HOMEOWNER’S 

AND RENTER’S 

GUIDE TO ASBESTOS 

CLEANUP AFTER 

DISASTERS 

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HOMEOWNER’S AND RENTER’S GUIDE TO ASBESTOS CLEANUP AFTER DISASTERS

Cleanup and rehabilitation activities can pose health hazards due to the 

possible presence of asbestos. Asbestos can be present in many types 

of building materials, such as: wrapping around pipes, drywall taping, 

popcorn ceiling materials, attic insulation and much more. The first concern, 

however, is safety for you and your family members. Do not allow children 

to participate in disaster response cleanup. Inhaling asbestos fibers released 

from demolition, renovation and handling of asbestos is dangerous. We strongly 

encourage you to engage a licensed or certified asbestos abatement 

contractor to do any work involving asbestos. 

WHY WE SHOULD WORRY 

Asbestos fibers — even low exposure to them — are a health risk and can cause lung damage, including cancer. 

When residences containing asbestos are renovated or torn down, or when the asbestos is disturbed, minute 

asbestos fibers may be released into the air. These fibers are so small that they often cannot be seen with the 

naked eye and can be inhaled without one even knowing, underscoring how dangerous asbestos can really be. 

KEY MESSAGES 

• Wear personal protective equipment. OSHA 

recommends a rubber half-mask respirator with 

HEPA (N100, purple) cartridges as a minimum. 

• Know the law. There are strict local, state and 

federal requirements for asbestos removal and 

disposal that trained licensed professionals 

must follow. 

• Use portable generators carefully, outside and 

away from the home, to avoid CO poisoning 

and fires. 

These materials are more likely to contain asbestos 

if installed before 1980: 

•		 Pipe and boiler and duct coverings (thermal 

system insulation) 

•		 Roofing, shingles and siding 

•		 Floor tiles and vinyl flooring, backing and 

mastic 

•		 Vermiculite attic insulation 

•		 Plaster, cement, putties and caulk 

•		 Ceiling tiles and spray-on coatings (acoustic 

and fireproofing) 

•		 Textured paints 

•		 Heat-resistant textiles 

Although residences of any age may contain asbestos, those built after 1980 are less likely to contain asbestos, 

except for homes with vermiculite insulation, which was used until 1990 or later. Certain materials, including 

floor tiles and roof and siding shingles, are less likely to release fibers than pipe and boiler insulation if still in 

good condition. If broken or crushed, all asbestos materials will release fibers to the air. 

HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM 

The only way to find out if your home has asbestos is to have a sample analyzed at a laboratory. Inspections 

to determine the presence of asbestos must be performed by certified asbestos inspectors. 

See http://www.nachi.org/asbestos.htm or contact your local health department. State contacts are listed at 

http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/state-asbestos-contacts. For asbestos laboratories visit http://ts.nist.gov/ 

Standards/scopes/plmtm.htm. 

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HOMEOWNER’S AND RENTER’S GUIDE TO ASBESTOS CLEANUP AFTER DISASTERS

RE-ENTERING YOUR RESIDENCE AFTER A DISASTER
 


Re-entering your home after a natural disaster can pose risks to you and your family. If rescue personnel have 

searched your home, it may have a FEMA search marking. Here are some tips to make sure it is safe to re-enter 

the home: 

•		 Return home only when officials say it is safe. 

•		 Do not allow children to participate in post disaster cleanup work. 

•		 Check for structural safety including, sagging ceilings or floors. 

•		 Check for loose power lines or gas leaks and make sure the electricity and gas are turned off. 

•		 Make sure floors are safe — water and mud make floors slippery. 

•		 People with breathing problems or who have weakened immune systems should stay away from the 

damaged residence. 

•		 If you find a trapped person, call 911. Do not attempt a rescue, as you may become a victim. 

•		 Be aware of health and sanitation hazards: 

o	 Avoid contaminated buildings and contaminated water as much as possible. 

o	 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water often when working with debris. 

o	 Wear proper clothing and respiratory protection. 

•		 Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, 

washed out roads and dead animals. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO: HANDLING GUIDELINES 

Homeowners, renters, volunteers and contractors are strongly encouraged to seek the assistance of a licensed/ 

certified asbestos abatement contractor when cleaning up asbestos debris. At a minimum, use the following 

recommended procedures to handle any suspected asbestos-containing materials: 

•		 Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling asbestos. PPE includes gloves, goggles, 

Tyvek® or equivalent clothing and respiratory protection. Asbestos fibers are impossible to see so a 

fitted rubber half-face respirator (mask) with cartridges rated for use with asbestos (HEPA, N100) is the 

minimum protection. These masks are not effective in the presence of facial hair. 

•		 Wet down any suspected asbestos surface and keep it wet at all times. However, even wet asbestos 

will release fibers if it is damaged or crushed during demolition. Wetting broken or damaged asbestos 

insulation does not guarantee reduced exposure to airborne fibers. 

•		 Wash hands after handling asbestos but before removing the mask. Asbestos will cling to hair, clothing, 

car seats, pet hair, carpets and other textiles, and may become an ongoing source of exposure for family 

members. 

•		 Avoid activities that will cause asbestos to generate dust such as vacuuming or sweeping. Wet the area 

down completely and mop or wipe up the dust. If necessary, use a HEPA vacuum approved for use with 

asbestos fibers. 

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•		 Keep all family members out of 

the work area, or seal the area. Do 

not carry contaminated clothing 

or other materials home to 

your family members. Place the 

contaminated clothing with the 

asbestos waste into contractor 

grade plastic bags. Bag it again; 

seal and label the bag. 

•		 Avoid smoking, eating, or drinking 

in asbestos-contaminated areas. 

•		 Post signs: Danger: Asbestos Dust 

Hazard; Cancer and Lung Disease 

Hazard; Authorized Personnel 

Only. 

•		 Shower or hose off to keep from bringing asbestos to your current living quarters. 

SAFETY TIPS ON USING PORTABLE GENERATORS 

If you use a portable generator for electricity, use CAUTION to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires. 

•		 Use portable generators OUTSIDE and far away from buildings. 

•		 Do not put portable generators on balconies or near doors, vents, or windows. 

•		 Do not use portable generators near where you or your children are sleeping. 

•		 Never refuel a generator while it is hot. 

•		 For more information, go to http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/portable_generator_safety.pdf 

DISPOSAL 

During construction and demolition of residences, it is extremely important that asbestos materials be kept wet, 

double bagged, sealed, and clearly labeled. Make sure asbestos is disposed of in a specially designated landfill 

that accepts asbestos. Find one through your local or state solid waste authority. 

CLEARANCE BEFORE REOCCUPYING YOUR HOME 

If asbestos will be worked on, consult an accredited asbestos inspector on whether to have the air tested before 

you reoccupy your home. (Testing involves sampling the air and having an accredited asbestos laboratory use 

a special microscope to analyze it.) After the work, have the area inspected to ensure the work is complete 

and the area is dust-free. If air sampling is done, the inspector will advise you on reoccupying your home. 

See “How to Find Out if You Have a Problem” above about finding asbestos professionals and laboratories. 

LOCAL CONTACT INFO:
 


HOMEOWNER’S AND RENTER’S GUIDE TO ASBESTOS CLEANUP AFTER DISASTERS, JUNE 2015 

Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force - Indoor Environmental Pollutants Work Group 4