When disturbed, asbestos breaks down into fibers up to 1,200 times thinner than a human hair. When inhaled, they become trapped in lung tissues. Medical research tells us that up to 30 years after inhalation, asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer or mesothelioma, a related terminal cancer of the tissue lining of the chest cavity. Look for asbestos markings on the product or track the product back to its manufacturer or supplier. If these approaches don't work, submit a small sample for laboratory analysis.
Cost is minimal.
Ask a laboratory technician to instruct you how to safely take a sample. If you decide not to check for asbestos in a suspected material, you should assume it contains asbestos and treat it accordingly. Many home heating appliances and heating systems contain asbestos insulation or gasket materials. It's common to find it as insulation on old furnaces and boilers, heating ducts and hot water pipes. It's also often found in insulating board materials installed under or around heating appliances.