According to the EPA, "Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber, once widely used in building materials and products for its thermal insulating properties and fire resistance. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. These materials may become hazardous and pose increased risk if they are damaged, are disturbed in some manner, or deteriorate over time and release asbestos fibers into building air."

A number of building materials in use today contain asbestos. Because of it's outstanding insulation and heat resistant properties, it was heavily used in the past 1800's and early 1900's, such as to insulate hotwater and steam pipes in homes and buildings and as a fire barrier.  In newer buildings, I rarely, if ever, encounter it in situations that are environmentally hazardous.  However, in older buildings, epecially institutions and apartment buildings that have never been updated or rehabbed, you will still encounter asbestos that is considered environmentally hazardous and must be removed following state and federal guidelines.

If you have or encounter a building that contains asbestos, it is important that you get it inspected to see if it poses a health risk.  Based upon those results, you will be required to promptly remediate the problem following strice federal guidelines for handling and disposing of asbestos material.

For a good reference source about asbestos in buildings, schools and products, the EPA's Asbestos page is a good place to start.  There you will find online information and downloadable publications.

Additional informational resources online:
Wikipedia: Asbestos
NIOSH: Asbestos
Asbestos Removal Procedures
Asbestos Danger: Do You Have Zonolite In Your Attic
A Guide To Asbestos In The Home (PDF)

NJDEP: Guidance Document for the Management of Asbestos-containing Material (ACM)  

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.