Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The Home

1. Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.

2. Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.

3. Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching: compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their
use was banned in 1977.

4. Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos,

5. Older products such as stove-top pads may have somé asbestos compounds.

6. Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement
sheets.

7, Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.

8. Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an
asbestos blanket or tape.

9. Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.



|
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in sealed, leakproof, and labeled plastic bags.
The work site should be visually free of dust and
debris. Air monitoring (to make sure there isno
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, or vacuum debris that
may contain asbestos. These steps will
disturb tiny asbestos fibers and may re-
lease them into the air. Remove dust by
wet mopping or with a special HEPA
vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos
contractors.

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 con-
sumer 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 hairdryers 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 Coordi-
nator in the EPA Regional Office for your. region, or
your state or local health department.

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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
doneto correct the problem. You may hire ageneral
asbestos contractor or, in some cases, a professional
trained to handle specific products containing as-
bestos.

Asbestos professionals can conduct home in-
spections, take samples of suspected material,
assess its condition, and advise about what correc-
tions are needed and whois qualified to make these
corrections. Once again, material in good condi-
tion 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, as-
sessment, 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 pro-

fessionals to document their completion of federal ~

orstate-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.

Ifyou have a problem that requires the services
of asbestos professionals, check their credentials
carefully. Hire professionals who are trained, expe-
rienced, 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 satis-
' fied. Ask whether the professional has handled

‘This document may be reproduced without change, in whole or in part, without permission, except for use as advertising material or

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-ap-
proved training. Homeowners should bealerttothe
chance of misleading claims by asbestos consult-

. ants 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 per-
formed 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 precau-

, tions are needed to do the job properly.

In addition to general asbestos contractors, you

: may-select a roofing, flooring, or plumbing contrac-

tor trained to handle asbestos when it is necessary
to remove and replace roofing, flooring, siding, or

_ asbestos-cement pipe thatis part ofa watersystem.

Normally, roofing and flooring contractors are
exempt from state and local licensing require-

i ments 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 “Recom-
mended Work Procedures for Resilient Floor Cov-

ers.” You can write for a copy from the Resilient
Floor Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford Drive,
Suite 12-B, Rockville, MD 20850. Encloseastamped,

product endorsement. Any such

reproduction should credit the American Lung Association, the U.S. Co
ofall or any part of this document in a deceptive or inaccurate mi

Product Safety Com
+ or for purposes of endorsing a parti

‘and the US. Environmental Protection Agency. The use
‘product may be subjett to appropriate legal action.



Major repairs must be done only by a profes-
sional trained in methods for safely handling ashes-
tos,

Minor repairs should also be done by profession-
als since there is always a risk of ‘exposure to fibers

‘when asbestos is disturbed.
. Doingminorrepairsyourselfisnotrecommended
‘since improper handling of asbestos materials can
create a hazard where none existed, Ifyou never-
theless 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 under-
taking minor repairs, carefully examine the area
around the damage to make sure it is stable. Asa
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 sam-
pling asbestos material. Always wet the asbestos
material usinga fine mist of ‘water containing afew
drops of detergent, Commercial products designed
to fill holes and seal damaged areas are available,
Shall 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 situ-
ations. This is because removal poses the greatest
risk of fiber release. However, removal may be
required when remodelingormakingmajorchanges
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. Im-
proper removal may actually increase the health
family.

risks to you and your
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are legal actions filed against it.

« Insist that the contractor use the proper equip-

ment to do the job. The workers must wear
“approved respirators, gloves, and other protec-

tive clothing.

.* Before work begins, get a written contract speci-

fying 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).
Contactyourstate 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 re-
moval and disposal laws. Atthe end ofthejob, 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 re-
moved material into small pieces. This could
release asbestos fibers into the air. Pipe insula-
tion 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 equip-
mentand 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

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Yyo0K 90100

Asbestos
in Your
Home

Prepared by

AMERICAN
LUNG
ASSOCIATION®

‘The Christmas Seal Peopie®

This booklet will help you understand asbestos:
what it is, its health effects, where it is in your
home, and what to do about it.

Even if asbestos is in your home, this is usually

: NOT a serious problem. The mere presence of
' asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous.

The danger is that asbestos materials may become

i damaged over time. Damaged asbestos may re-
: lease asbestos fibers and become a health hazard.

THE BEST THING TO DO WITH ASBESTOS
MATERIAL IN GOOD CONDITION IS TO

- LEAVE IT ALONE! Disturbing it may create a

health hazard where none existed before. Read this

: booklet before you have any asbestos material in-

spected, removed, or repaired.

What Is Ashestos?

Asbestosisa mineral fiber. Itcanbe positively iden-
tified 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 asbes-
: tos in factories and shipyards, we know that

breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to
an increased risk of:
lung cancer;

%U.S, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 196-416-365

, 8716 Published by the American Lung Association 9/90



omsiiesuaeniretntin.
' business-size, self addressed envelope.
Asbestos-containing automobile brake pads and
linings, clutch facings, and gaskets should be re-
paired and replaced only by a professional using
special protective equipment. Many of these prod-

: ucts are now available without asbestos. For more
information, read “Guidance for Preventing Asbes-
tos Disease Among Auto Mechanics,” available
from regional EPA offices.

. Ef You Hire A
Professional Asbestos
Inspector

‘ e Make sure that the inspection will include a
complete visual examination and the careful
collection and lab analysis of samples. If asbes-
tos 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 ifit 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.

‘Tf 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

STATEMENT BY THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION: The naterens inthis brshure are b
(Gonsumer Product Safety Comision and the ‘Lung Astodation ‘ALA. The sponsors beet
fem athe sours: Hower ALA dnt cevelp the underping nfereaton used a eate he bre
‘should not be handled, sampled, remaved or repaired by onyone other thar a qualified profesional



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 han-
dling and disposal procedures.

If asbestos material is more than slightly dam-
aged, 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. 2

How To Manage An
Asbestos Problem

Ifthe asbestos material isin good shape and willnot
pe disturbed, donothing! Ifitis 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

. 4nsulation can sometimes be repaired this way.

‘This should be done only by a professional trained
to handle asbestos safely.

Covering(enclosure) involves placingsomething
over or around the material that contains asbestos
to prevent release of fibers. Exposed insulated
piping may be covered with a protective wrap or
ijacket.

With any type of repair, the asbestos remainsin
\ place. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, but
-itmay make laterremoval of asbestos, ifnecessary,
more difficult and costly. Repairs can either be

: major or minor.

Asbestos Do’s And
Den’ts For The

Homeowner

— Do keep activities to a minimum in any areas
having damaged material that may contain as-
bestos.

— Do take every precaution to avoid damaging
asbestos material.

— Do have removal and major repair done by
people trained and qualified in handling asbestos.
It is highly recommended that sampling and
minor repair also be done by asbestos profession-
als.

— Don’t dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may
contain asbestos.

— Don’t saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbes-
tos materials.

— Don’t use abrasive pads or brushes on power
strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring.
Never use a power stripper on a dry floor.
— Don't sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its
backing. When asbestos flooring needs replacing,
install new floorcovering over it, if possible.
—Don’t track material that could contain asbes-
tos through the house. If you cannot avoid walk-
ing through the area, have it cleaned with a wet
mop. Ifthe material is from a damaged area, or if
alarge area must be cleaned, call an asbestos pro-
fessional.



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 con-
tain asbestos. Don’t touch it, but look for signs of wear

or damage suchas 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.

You can’t tell whether a material contains asbestos
simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. Ifin doubt,
treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it
sampled and analyzéd by a qualified professional. A
professional should take samples for analysis, since a
professional knows what to look for, and because there
may be an increased health risk if fibers are-released.
In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more
hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking
samples yourselfis not recommended. Ifyou neverthe-
Jess choose to take the samples yourself, take care not
to release asbestos fibers into the air or onto yourself.
Material that is in good condition and will not be
disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left
alone. Only material that is damaged or will be dis-
turbed should be sampled. Anyone who samples asbes-
tos-containing materials should have as much infor-
mation as possible on the handling of asbestos before
sampling, and at a minimum, should observe the
following procedures:
© Make sure noone else is in the room when sampling
is done.
© Wear disposable gloves or wash hands after sam-
pling.
© Shut down any heating or cooling systems to mini-
mize the spread of any released fibers.
Donot disturb the material any more than is needed
to take a small sample.
Place aplastic sheet on the floor below the area to be
sampled.
‘Wet the material using a fine mist of water contain-
ingafew drops of detergent beforetakingthesample.
The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of

How To Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos

Tightly seal the container after the sample isin it.
© Carefully dispose of the plasticsheet. Use adamp

asbestos fibers.

Carefully cut a piece from the entire depth of the
material using, for example, a small knife, corer,
or other sharp object. Place the small piece into a
clean container (for example, a 35 mm film canis-
ter, small glass or plastic vial, or high quality re-
sealable plastic bag).

paper towel to clean up any material on the
outsideofthecontaineroraroundtheareasampled.
Dispose of asbestos materials according to state
and local procedures.

Label the container with an identification number
and clearly state when and where the sample was
taken.

Patch the sampled area with the smallest possible
piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.

Send the sample to an EPA-approved laboratory
for analysis. The National Institute for Standards
and Technology (NIST) has a list of these labora-
tories. You can get this list from the Laboratory
Accreditation Administration, NIST, Gaithers-
burg, MD 20899 (telephone 301-975-4016). Your
state or local health department may also be able
to help.



© 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 in-
creases 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 asbes-
tos for along 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 asbes-
tos, 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 as-

bestos that could be inhaled are required to be

labeled as such. However, until the 1970s, many

types of building products and insulation materi-

als 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 re-
lease 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. Somay scraping or sanding the backing of
sheet flooring during removal.

* CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER
used as insulation around furnaces and'wood-
burning stoves. Repairing or removing appli-
ances 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 MA-

‘TERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose,

crumbly, or water-damaged material may re-

lease fibers. So will sanding, drilling, or scrap-
ing the material.

PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for

walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS.

Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces

may release asbestos.

e ASBESTOSCEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES,
and SIDING. These products are not likely to
release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled, 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 LIN-

INGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.

What Should Be ©
Done About Asbestos
In The Home?

Ifyo think asbestos may be in your home, don’t
panic! Usually, the best thingis to LEAVE asbestos
material that is in good condition ALONE.

°

.