&EPA
United Slate* Regions (ARTAP) R«v»«d Match 1993
Environmental Protection 999 IWh Street, Suite 500
Agency Denver*, CO 802Q2
Asbestos
In the Home
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United States nn ! '<'
Environmental Protection Agency uu '
Region 8
Air Programs Branch
8 ART-AP
999 16th Street, Suite 500
Denver, Colorado 80202-2466
(303) 294-7685
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) strives to provide accurate, complete, and useful information.
However, neither EPA, nor any other person contributing to or assisting kt the
preparation of this booklet - nor any person acting on the behalf of any of these
parties - makes any warranty, guarantee, or representation (express orimpSed) with
respect to the usefulness or effectiveness of any information, method, orprocees
disclosed in this material or assumes any $abmty for the use of- orfordamagea
arising from the use of-any information, methods, or process disclosed in this
material.
^ Printed on Recycled Paper
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Introduction
Health Concerns
Asbestos - Chrysotlfe
Enlarged
Approximately 4000
Times
The aim of this booklet Is to respond to some
frequently asked questions about asbestos and to
provide information to help the homeowner make
informed decisions about its care and
maintenance.
Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally
occurring minerals that separate Into strong, very
fine fibers. The fibers are heat-resistant and
extremely durable, and, because of these
qualities, asbestos has become very useful in
construction and industry. In the home It may or
may not pose a health hazard to the occupants,
depending on Its condition. When it can be
crushed by hand pressure or the surface is not
sealed, to prevent small pieces from escaping,
the material is considered FRIABLE. In this
condition fibers can be released and pose a
health risk. However, as long as the surface is
stable and well-sealed against the release of rts
fibers and not damaged, the material is
considered safe until damaged in some way.
Asbestos tends to break down into a dust of
microscopic size fibers. Because of their size
shape, these tiny fibers remain suspended in the
air for long periods of time and can easily
penetrate body tissues after being inhaled or
ingested. Because of their durability, these fib®rS
can remain in the body for many years and
thereby become the cause of asbestos related
diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases generally do not
appear for 10 to 30 years after the exposure.
Therefore, long before its effects are detectable,
asbestos related injury to the body may have
already occurred. There is no safe level of
exposure known, therefore exposure to friable
asbestos should be avoided.
Asbettoa can cause:
Asbestosla Lung Cancer Mesothelioma
i
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Identifying
Asbestos
Sampling Suspect
Material
Descriptions given in this booklet may help in
identifying asbestos-containing materials. People
who frequently work with this material, such as
plumbers, contractors, and heating specialists
can often correctly guess whether a material
contains asbestos. However, the only way to be
sure Is to have a sample of the suspect material
analyzed by a laboratory. Do not rely on visual
determinations. It Is prudent to treat material
which could contain asbestos as if It does, until
and unless reliable analysis proves otherwise.
Laboratories that do this work are usually listed in
the telephone yellow pages as "LABORATORIES
ANALYTICAL."
Remember, the asbestos fibers that would
cause health problems are much too small to be
seen without a powerful microscope. In fact, an
average human hair is approximately 1200 times
thicker than an asbestos fiber.
It is important that you not release asbestos
fibers Into the air or onto yourself when taking
samples. Only you should be in the room when
sampling is accomplished.
To take a sample of the friable material:
• A light wetting of the material using a fine
water mist prior to taking the sample will
reduce the release of asbestos fibers.
•Do not disturb the material any more than is
required to take a small sample.
• Penetrate the depth of the dampened
material with a clean sample container (35
mm film cannister or small glass or plastic
vial).
•After the sample is in Ihe container - tightly
seal it.
•Use a damp paper towel to clean up any
material on the outside of the container or
spilled onto the floor.
•Label the container - the label should contain
an identification number and clearly indicate
when and where the sample was taken.
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If You Find Asbestos In
Your Home, What
Should You Do?
HERA Vacuum
•Send the sample to a laboratory for analysis.
Laboratory analysis can be expensive, ranging
from $20 to $40 per sample. A sample should
be taken for each different appearing suspect
material. For a ceiling surface in a large room,
two samples may be required to give an
accurate determination of asbestos content.
As noted on page 10 and subsequent pages of
this booklet, asbestos may be present in many
products and materials about the home. This
normally presents no problem as long as the
asbestos is In good condition and is not disturbed
or misused. When It becomes necessary to
repair an item containing asbestos, when it is
necessary to remove asbestos-containing
material such as ceiling finish or pipe insulation,
or when something has damaged asbestos-
containing material such as pipe and boiler
insulation, a professional In the asbestos field
should be called. The professional should have
special training, such as that required by many
states for asbestos worker certification. He/she
should have special equipment, such as vacuum
machines with very fine filters. These filters are
known as "HEPA" fitters, which stands for HIGH
EFFICIENCY PARTICULATE AIR and are
designed to filter out the asbestos fibers.
(Household and shop vacuum cleaners, for
example, which are not specifically designed for
asbestos will only scatter the fibers throughout
the house, making the situation worse). Such
training and equipment are expensive and not
usually practical for homeowners.
In spite of the fact that It Is unwise to do so, the
homeowner In most localities Is not prohibited by
law from repairing or even removing the
asbestos-containing material in his/her home.
There are times when, due to accident, lack of
information, or other reasons, a homeowner
attempts to deal personally with an asbestos
problem. Therefore, the next few pages of the
booklet are dedicated to giving the homeowner as
much Information as possible to help him/her
minimize the risk of asbestos exposure in the
home.
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pairing Asbestos Pipe, furnace, and boiler insulation: when the
insulation material will move at the touch of the
hand or the cover no longer feels firm and tight,
the insulation is probably too deteriorated for
repair. For material in this condition call a
professional. Repair by the homeowner should
only be attempted, if at all, where the insulation is
firm and the cover tight, and there should be a
minimum of holes or tears in the insulation (for
example, no more than a one inch diameter
opening in four lineal feet of pipe covering).
For minor damaged areas such as this, you can
obtain commercial products designed to fill holes
and seal damaged areas in asbestos pipe
insulation. These products are available from
safety stores1, which specialize in asbestos repair
materials and safety items.
Sprayed-on asbestos-containing material on
walls and ceilings should not be disturbed in any
way by the homeowner. If the material has never
been painted, a coat of penetrating or bridging
encapsulant* can be sprayed on with an airless
sprayer to seal the surface to ensure no fibers are
released (dont use a brush or roller). Penetrating
encapsulants soak into the material and firmly
adhere It to the wall or ceiling. However, it makes
any future removal more difficult. Bridging
encapsulants are applied like paint and the
resultant skin seals the surface and does nothing
to make the sprayed on asbestos adhere better to
the wall or ceiling. A light coat of latex base paint
may be used as a bridging encapsulant and may
be used even if the material has previously had
an encapsulant applied to it. Keep in mind that
you should not build up such a thick coat that the
added weight will increase the chance that the
treated material may fall off the wall or ceiling.
' Staafcra listed in (ha yeSow pages of the telephone directory under
the heading "Safety Equipment and Clothing' are referred tointNs
booklet aa "safety stores."
* Encapsulants are materials normally applied in liquid form to
provide a seal against the release of asbestos fibers. Bridging
encapsulants such as paint and similar materials form a "skin on the
surface to contain the fibers. Penetrating encapsulants are thin liquids
which soak In and sat hard like a plastic, making a homogenous non-
viable mass.
m
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Removing Asbestos: Removal should not be attempted by the
homeowner, but left to professionals. This action
requires special equipment and detailed training
which would generally be too expensive and time-
consuming for a homeowner to acquire for a one-
time job. Removal is also the fast choice among
alternatives because It poses the most risk of
fiber release If not done properly.
Pipe Insulation
The professional asbestos contractor will
normally use glove bags for pipe insulation
removal unless a complete plastic sheeting
enclosure is necessary for some reason. (For
example, removal of a boiler Jacket In the same
room as the piping would require an enclosure in
the room and glove bags would then be
unnecessary.)
A glove bag is a heavy plastic bag measuring
approximately four feet wide by five feet deep,
with an open top and two plastic sleeves with
gloves attached to one side. In use, the top is
taped around the pipe and a HEPA vacuum used
to assure asbestos fibers do not leak out. The
worker inserts his/her arms into the sleeves and
is thus able to make repairs to the insulation while
that area of the pipe is completely sealed within
the bag. After repair is complete, (the air in the
bag is exhausted with a HEPA vacuum as ft is
unsealed from the pipe) the bag is carefully
sealed with tape as it is removed from the pips-
This prevents leakage of the air, which contains
asbestos fibers, into the room.
Sprayed-on Surfacing Material
The professional asbestos contractor will build
an enclosure of two layers of plastic on the floor
and the walls and three leaf doors of 6-mil pla^'c
for access. Some negative pressure air
machines will be used to control air flow and
insure against fibers travelling throughout the
home.
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Respirator
For All Removal Projects
The professional asbestos contractor will have
a HEPA vacuum, a negative pressure air
machine, approved respirators, disposable
clothing, and a supply of glove bags and
miscellaneous tools for the asbestos removal and
the cleaning of the room. Provision also wilt be
made for taking air samples to insure that the
area is dean after completion of the work.
Choosing a Professional
In choosing a professional to do work with
asbestos, keep in mind that most home repair or
remodelling contractors do not have certification
or certified workers nor are they equipped to work
with asbestos safely. If you hire someone who is
not qualified, not only have you potentially
subjected yourself and your family to serious
health dangers, but also there can be legal
problems because of local, state, or federal laws
regarding environmental protection and workers'
health. If the contractors do not have the right
equipment and expertise and do the work
improperly, they will spread asbestos fibers
throughout your home and the neighborhood.
They may create an asbestos hazard where none
existed or make an existing friable situation
worse. You should require references from the
contractor's former customers before you make
an agreement for removal.
In addition, find out from the Better Business
Bureau or a local environmental or worker safety
agency if they have received complaints about or
found violations of regulations by the prospective
firm. In some areas, an asbestos contractors'
association provides a referral service, which may
also be useful to you. Remember, as the owner
of the property, you are responsible for the safe
disposal at an approved landfill, even if you have
hired someone to do the work for you.
'®l®ase appears significant (for example,
Your Home 4 or 5 square feet of sprayed-on ceiling material
What Should You nn-> or 1 or 2 feet of pipe insulation), close off the
portion of the house, such as a bedroom or the
basement, in which the problem has occurred, so
that people will not be exposed. Close off air
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ducts and vents, shut windows, and tape bottoms
of doors to prevent drafts. Contact someone who
is trained in asbestos problems, such as a local
health authority or a qualified contractor.
You will probably want to have samples of dust
or debris from floors, shelves, or window sills
taken and analyzed by a laboratory. Air samples
may also be needed to define the situation; if so,
they must be taken and analyzed by a laboratory
or a contractor who has the proper training and
equipment, but the samples must be analyzed by
a laboratory. Ask for prices for this work before
selecting a laboratory to do it. Analysis of
material (bulk samples) and air samples will
provide the tnformitfion needed to decide what
further measures may be required.
When You Make Major Depending upon the amount of asbestos-
Changes In Your Home containing material present, you may be required
to notify authorities In your area before you
remodel, dismantle, or demolish your home or
part of it. They will want to know what work is
intended and your proposed method of asbestos
removal and disposal. The law also requires that
*no visible emissions" of dust are allowed during
removal, transportation, and disposal of
asbestos-containing materials.
Further and more detailed information
concerning this aspect of homeowner
responsibility is available fn the EPA "Purple
Book" as listed in the bibliography and by writing
or calling the most convenient office listed in the
back of this booklet.
Disposal Requirements All asbestos waste and the disposable clothing.
filters, equipment, and building materials which
are not to be cleaned and re-used must be
disposed of as asbestos waste. The material
must be In double 6-mil plastic bags, labelled as
asbestos, hauled to an approved asbestos landfill
In a covered vehicle, and disposed of according
EPA, stats, and local regulations. The contractor
or homeowner should contact the health
department or air pollution control agency in the
area where the asbestos removal is to take place
to determine local notification, removal, and
disposal requirements and sites.
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Place all dampened fitters,
clothe, mopheade and other
asbestos wastes Into a
transparent (6 mil) plastic bag.
Seal the bag with heavy duty
tape. Place the flrai bag Into a
second bag~
If the bags are not already pre-
printed, label the bags with a
sign:
"DANGER; CONTAINS
ASBESTOS FIBERS, AVOID
CREATING DUST, CANCER
AND LUNG DISEASE
HAZARD
The algn should be placed
between the two transparent
plastic bage.
Seal the second bag with
heavy duty tape.
Place the sealed and labeled
bags with other solid waste
material for pick-up and
delivery to an approved waste
disposal site.
Asbestos waste materials
should be disposed of
according to Federal and local
regulations.
9
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Where Asbestos Might
•• Found In Your
Home
10
A. Exterior Surfaces
Exterior walls and closed decks were
sometimes built with a fire retardant sheeting in
the form of asbestos paper. If it looks like a thick
gray cardboard, ft may contain asbestos. If left
undisturbed and In good condition, this
undersheetlng is considered safe. However, if
you are taking out a wall for expansion and
remodeling, or if you are replacing siding and
shingles, you could release many fibers in the
process of drilling, sawing, and removing. Hire
professionals for removing this paper.
Cement asbestos board (commonly referred
to as CAB) has been used in houses as sheets
for straight and lap siding and has been cut and
shaped as a substitute for wood shingles for roofs
and exterior walls. The material is hard and
brittle, normally light gray in color, was pre-drilled
for fastening, and often was factory primed and
painted. Since this material is mainly outside the
home, and the asbestos is bound in a hard
material, it presents tittle hazard, unless altered
by drilling, sawing, or sanding. When CAB
becomes worn or damaged, spray paint it to
ensure sealing in the fibers. If you must remove
CAB be very careful to wet the material and cut or
pull the nails so that damage or breakage of the
CAB is minimized.
B. Automobile - Related Materials
Brake pads and linings, clutch facings and
various gaskets often contain asbestos,
particularly in older cars. When it is time to
replace these parts, consider substituting non-
asbestos materials which are available for some
clutch facings, gaskets, and brake materials. As
asbestos clutch facing, brake shoe, and brake
pad materials wear down in normal automobile
use, asbestos-containing dust in the form of tiny
fibers is created and released to the outside
environment. Much of this material is entrapped
within the clutch space or brake housing, ready t
be released In concentrated form when repair a**0
replacement work Is done. This concentration o
fibers is especially dangerous for the home ^
(Not*: Lettered paragraph headings A. B. etc. are keyed to cent#***
lAjstitlufiJ
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mechanic who does such work without proper
safety equipment and awareness. The situation
is made worse if the work is done within an
enclosed space, such as a garage. The house
and surrounding environment can be further
contaminated ty using compressed air, or
vacuuming the brake residue with a shop or home
vacuum cleaner. Do not use compressed air or
vacuums.
Ideally, work on clutches and brakes should
only be done by professionals where specialized
vacuum and protective equipment is available and
where the mechanic is properly trained. Refer to
the EPA literature listed at the back of this
brochure for further information about this work.
C. Insulation:
Wall & Ceiling
Loose blown-in and batt insulation
infrequently have been known to contain
asbestos, especially in homes built or remodeled
between 1930 and 1950. This material was used
for thermal insulation and can be found where
interior rooms and spaces need to be protected
from outside temperatures. These areas include
outside wails and floor or roof/attic spaces
between structural joists and rafters. This
asbestos presents a hazard only if renovation and
repair work disturbs it. If you plan such a project
and find asbestos-containing materials, be sure
certified and/or qualified contractors/workers are
consulted and hired so you do not spread
asbestos fibers throughout your home and the
environment.
11
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Where Might Asbestos Be?
Exterior SurfacM
1. Daek Undantiaatlna.
3. Camart Aabaaloa Board
itntHna.
3 Roof Fa* & Snlnglat
4. Window Putty.
Siding *
JpTrv.—4
Bolter*, H—ter» > Ptptwff ____
isaaas.iHr*
iDooraCowrOaakate.
J
¦ ¦¦ "
¦^csr.'ssit
MtaU
, AutomobilM
1. Braka IMnga, Cluleh
Fadnga, & OaaMa.
[ Insulation
1. Loom Bkwm-ln F»
InaUaMon.
2. Batt IrauMon
Flooring
1. VtolAibaatoaShaata,
T*aa, I Unrfanhaatlng.
B^EquJpm^rt
I.WaMrHMan. 4.oWt«aha«-
.2. BangaHooda.
I
*,Si'S=«rS£.'»S3
Toaatara,
SIrofe«8tonal help lo properly re
Miscellaneous
1. Cal Bo« Aog«a®at»
(Sand o» way)
2. Pkaplaea Log*.
3-AabartoaHotPj^
4 Aabafto* Glove*
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D. Floor Coverings
Sheet vinyl (Including the backing or
underlayment), vinyl tile, and vinyl adhesive may
all contain asbestos. In these products, asbestos
fibers were added to the basic materials to give
them strength and durability. TTiese products are
considered safe unless the flooring is altered or
damaged. Damage could occur as a result of
prolonged or excessive abrasion. Breaking,
sawing, cutting, grinding, and sanding will release
asbestos fibers into the environment. When
replacement or repair becomes necessary, these
flooring products should be handled as little as
possible and disposed of In an approved manner3.
Be sure not to power grind or sand down the
flooring, the remaining adhesive or adhesive
backing.
If you need to replace floor covering,
sometimes the best solution is to lay the new floor
directly over the old one. However, you should
keep in mind that this asbestos-containing
material remains in your house, and must
eventually be dealt with if and when you remodel
or demolish. Notifying future buyers of its hidden
existence may be required in your locality.
E. Furnaces, Boilers, Heaters, & Piping
Insulation blankets (the outside covering or
shell), door gaskets, duct insulation, and tape at
duct connections of furnaces and boilers all may
contain asbestos. It was used as the best
material available, during its time, as high-
temperature insulation. Oil, coal, or wood
furnaces with asbestos-containing insulation and
cement are generally found in older homes, its
installation dating between 1920 and 1972. The
material is white or grey in color and resembles
the plaster used In casts to protect broken bones.
If your furnace insulation is in good condition, it is
best to leave it alone and keep maintaining it in
good condition. If the insulation is in poor
condition (friable), or pieces are breaking off or it
has been subject to water damage, you should
j
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AsbMta*
Ibw
MatorTrtvtts
AlbMlM
Door
Qaatot
or
*•**•»<>. Millboard
have it repaired or removed entirely. You may
want to have the entire furnace replaced by a
more modern efficient model. You should first
find out if the insulation actually contains
asbestos by sampling and analysis. While the
insulation is in poor condition and awaiting repair
or removal, children should be prevented from
playing in or near the space to protect them and
prevent further insulation damage.
Steam and hot water pipes were insulated
with asbestos-containing material, particularly at
elbows, tees, and valves. Its appearance is
similar to that found on boilers. Pipes may also
be wrapped in an asbestos "blanket", or asbestos
paper (which looks very much like corrugated
cardboard). Asbestos-containing insulation has
also been used on and inside round and
rectangular furnace ducts. Sometimes the duct
itself may be made of asbestos-containing
materials.
If you have moderately damaged insulation
around pipes or boilers, the best current
recommendation is to leave the insulation in place
and have the protective covering repaired.
Asbestos-containing cement sheets (CAB),
millboard, and paper have been used frequently
as thermal insulation to protect the floor and walls
around wood burning stoves. Again, there is no
hazard if left as is, if it is in good condition.
F. Interior Surfaces:
Walls and Ceilings
Sprayed-on or trowelled-on surface material
on wall arid ceiling surfaces of some homes may
be composed of asbestos-containing materials. If
the surface material is firmly attached, has a hard
surface, and has no water damage, it should not
be hazardous. If the surface can produce powder
or dust by hand pressure, it is advisable to seek
professional advice before deciding what further
course of action to take. You may choose to
send a sample to a lab for analysis; and for this
option you should follow sampling guidance
described on pages 3 and 4.
15
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You should not try to do either repair or
removal of this material yourself. There's too
much danger you will expose yourself and your
family to heavy concentrations of asbestos fibers.
Contact a contractor whose workers are
specifically trained to remove this type of material
without contaminating people or the environment.
G. Electrical Equipment
Materials in older lamp socket collars, electric
switch and receptacle boxes, liners for recessed
lighting, backing for switchboard panels, fuse
boxes, and old-fashioned "knob & tube" wiring
have all, at times, been found to contain
asbestos. Normal use of these items should not
pose a hazard. Replacement products in these
categories do not contain asbestos. Dispose of
these items, when they are replaced, in an
approved manner.9
H. Built-in Equipment
Oven & dishwasher (in cabinet) units were
often wrapped in asbestos-containing insulation
blankets or sheets until the mid-1970s.
Homeowners should not disturb these materials
since they do not pose a hazard if left in place.
Removal or repair should be done by
professionals, and the materials or the entire unit
should be discarded in an approved manner.3
I. Appliances
Portable dishwashers, toasters, clothes
driers, popcorn poppers, broilers, electric
blankets, slow cookers, and similar small
appliances all have had parts made with
asbestos-containing materials, which could give
off fibers when the appliance is being
disassembled for repair. The use of asbestos in
these appliances is declining and newer items
may have none. Consider discarding these items
in an approved manner3 instead of repairing them.
Some older hair driers and portable heaters,
where the coil-wrapping and insulation contain
-------
asbestos, may still be In use. These driers and
heaters should be discarded. Manufacturers
voluntarily recalled hair driers containing asbestos
in 1979, since laboratory tests of these hair driers
showed that asbestos fibers were being released
during their use. Some older models of freezers
and water heaters may have asbestos in the
insulating blanket within the metal cover. These
should not pose a hazard in normal use. Discard
in an approved manner.3 In general, when
asbestos is used in appliances, It is in parts which
will probably not result in the release of asbestos
fibers during use, with the exception of hair driers
and portable heaters where air currents pass over
the material. It is unlikely that other asbestos
components in these appliances present a
significant health risk, unless dismantled.
J. Miscellaneous
Older gas-fired decorative fireplace logs and
artificial ashes may have a considerable amount
of asbestos fibers and, if disposed of, should be
handled in the same manner as other asbestos
materials. Asbestos-containing gloves, stove-top
trivets, and pads that are still being used should
also be discarded.
rvjulfmmmkxpmfmdipoM/ofmaberioicontakiingiTm!**!'™
product«. J7
-------
Points to Remember Asbestos is only dangerous when it's
deteriorated to the point where its tiny fibers can
be released into the air and inhaled. If the
material is solid {in appearance and to touch) and
maintained in good condition, it presents no
problem.
If the asbestos-containing material in your
home has become deteriorated for some reason,
there's a good chance you can solve the problem
without removal. Removal is generally the last
resort, because it involves disturbing the material
and sending more fibers into the air.
Asbestos and
Smoking: A Special
Word ofCaution
One of the most Important facts we have
learned about
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Whore to Call or Write Colorado
For Information In Your
State Colorado Department of Health
Asbestos Program
Air Pollution Control Division
4300 Cherry Creek Dr. South
Denver, Colorado 80222-1530
(303) 692-3179
Montana
Montana Department of Health
& Environmental Sciences
Occupational and Radiological Health Bureau
Cogswell Building
Helena, Montana 59620
(406) 444-3671
North Dakota
State Department of Health
& Consolidated Laboratories
Division of Environmental Engineering
1200 Missouri Avenue
Box 5520
Bismark, North Dakota 58502-5520
(701) 224-2348
1'
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Where to Call or Write South Dakota
For Information In Your
State Office o! Waste Management
Division of Environmental Regulations
Joe Foss Building
523 East Capitol Street
Pierre, South Dakota 57501*3181
(605) 773-5315
Utah
Utah Department of Health
Bureau of Air Quality
168 North 1950 West North Temple
P.O. Box 144820
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4820
(801) 538-4000
Wyoming
Department of Environmental Quality
Air Quality Division
Herschler Building
122 West 25th Street
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
(307) 777-7584
20
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