Asbestos in the Home: Where to Look

Asbestos in the Home: Where to Look

We all know that asbestos in the home is dangerous. Inhaling its fibers can lead to asbestosis as well as several types of cancer. But because asbestos is resistant to heat, flexible, and durable, it has been used in many building materials before it was banned and regulated in the 1970’s onwards. This is why a responsible homeowner should ask: where can I find asbestos in the house and how can this become a danger to my family’s health? The following are four major places where asbestos is likely to be found.

Vinyl floor tiles

Does your house have vinyl old tiles used as flooring? There are some old types of vinyl tiles that are contaminated with asbestos. The danger is lessened if the tiles are not friable – meaning if the material does not easily crumble or is easily pulverized with simple pressure. However time and the elements will eventually make it friable. When a vinyl tile that contains 1 percent asbestos or greater becomes friable the danger becomes real and it may release airborne micro fibers.

Siding shingles and roofing

It may seem unlikely that shingles for your roof can contain asbestos. However, because people wanted tiles that provided complete protection from the elements and especially the intense heat of the midday sun, someone thought of mixing in asbestos in as part of the ingredient of some roof tiles. Another reason was that a roof is one part of a house that has been known to catch fire. The most common kind of asbestos one would likely find when testing for roof shingles is chrysotile asbestos.

Insulation material for attics

If your attic insulation is made of mineral wool then you might be safe from asbestos. There have been some cases when mineral wool has been mixed together with asbestos for insulation purposes but chances are that these will not be used for homes. However what you have to watch out for is if your attic insulation has vermiculite made up of grains that may contain asbestos.

Insulation material for walls

Insulation materials used for attics may sometimes also be used as insulation for some walls. Thus once again, for those houses that use mineral wool, there is no need to worry while those who see vermiculite behind the wall structure should have samples tested out.

The general rule is if your house has been made in 1985 or earlier then there is a chance that some of the materials used to build it contains asbestos. Take the necessary measures to eliminate this from your house.