinuses, mouth, larynx, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, intestines, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder.

What are some of the symptoms associated with asbestos disease?

Symptoms of asbestos-caused diseases generally do not appear for 10 to 35 years after the first exposure to asbestos. Therefore, long before its effects are detectable, asbestos related injury to the body may have already occurred. If you develop any of the following symptoms, see a doctor without delay:

• shortness of breath
• a chronic cough or change in cough pattern
• blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs
• pain in the chest or abdomen
• difficulty in swallowing/prolonged hoarseness
• significant weight loss

The key to successful treatment of asbestos-caused diseases lies in early detection and prompt, aggressive treatment. If you have been exposed to asbestos (or suspect exposure), tell your doctor. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests may be recommended.

Is there a safe level of exposure to asbestos?

There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos and all varieties of asbestos can cause disease. This does not mean that if you breathe asbestos fibers you will get disease--but your risk of developing serious disease increases with each exposure. And if you smoke, your chances of developing asbestos-related lung cancer are 50 to 90 times greater than nonsmokers. The best protection against asbestos-caused disease is to avoid exposure.

Where might I find asbestos in my home?

An estimated 80% of all homes built or remodeled before 1978 contain asbestos materials. From basement to rooftop, it's likely that asbestos is present somewhere.

Click here for a chart from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which shows what kinds of building materials may contain asbestos. The word "friable" means that the asbestos-containing material can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to a powder by hand pressure or other mechanical means. If you use mechanical abrasion such as a handsaw, grinder, or buffer on nonfriable materials then asbestos fibers can also get into the air.

In addition to the materials listed on the EPA chart, asbestos may also be found in:

• Heater ducts, registers, and flues
• Fuse box liners, lamp socket collars, and wiring
• Artificial fireplace logs and ashes before 1977
• Around built-in stoves and dishwashers
• Appliances, including freezers, ovens, and some toasters and hair dryers made before 1979
• Ironing board covers, hot pad holders and oven mitts