Description
Asbestos, from the Greek word meaning inextinguishable, refers to a group of six different naturally occurring mineral fibers similar to fiberglass. Asbestos is strong, flexible, resistant to heat and chemical corrosion, and insulates well. These features led to the use of asbestos in up to 3000 consumer products before government agencies began a phase out in the 1970s because of its health hazards. Asbestos has been used in insulation, roofing, siding, vinyl floor tiles, fireproofing materials, texturized paint and soundproofing materials, heating appliances (such as clothes dryers and ovens), fire-proof gloves and ironing boards. Asbestos continues to be used in some products, such as brake pads. Other mineral products, such as talc and vermiculite, can be contaminated with asbestos. Concern about asbestos relates to airborne fibers from products and building materials that are old, damaged, or decaying. Children’s exposure to asbestos is especially concerning because early and long-term exposure increases risk of developing lung disease and cancer. Asbestos is not hazardous when intact, but if the asbestos is damaged or degraded, it may become airborne where it may be inhaled. Smoking greatly increases the likelihood that a person exposed to asbestos will develop lung cancer.
Health Effects
Immediate Health Effects
- If SWALLOWED, asbestos is Not Available
- If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, asbestos is Not Available
- If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), asbestos is Not Available
Longterm or Delayed Health Effects
Other
- Chronic exposures to low levels of asbestiform fibers or occupational exposure can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs) and pulmonary fibrosis.
- Cancers. Chronic exposures to low levels of asbestiform fibers or occupational exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen). There is some evidence indicating a slight increase in gastrointestinal cancer, possibly from ingesting asbestos.
- Shortness of breath, cough, reduced respiratory functioning.
How Exposures Occur
Air
- Children can breathe asbestos fibers that become airborne when asbestos-containing products are damaged or are disturbed. Fibers usually enter the air from old insulation, floor and roof tiles, roof shingles, cement, clutches and brakes on cars and trucks, vinyl flooring.
Outdoors, asbestos-related industries may release asbestos fibers into the air during manufacturing.
Vermiculite
- Asbestos may contaminate vermiculite, a mineral used as a soil additive and in some insulation, which may be released into the air. Because of the low level of asbestos in vermiculite, the risks associated with household use of potting soil are considered negligible. Those who handle vermiculite every day, however, are at much greater risk.
Water
- Drinking water may contain asbestos fibers due to erosion from natural sources, and corrosion from asbestos-cement pipes and roofing materials.
Work-Related Exposure
- Workers who come into contact with asbestos may unknowingly bring the fibers home on their clothes. The fibers may be released during laundering or other activities. They may also inhale fibers or consume them in food or drink if fibers settle there.
Significant Statistics
Asbestos containing materials are present in most of America’s approximately 107,000 primary and secondary schools and 733,000 public and commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Asbestos Informer. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air, Pesticides and Toxics, May 29, 2009. http://www.epa.gov/region04/air/asbestos/inform.htm
Between 1940 and 1980, an estimated 27 million Americans were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Asbestos fibers cling to clothing and can be taken home.
The Asbestos Informer. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air, Pesticides and Toxics, May 29, 2009. http://www.epa.gov/region04/air/asbestos/inform.htm
Asbestos fibers are inert. They do not evaporate into the air or dissolve in water. Smaller fibers can float in the air for a long period of time.
ToxFAQs for Asbestos. US Department of Health and Human Services. September 2001. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts61.html.
Current studies are examining if asbestos exposure can play a role in autoimmune diseases.
Renner R 2005. Asbestos and Autoimmunity: More Bad News from Libby? Environ Health Perspect 113:A51-A51. doi:10.1289/ehp.113-a51.
http://ehsehplp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.113-a51.
Solutions
How to detect asbestos
- Visual Inspection: Asbestos was once used in many products. If you suspect a product contains asbestos or are just not sure, treat it as if it contains asbestos.
Materials in good condition should be left undisturbed. However, if a renovation is planned, sampling and testing of suspected asbestos-containing building materials is advisable.
If you see signs of asbestos deterioration, such as gray dust near degraded insulation, tiles, texturized paint or other home building material, contact an asbestos professional to have samples collected and tested (see below).
Old appliances, such as stoves, clothes dryers and hair dryers, may contain asbestos. Contact the manufacturer to find out.
EPA also has a list of products that may contain asbestos.
- Sampling and Testing: An EPA-approved testing lab can determine whether samples contain asbestos. You can obtain a list of these labs from the Laboratory Accreditation Administration of the National Institute for Standards and Technology, 301-975-4016. Or contact your state or local health department for information on local professionals.
Do not collect samples yourself! Collection of samples should be left to professionals as incorrect collection may cause asbestos to become airborne, increasing exposure.
- In Drinking Water: Asbestos is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor asbestos levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for asbestos has also been set at 7 million fibers per liter of water.
Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.
If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.
Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.
You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.
How to minimize exposure to asbestos
- Intact or undisturbed asbestos should be left that way. Do not attempt to remove it as the fibers may be released in the process.
- Clean-Up and Repair: Do not sweep, dust, or vacuum where asbestos fibers may be present. Either carefully collect the dust with a wet rag or mop, or bring in a trained professional to do the clean-up. See Resources below for more information on how to find one. To prevent further release of fibers from deteriorating asbestos-containing products, professionals can seal the material to bind the fibers together. Alternately, the material can be covered by an additional protective substance to avoid fiber release. Since exposure to asbestos always presents a health risk, all repairs should be done by a professional.
- Removal: This should be considered the last option, as it is the most risky and expensive. Since exposure to asbestos always presents a health risk, only professionals should engage in asbestos removal. To find asbestos professionals, contact your local or state health department. Or see Resources below for more information on how to find one.
Alternatives
For More information
Books, articles, factsheets and reports
Asbestos in the Home: A Homeowner's Guide. Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Lung Association.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/453.html
Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Fact Sheet. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, August 2001.
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html
Consumer Factsheet on:Asbestos. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, May 8, 2009.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/pdfs/factsheets/ioc/asbestos.pdf
Other government agencies
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information Center: 888-422-8737
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/index.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20460
202-564-7333
EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Hotline: 202-554-1404
EPA Asbestos Ombudsman: 800-368-5888
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/index.htm
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington DC 20207-0001
800-638-2772
http://www.cpsc.gov
Nonprofit organizations
The American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
NY, NY 10019
800-LUNG-USA
http://www.lungusa.org/
White Lung Association
P.O.Box 1483
Baltimore, MD 21203-1483
410-243-5864
http://www.whitelung.org/
Other websites
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/
State and Regional Asbestos Contacts
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/regioncontact.html
Mesothelioma Web
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org
The Center for Asbestos Safety in the Workplace
http://www.mesothelioma-mesothelioma.org
Mesothelioma.com
http://www.Mesothelioma.com
Other
Some studies have found a potential link between stillbirths and asbestos exposure. The studies found asbestos in tissues and placentas of stillborn babies. The study authors suspect that asbestos can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, but scientists need more research before they can prove a link.
Haque, A.K., et al. “Environmental asbestos exposure and adverse outcomes of pregnancy.” Mod Pathol 1996 Jan;9(1):150A.
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~RgZLAc:4.
Haque, A.K., et al. “Asbestos in stillborn infant's organs and placentas: transplacental transfer or artifact?” Mod Pathol 1995 Jan;8(1):143A.
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~RgZLAc:3.
Other
Studies have not shown a connection between asbestos exposure and developmental disorders in dietary
exposure, and there are no known studies of the developmental or reproductive effects of asbestos inhalation in animals or humans.
ATSDR Public Health Statement. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Asbestos, December 1990.
In May, 2000, asbestos was found in some brands of crayons, due to the presence in the talc used in the manufacturing process. Though the risk is not great, use of crayons could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air. Additionally, children could eat them.
There are no known studies of the developmental or reproductive effects of asbestos inhalation in animals or humans.
Schneider, Andrew and Carol Smith. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. �Major Brands of Kids’ Crayons
