Asbestos

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral fiber, was once widely used in building materials and products to strengthen them and provide heat insulation and fire resistance. It is still used in some products today. When it is intact and undisturbed, asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. If asbestos-containing materials are damaged, disturbed, or deteriorate over time, there is a health risk because the microscopic fibers can be inhaled into the lungs.

How can asbestos affect my health?

Breathing asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of three types of disease - lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos, as we all are in our daily lives, don't develop serious health problems. If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos, contact your health care provider.

Where could asbestos be found in my home?

While most products made today don't contain asbestos, there are many which still might. Testing may be the only way to know if a product contains asbestos. The following are examples of where asbestos hazards may be found in the home.

How do I identify materials that contain asbestos?

Unless it is labeled, you can't tell whether material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. Taking samples yourself is not recommended. A professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released. If done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone. Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled.

To test a material for asbestos, contact an asbestos consultant or laboratory listed in the phone book's yellow pages or online. Search under "Asbestos Consulting and Testing" or "Labs, Analytical - Asbestos."

What should be done about asbestos in my home?

If the asbestos material is in good shape and will not be disturbed, it's likely that nothing needs to be done. Monitor the material for deterioration and prevent the material from getting damaged or disturbed. If asbestos material is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is recommended.

Repair usually involves either sealing or covering asbestos material.

Sealing (encapsulation) involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the material so fibers are not released. Pipe, furnace and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired this way. This should be done only by a professional trained to handle asbestos safely.
Covering (enclosure) involves placing something over or around the material that contains asbestos to prevent release of fibers. Exposed insulated piping may be covered with a protective wrap or jacket.

Removal may be required when remodeling or making major changes to your home, or when asbestos material is damaged and cannot be repaired. Removal is usually more expensive than repair.

Federal and state laws govern asbestos removal and disposal. For more information, including directions for building owners, construction contractors, and asbestos abatement contractors see the State Department of Labor and Industries' asbestos removal requirements.

Can I clean up the asbestos myself?

If you are the homeowner and the home is not used for commercial purposes you can clean it up yourself. You must follow federal and state laws. The Department of Ecology administers the Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and requires notification before demolishing or renovating facilities with asbestos containing materials. In areas of the state with a Clean Air Agency, the responsibility is delegated to them.

Before beginning any demolition or remodel project, you must check for asbestos and follow the specific guidelines for properly identifying, handling, removing, and disposing of any asbestos that might be disturbed. See the Department of Ecology's asbestos regulations and guidance or find your local Clean Air Agency.

What about asbestos in schools?

EPA regulates asbestos in schools under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). AHERA requires each local education agency (school district) to:

Perform an original inspection followed by re-inspections every three years of asbestos-containing materials.
Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school.
Provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations regarding the availability of the school's asbestos management plan and any asbestos abatement actions taken or planned in the school.
Assign a trained designated person to ensure the responsibilities of the local education agency are properly implemented.
Perform surveillances every six months of known or assumed asbestos-containing building materials.
Ensure that properly-accredited professionals perform inspections and response actions and prepare management plans.
Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training.

For specific information on asbestos in schools, see the EPA Region 10: the Pacific Northwest Web site.

Are there problems with naturally-occurring asbestos in Washington State?

Naturally occurring asbestos has been found on a landslide deposit on Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County. As this area erodes, the asbestos is carried and deposited along with sediment into Swift Creek and Sumas River, north to the Canadian border. The Whatcom County Health Department and the Washington State Department of Health have issued health advisories to residents and property owners along Swift Creek and the Sumas River. The health advisories outline measures people can take to limit their exposure. Federal, state, and local agencies are working together to address this situation. For more information, see the EPA's Sumas Mountain Asbestos Web site.

What is asbestos?