What Is Asbestos?
This potentially dangerous mineral fiber can be a cause for concern in older homes
Highlights
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil.
Inhaling asbestos can lead to lung damage and cancer.
While no longer mined, asbestos still appears in some materials.
The main asbestos types are amosite, chrysotile, and crocidolite.
Be mindful when managing or removing asbestos in your home.
Older homes come with an indisputable amount of charm. But, if your home was built before the 1980s, asbestos might be lurking, too. This fibrous mineral was used prolifically in insulation and other commercial products prior to the 1970s and 1980s. Learn more about what asbestos is, how to identify it, and what you can do about it.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is found in rock and soil. This mineral is known for its strength and resistance to heat—qualities that led to it being widely used in commercial products and building materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. As they age, products made with asbestos can release microscopic fibers. Undetected, these fibers can linger in the air for days after the initial disturbance, ready to enter human lungs when inhaled. The fibers can go deep within a person’s lung cavity, lodging in the lung tissue. Over time, these fibers can cause lung cancer, lung tissue scarring (asbestosis), and cancer of the lung cavity lining (mesothelioma).
How Is Asbestos Regulated?
Although asbestos is no longer mined in the U.S., it is not completely banned. In fact, the material still lingers in some products and materials often found in structures built before 1980, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pushed for a partial ban on manufacturing, importing, processing, and distributing some asbestos-containing products. New asbestos products were also prohibited from entering the marketplace.
Where Is Asbestos Found?
If your home was built before 1980, there’s a good chance that it could have lingering asbestos. It’s helpful—and smart—to be aware of the spaces throughout your home that may have asbestos. Here are some common areas where asbestos may have been used:
Roof materials (i.e., shingles)
Siding
Laminate flooring
Furnace and boiler
Insulation for old electrical wiring
Fireplaces
Pipe insulation
Wallboard
Wallpaper
Insulation used in walls and ceilings
How Do I Know If I Have Asbestos in My House?
The three most common types of asbestos that appear in residential and commercial properties come in distinct colors. Homeowners should also periodically check for water damage, as well as tears and abrasions on the material. But, according to the EPA, there’s only one way to confirm that a material has asbestos: have it tested by a qualified laboratory.
Identifying Asbestos in Your Home
When tackling this issue, it’s important to answer: “What does asbestos look like?” Knowing what asbestos looks like can help keep you alert and safe. Three types of asbestos are usually found in commercial and residential buildings throughout the United States:
Amosite: This asbestos, which is brown, was widely used in insulation boards and ceiling tiles. Amosite, which was the second most-used asbestos, poses the greatest risk of cancer out of all of the types.
Chrysotile: This white asbestos is the most commonly used type, appearing in everything from roofs and ceilings to walls and floors.
Crocidolite: Blue in color, this is the most hazardous type of asbestos. It was used in spray-on coatings, plastics, and pipe insulation.
How to Test for Asbestos
A local asbestos abatement pro will conduct an asbestos inspection (also called an asbestos survey). A survey, which confirms the presence of asbestos, includes several elements, such as air testing, duct sample testing, and physical sample testing. Typically, asbestos testing costs will range from $230 to $782. The final cost for an asbestos survey will depend on other factors, ranging from your property’s size and condition to your geographic location. If the survey results come back positive for asbestos, it’s best to arrange for it to be managed or removed.
What to Do If You Find Asbestos in Your Home
If an asbestos survey confirms that there’s asbestos in your home, the EPA recommends dealing with it in one of three ways:
Leave it. If the material is in good condition, it most likely will not pose a health risk. However, it’s still a best practice to keep children away from the material.
Repair. This process would include leaving the material in place and binding it through enclosure or encapsulation, which would prevent the asbestos fibers from being airborne. For example, floor tile with asbestos could be enclosed by covering it with new flooring.
Removal. If the material is damaged or could be disturbed by a home renovation project, consider removing it. This process can be complex and time-consuming. Asbestos removal costs range from $450 to $6,000, depending on the selected removal process, the amount of asbestos, and the space size.
Tips for Physically Handling Asbestos
Asbestos can be dangerous, so it’s best to hire a pro to remove it from your home. However, if you are considering taking a DIY approach to handling asbestos, follow these precautions:
Seal off the work area with plastic sheets.
Turn off the air conditioning and furnace to avoid spreading asbestos fibers.
Wear proper gear, including disposable coveralls, gloves, and a respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Keep asbestos materials wet by using a pump sprayer.
Meticulously clean your work area with disposable wet wipes and a vacuum cleaner, preferably with a HEPA filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs of asbestos poisoning include shortness of breath, swollen fingertips, extreme fatigue, wheezing, and a long-lasting dry cough. Exposure to asbestos should always be taken seriously—especially if you are experiencing asbestos poisoning symptoms. It’s best to be evaluated by a medical professional, who can evaluate your symptoms and recommend treatment.
Although the use of asbestos has declined since the 1980s, it remains in several different types of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. Typically, asbestos can be found in materials such as ceiling and floor tiles, heat-resistant fabrics and coatings, and roof shingles. You may also find asbestos in textured paint and patching compounds.