Overview

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is found in many countries on just about every continent.  Serpentine Chrysotile is the state rock of California.  Asbestos is still mined in several countries, including Canada, Mexico, China and Russia.  However countries like the US included have outlawed the mining of asbestos. 

 

Asbestos is a highly-fibrous mineral with long, thin, separable fibers.  The thin fibers possess valuable heat-resistant properties that make asbestos suitable for insulation and other such products.  Asbestos was most commonly used in building materials such as vinyl floorings, acoustic ceiling systems, thermal system insulation (TSI), roofing materials, exterior siding, pipe/boiler insulation, interior plaster/drywall finishes, fireproofing, window putty; to name a few.  For decades, asbestos was the material of choice for many industries that were manufacturing products for which heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, flexibility and high tensile strength were essential factors.

 

Definitions

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations define an asbestos-containing material (ACM) as any material with an asbestos content greater than one percent (>1%).    However, the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) regulations define asbestos-containing construction material (ACCM) as any material with an asbestos content greater than one tenth of one percent (>0.1%).  Cal/OSHA and EPA regulations regarding the proper handling of ACM must be followed for materials containing greater than one percent asbestos.  Materials with less than one percent and greater than one tenth of one percent asbestos are only regulated by Cal/OSHA.

 

Regulatory Impact

In 1973 the EPA issued what would be the initial ban of certain asbestos-containing products.    This ban does not address all ACM products, thus adding to the misconception that asbestos has been completely banned in the US.  Additionally, with acts such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), allowing the import and export of building materials with Canada and Mexico and other similar trade agreements world-wide, it makes it difficult to police goods that may potentially contain asbestos.  Although it is very unlikely to find ACM within properties constructed after 1979, because of the difficulty in monitoring the origin of pre-fabricated building materials, one cannot discount the possibility.

 

Therefore, regardless of construction date, if planned renovations or demolition activities will be performed in any residence or public-occupied property, the EPA requires an Asbestos Survey be completed by certified professionals.

 

 

 

Common Asbestos Questions

 

How do I know if my home contains Asbestos?

The only way to find out if your home has asbestos is to have an ACM Survey performed by certified professionals.  All suspect materials are sampled in accordance to regulatory guidelines and sent to accredited laboratories for analysis.  The environmental consultant may issue a report which interprets lab data and assesses condition, hazard potential and quantity of ACM.

 

If I find Asbestos in my home should I be worried?

As long as ACM are in good condition, they do not pose a health and safety concern.  However, any material that becomes damaged or will be disturbed during renovation or demolition activities should be sampled to confirm asbestos content.  If found to contain asbestos, these materials should be handled, removed and disposed of by a licensed abatement contractor.