What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials until the 1980s because it is:
- Heat resistant
- Strong and durable
- Chemical resistant
- Sound absorbing
- Inexpensive
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release tiny fibers that can be inhaled and cause serious diseases years or decades later.
Where Asbestos May Be Found
Asbestos might be present in many building materials in structures built before 1980:
Insulation
- Pipe insulation
- Boiler insulation
- Attic and wall insulation
- HVAC duct insulation
Flooring Materials
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Sheet vinyl flooring
- Flooring adhesives
- Leveling compound
Roofing Materials
- Roofing shingles
- Roofing felt
- Flashing
- Roofing cement
Wall Materials
- Drywall joint compound
- Plaster
- Textured paint or popcorn ceilings
- Wall panels
Other Materials
- Ceiling tiles
- Fire doors
- Fireproofing materials
- Gaskets and packings
- Cement pipes
- Cement siding
Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos causes several serious diseases:
Asbestosis
- Scarring of lung tissue
- Progressive breathing difficulty
- Permanent lung damage
- Usually takes 10-20 years to develop
Lung Cancer
- Similar to lung cancer from smoking
- Much higher risk for smokers exposed to asbestos
- Usually takes 15-30 years to develop
Mesothelioma
- Cancer of the lining of lungs or abdomen
- Almost exclusively caused by asbestos
- Often fatal within 1-2 years of diagnosis
- Usually takes 20-50 years to develop
Other Diseases
- Pleural plaques
- Pleural effusions
- Cancers of the larynx, stomach, and colon
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
How to Identify Potential Asbestos
You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. However, you should suspect asbestos in:
- Buildings constructed before 1980
- Older materials that are being renovated or demolished
- Materials that match the list above
- Materials labeled as containing asbestos
The only way to confirm asbestos is through laboratory testing by a qualified professional.
What To Do If You Suspect Asbestos
If you encounter suspicious material:
- Stop work immediately
- Don't touch, disturb, or move the material
- Notify your supervisor right away
- Keep others away from the area
- Don't create dust by sweeping or vacuuming
- Don't return to the area until it's cleared
Remember: If you're not certified for asbestos work, don't handle it!
Activities That Can Disturb Asbestos
Many construction activities can release asbestos fibers:
- Demolition
- Drilling or cutting
- Sanding or scraping
- Sawing or grinding
- Removing tiles or flooring
- Breaking through walls
- Removing insulation
- Handling damaged materials
OSHA Requirements
OSHA has specific rules for asbestos work:
- Requires monitoring of air quality
- Sets exposure limits
- Requires specific work practices
- Requires proper respirators and PPE
- Mandates special training for asbestos workers
- Requires medical surveillance for workers
Only specially trained and certified workers with proper equipment can legally work with asbestos.
Class of Asbestos Work
OSHA defines four classes of asbestos work:
Class I
Removal of thermal insulation and sprayed-on materials
- Highest risk
- Requires extensive controls
- Requires full containment
- Requires highest level of training
Class II
Removal of other asbestos-containing materials (flooring, roofing, etc.)
- Still high risk
- Requires specific work practices
- Requires specialized training
Class III
Repair and maintenance operations that might disturb asbestos
- Moderate risk
- Requires specific controls
- Requires specialized training
Class IV
Maintenance and custodial activities where workers contact but don't disturb asbestos
- Lower risk
- Still requires awareness training
- Still requires basic controls
Your Rights as a Worker
When it comes to asbestos, you have the right to:
- Know if asbestos is present in your workplace
- Receive proper training before working around asbestos
- Have proper protection if exposure is possible
- See results of air monitoring if conducted
- Receive medical examinations if you're exposed
- File an OSHA complaint if these rights are violated
Protecting Yourself and Others
To protect against accidental asbestos exposure:
- Complete asbestos awareness training
- Ask about asbestos before starting renovation/demolition work
- Review building surveys or testing results when available
- Never cut, drill, sand, or disturb suspicious materials
- Report damaged materials that might contain asbestos
- Never dry sweep, dust, or vacuum debris that might contain asbestos
- Don't bring dust home on clothing or tools