Mesothelioma

Asbestos Facts

Asbestos fibers may enter the body through inhalation (breathing) or ingestion (eating, drinking). The following facts describe the dangers of asbestos materials:

• Areas where asbestos will be disturbed must have warning signs posted to restrict access, must be contained or enclosed with barriers, and have decontamination facilities.
• It is not known what amounts of asbestos are hazardous over what periods of time.
• Exposure to asbestos in combination with cigarette smoking increases an individual's lung cancer risk nearly 60 times.
• Diseases which have been attributed to asbestos exposure include asbestosis, mesothelioma and gastrointestinal cancers.
• Asbestos has been widely used for decades as an insulator or fire retardant in many ships and buildings. These asbestos fibers are especially dangerous to people who work with it and inhale high concentrations of the substance.

Fortunately, today there are very few products sold that contain asbestos. According to the National Safety Council, a ban by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) prohibits several asbestos products from entering the market, while many manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to limit the use of others. Today, any products that still contain asbestos are required to be clearly labeled.

However, there are many types of building products and insulation materials inside buildings that were constructed before the 1970s that still contain asbestos. These products are the reason we hear of dangerous asbestos discoveries that require the immediate evacuation of older schools, construction sites, and other buildings in the news today. These incidents normally arise from the discovery of asbestos containing products such as : pipe and furnace insulation materials; asbestos and cement shingles, siding, and roofing; millboard; resilient floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and floor tile adhesives; soundproofing or decorative material; patching and joint compound; fireproof gloves, blankets, curtains and stove-top pads; spackling compounds; and automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets.