Asbestos

Asbestos. In 1973 the United States alone was using 803,000 metric tons of asbestos. At that point building and construction industries were using it for strengthening cements and plastics. They were also using it for  insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. Automobile makers used it in  vehicle brake shoes and clutch pads.  Ship builders were using it to insulate boilers, steam pipes, and hot water pipes. It could be found in paints, adhesives, ceiling and floor tiles, plastics, gardening products and even in crayons. (Talc contains high levels of asbestos and was a main ingredient in crayon making for many years.)

Different movements over the last 35 years have worked together to bring that amount down to about 2,400 metric tons in annual use, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still everywhere. Until the late 70's it was used in fireplace wallboarding. Until ‘79 it was used in a lot of hair dryers. In ‘89 new uses were banned, but every thing that I listed in the last paragraph was still allowed.

In the year 2000, the United States government asked the leading crayon companies to discontinue their use of talc in their crayon making, as 32 out of 40 crayons tested showed higher than trace amounts of asbestos. That same year the UK put a ban on all use of asbestos in building materials.

Why is it a big deal?  Because 4000 people a year die of diseases caused by inhalation of damaged asbestos fibers. Those diseases include asbestosis, mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancers and diffuse pleural thickening. Also, according the the Health and Safety Executive of the UK: “Current evidence suggests that asbestos can also cause laryngeal cancer and may be implicated in causing pharyngeal, stomach and colorectal cancers.”

What can be done? Extensive inspections (also known as asbestos surveys)  can uncover any and all areas and items in your home that contain asbestos, and a simple refurb can protect you and your family from many very unpleasant diseases. It’s worth it.