Before You Renovate, Home In On Asbestos

Home renovation projects are a wonderful way to increase property values and enhance your family's lifestyle. Many renovations can be done without experienced professionals, but before you "break a few eggs" in that older house, be sure to learn about the danger of asbestos exposure.

An easy way to "home in" on the subject is to peruse "Renovating? What You Need to Know About Asbestos Before You Do," the informative Q&A we found posted at babble.com.

Babble.com was asked this question: We’re renovating an older house and trying to do most, if not all, of the work ourselves. What is the deal with asbestos? I know it is something bad linked to lung cancer. How do I know if it is there and if it is safe for my kids to live in this house?

Here are the highlights of babble.com's informative response:

• First, some background. Asbestos is a heat-resistant mineral and, as such, may be found in caulking compounds, cement board, furnaces, insulation, residential roofing and siding, vinyl floor tiles and wall patching.


• Historically, different uses of asbestos were banned at different times. Hence, unlike lead paint, there is no single cut-off date after which safety may be assumed. As one example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says floor tiles installed after 1980 aren't likely to contain asbestos.

• Asbestos continues to be legally used in cement board, pipe wraps, vinyl tile and roof coatings. Therefor, any demolition work can potentially disturb asbestos and expose your family to danger.

• Asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, can take decades to develop. Children are especially susceptible to asbestos exposure risks because of their age and the possibility that less-developed lungs may accumulate a greater amount of the substance. 


• Many of the toxicological concerns over asbestos are chronic, meaning that they develop over time from repeated exposures.

• One cost-effective consideration is that when left alone, asbestos is a negligible hazard, as long as the containing material is stable and not shown to be chipping, flaking or crumbling.

• Unfortunately, most applications don't involve labeling, so it is necessary to have materials tested by qualified professionals before you begin ripping up that kitchen linoleum. (One consideration may be to install new flooring over the old, rather than ripping it up.)

• It is important to understand the regulations that cover asbestos-containing materials, for your own safety and the safety of others, to make sure that they are disposed of properly.


• One common culprit in harboring asbestos is old insulation made from vermiculite, a crumbly mineral that looks a bit like tiny wood pellets or pebbles. This insulation is easy to identify with a simple Google image search. If you’ve got it, and your project will disturb it, call in an expert!

• In addition to insulation, the babble.com post includes a helpful list of some other common "hiding places" of asbestos:

- Vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring

- Acoustical ceiling tile

- Roofing and cement siding or shingles

- Textured paints and “popcorn” walls

- Vinyl wallpaper

- Wall and joint patching compound

- Caulking

- Cement board or sheets around wood stoves and other high-heat appliances

- Hot water and steam pipe insulation

- Furnace door gaskets and fireproofing

- Fuse boxes

Read the full babble.com post here.



The post also mentions a new e-book, Easy Steps to Healthy Home Improvement, which is available for download here. 


Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.