What is Asbestos?

4/26/2018 (Permalink)

What is Asbestos?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that Asbestos is a mineral that is mined from the earth. It has natural properties that make it an excellent and inexpensive fire retardant. As such, it was added to many building products to make them perform better with peak use between the 1940s through the 1970s. Common building materials that contain asbestos include but are not limited to:

• Vermiculite insulation
• 9”x9” floor tiles
• Acoustic ceiling tiles
• White tape on heating ducts
• Insulation on boiler pipes and boilers
• Old asbestos cement siding
• Popcorn ceiling texture
• Glues used under flooring

Why is Asbestos Bad?

Asbestos is bad for human health when the tiny abrasive fibers are inhaled into the lungs where they can damage the lung tissue. This seems to be exacerbated by cigarette smoking and the resulting diseases are mesothelioma and lung cancer.

In general, if you are buying a house older than 1980, you can assume it probably contains at least some asbestos.