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Older Michigan Homes And Asbestos

By
Home Inspector with Diadem Property Inspections - Serving Southeast Michigan

Older Michigan Homes and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.

Due to health concerns, most products manufactured nowadays do not contain asbestos... but it hasn't been banned --  some products do still contain it, although they are subject to strict labelling requirements.

However, until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos, such as:

  • steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape
  • resilient floor tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt and rubber), the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and adhesives used for installing floor tile
  • cement sheet, millboard and paper used as insulation around furnaces and wood-burning stoves.
  • door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves and coal stoves
  • patching and joint compounds for walls and ceilings, and textured paints
  • asbestos cement roofing, shingles and siding
  • artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces, and other older household products, such as fireproof gloves, stove-top pads, ironing board covers and certain hairdryers
  • automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings and gaskets.

 

Health Problems

We know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of two major health problems:

  1. mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity
  2. asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue

The risks are much greater for smokers.

People who develop asbestosis have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time... the symptoms do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos, as most of us are in normal living, do not develop these health problems.

 

What If Asbestos Is In My Home?

Don't panic if you think asbestos may be in your home. Oftentimes, the best thing to do is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone, since material in good condition will generally not release asbestos fibers.

There is no danger unless the asbestos is disturbed and fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs.

So if you have materials that contain asbestos in the home or workplace, check the material regularly.

Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage, such as tears, abrasions or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibers. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.

If you suspect a problem, or if you have asbestos in your house and will be remodeling, contact a licensed asbestos professional.

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Jason Channell     Twitter - Home Inspection LinkedIn Twitter - Home Inspection

Diadem Property Inspections
(888) 699-8710

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Michigan Builder's License 2101198700
Environmental Solutions Association 3818 -- Certified Mold Inspector & Assessor, Certified Allergen Inspector
International Indoor Air Quality Commission CC1983 --  Indoor Environmental Certified Consultant

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