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Employees
Asbestos
Please refer to http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/asbestos/index.html#Program%20Description for detailed information regarding the history of asbestos, bans, types of materials, regulations regarding removal, health department contacts, etc.
Asbestos has long been known for its excellent insulating qualities and resistance to heat. Contrary to popular belief, asbestos is still allowed in certain building materials and applications. Products manufactured in Canada and Mexico are unregulated and available for purchase in the USA. Therefore it is impossible to say that homes built after a certain date do not contain any asbestos. Some sources state that asbestos was banned in 1979, and others say 1989, but in fact some of the bans were overturned. There are currently 6 materials that are prohibited from containing asbestos, if manufactured in the USA.
For a list of dates and banned materials, see http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/asbestos/AsbestosBans.pdf
Also see, http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/asbestos/AsbestosGeneralInfo.pdf for general information. Other very informative sites, especially regarding Mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center, and the Mesothelioma Cancer center
Perhaps the following generalizations can be made: Homes built after 1989 have a lesser likelihood of containing asbestos, followed by increasing probability for homes built between 1979 and 1989; then greater yet possibility for homes built between 1950 and 1979; and homes built prior to 1950 have a the greatest probability of having asbestos materials.
The presence of
asbestos materials in a home is generally not considered a hazard unless the
material becomes damaged or disturbed. Damaged or disturbed asbestos
material can release fibers and/or dust into the air that may be inhaled.
- Inhalation of asbestos fibers and/or dust can cause several
diseases, including "asbestosis", a disease similar to emphysema,
and several types of cancer. See
Mesothelioma
& Asbestos Awareness Center,
http://www.asbestosnews.com/, and
www.asbestos.com
- The likelihood of developing an asbestos related disease increases
with the amount of asbestos inhaled and the length of time exposed to
breathing asbestos fibers.
- Smoking, when combined with breathing asbestos fibers, greatly
increases the risk of asbestos related diseases.
- The risk of asbestos related diseases seems to be greatest for
workers who manufactured, handled, installed and/or removed asbestos
containing products.
Asbestos comes in several forms, and is found in many different products, such as:
- Insulation for piping, boilers, ductwork, etc.
- Automobile brake and clutch linings
- Asbestos mineral shingles
- Siding products, such as "transite" and asbestos siding
- Floor tile and adhesives. Much of the older 9" x 9"
resilient floor tile used in homes and businesses in the past contains some
asbestos, as does some of the adhesives used to secure the tile.
Asbestos can be classified as either "friable" or non-friable.
Friable asbestos is asbestos that can easily release fibers into the air, such as pipe insulation or duct insulation that is in poor condition. This type asbestos when handled, bumped or touched, may release fibers into the air which can then be inhaled into the lungs.
- Non-friable asbestos is asbestos which will not easily crumble,
abrade, or otherwise easily release its fibers into the air. Examples of
this type asbestos are: asbestos floor tiles (in good condition), asbestos
siding, and asbestos shingles (sometimes referred to as mineral fiber
shingles).
- Asbestos in a non-friable state is not harmful as no fibers are
being released into the air for inhalation.
- Asbestos in a friable state is a health concern. When
disturbed it releases asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers are
very small and can stay airborne for long periods of time.
Asbestos in the home should be treated in different ways, according to the type of asbestos and degree of friability.
- Asbestos floor tiles (or suspected asbestos tiles) are generally
best left in place. Common practice is to install new flooring over the
old tile. Removing the old tile would probably release asbestos fibers
and is not recommended.
- Asbestos siding is often left in place and new insulation and siding is installed over the old siding. "Look alike" products are available if you want to replace some of the shingle siding with a fiber-cement product. Try this link to the GAF web-site.
- Asbestos shingles usually must be removed and properly disposed of
in a landfill approved for this type asbestos disposal. Here is a link to a
site regarding safe removal: UNL.
There may also be some State and/or local regulations, so please contact
your local building department for starters.
- Some older duct, pipe, or boiler insulation may contain asbestos.
This insulation is generally aging and often in need of repair. Repair
is usually preferred over replacement of this insulation as replacement is
expensive and should only be done by specially trained and equipped personnel.
Repair should also be done by trained personnel but is much less expensive.
Repair usually consists of placing the insulation in a stable condition.
This may entail a process called "encapsulation" and/or wrapping
with plastic or another approved method.
- Experienced people may be able to identify certain products as likely to contain asbestos, but positive identification of a material as containing asbestos can only be made by laboratory analysis.
Please refer to http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/asbestos/index.html#Program%20Description for detailed information regarding the history of asbestos, bans, types of materials, regulations regarding removal, health department contacts, etc.