Oftentimes, people assume that the government has already banned asbestos. This assumption leads them to believe that the possibility of asbestos exposure is not something with which they should be concerned. Unfortunately, that is not the case. While the US Environmental Protection Agency did present a ban of asbestos in 1989, the proposition was eventually overturned at the judicial level.
While asbestos use is not currently banned, it is regulated. Certain products such as spray-on insulation, flooring felt, and commercial paper are not permitted to be made up of asbestos-containing materials. However, a wide range of products are legally allowed to contain asbestos - the majority of which are materials for purposes related to building construction. This means that many of the spaces in which people spend time contain materials that could be potentially harmful. The following types of buildings have been noted to be potential hiding places of asbestos-containing materials.
Churches
Materials containing asbestos tend to be used for purposes such as soundproofing or fire prevention. Because of this, churches have historically used asbestos-containing materials in the construction of their buildings. Panels containing asbestos were placed on walls and ceilings to reduce reverberation levels. Asbestos was also used for insulation purposes pipes and boilers. Church maintenance workers tend to be at the highest risk of asbestos exposure. However, anyone, who works in the building or attends church there may be at risk of exposure.
Schools
Materials containing asbestos are often found in pipe and boiler insulation, HVAC ductwork, vinyl flooring, and ceiling tiles. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was enacted in response to major issues with a high presence of asbestos-containing materials in schools. Under this act, schools are required to undergo an inspection of the entire building with the goal of locating any and all asbestos-containing materials. They are also required to create plans for managing any asbestos found and to take any necessary measures for preventing and reducing exposure to asbestos. While AHERA has greatly reduced the amount of asbestos in school buildings, unfortunately, there are still buildings containing asbestos-based materials.
Public buildings
Many public buildings built before 1980 contain asbestos-based construction materials. These include buildings such as theaters, restaurants, police stations, government buildings, pharmacies, grocery stores, shopping malls, hair salons, and airports. While asbestos use in public buildings has slightly decreased since this time, newly constructed buildings sometimes contain asbestos-based materials such as vinyl tiles, cement piping, and roofing materials.
However, legally public buildings are not permitted to be open for public use when they contain asbestos. Under federal law, building owners must eliminate all asbestos-containing materials when they are found. Penalties include fines and even potential jail time.
Hospitals
Because asbestos has fireproofing qualities, it was often used in the construction of hospitals or to protect medical devices from overheating. Because of this hospital workers may be at risk for asbestos exposure. This is particularly true for maintenance and construction workers.
Your Own Home
While it is a common assumption that asbestos is only found in older homes, this is simply not true. Asbestos-containing materials can be found in new homes as well. In older homes, asbestos is typically found in the following places:
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Attic insulation
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Putties and materials used for caulking
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Electrical panels
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Plaster
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Plumbing fixtures
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Insulation for boilers or fireplaces
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Popcorn Ceilings
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Vinyl floor tiles
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Drywall and cement sheeting
In new homes asbestos may be found in:
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Cement shingles
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Pipeline wrap and millboard
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Sheets and Pipes
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Flooring and roofing materials
It is very important that if you suspect your home has asbestos-containing materials that you do not make any attempt to remove the asbestos yourself. Asbestos should never be disturbed, as that is what leads to exposure and the issues that come along with exposure. If you suspect that your home contains asbestos, you should contact an expert regarding safe identification and potential removal of the materials.
Conclusion
Exposure to asbestos can lead to long-term negative health effects, including potentially fatal diseases. If you have been exposed to asbestos and you have developed a disease such as Stage Four mesothelioma https://asbestoscancer.org/stage-four-mesothelioma/ or asbestosis https://asbestoscancer.org/asbestos-cancer/, the Asbestos Cancer Organization can help you.
For more information: https://asbestoscancer.org/stage-four-mesothelioma/
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