Identifying Materials Made Of Asbestos

Identifying asbestos in your home or work environment is crucial in reducing your risk of becoming ill from lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is a gray fibrous mineral derived from serpentine, crocidilite, grunerite, or other minerals which have high tensile strength and heat resistant properties. The fibers are about the width of a human hair and can lodge in the lungs and cause asbestosis, pleural plaques, or mesothelioma. These diseases may develop 15 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos fibers.

Identification

Identifying asbestos is difficult to do without the help of technology. Accredited laborities use Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) to detect the presence of asbestos.

Asbestos was commonly used in household, building and industrial products from the 1940s to the 1980s. Asbestos fibers from these materials can become airborne if these products are damaged or disturbed. Avoid cutting, drilling, or marring any item or area in your home that you suspect contains asbestos. Do not sweep or vacuum any dust that collects under or near the item. Call a trained professional to perform an inspection of the area. Federal law requires asbestos abatement professionals to be trained to inspect, repair or remove asbestos in a safe manner.

Common Household Items

Common household items that may contain asbestos include plaster, roof shingles, siding, ceiling or floor tiles, vermiculite insulation, adhesives, ironing board covers, trivets, gaskets, older model hair dryers, oven mitts and electric blankets. Brake linings in older model vehicles also pose a threat.

Unusual Sources of Asbestos

In June of 2000, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that trace elements of asbestos were found in some leading brands of children’s crayons. The agency asked crayon manufacturers to voluntarily remove the talc from their products. The companies complied with the government’s request. Talc in its raw form naturally contains asbestos and is used as a strengthening agent in crayons.

Although it is illegal to use raw talc in the United States in cosmetics or body care products, as recently as 2009, asbestos was found in baby talcum powder manufactured in Korea.

EPA Asbestos Ban Overturned

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the ban and phase out of many asbestos containing products in 1989. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ban in 1990. In the ruling, the EPA continued a ban on “new uses of asbestos,” but lifted the ban on many asbestos-cement products, brake parts, roof coatings, floor tiles and friction materials.

Contacting a Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with an illness caused by exposure to asbestos, it is best to contact a qualified attorney who can answer legal questions pertaining to your case.

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