Asbestos has been widely used since the late 1800’s because it is heat and fire resistant. It is very versatile and has been used in many applications across numerous industries. Were it not for its devastating effects on the human body, new applications for asbestos would probably be introduced every day. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure causes asbestosis andmesothelioma, leading to a slow, excruciating death. For this reason the use of asbestos in new construction and most new products was banned in the 1980’s in the United States, but older buildings, products manufactured before the ban, and new products manufactured in some countries still contain the deadly substance.
It is estimated that asbestos has been used in over 3,000, or possibly over 5,000, products. At home you may be exposed to asbestos in building materials, common household items, small appliances, and auto parts. At work you are at an elevated risk of asbestos exposure if you work in any of the following industries or environments:
- Mining
- Oil refineries
- Shipyards
- Steel mills
- Power plants
- Rail roads
- Automotive manufacturing and repair
- Appliance manufacturing
- Construction
- Remodeling
- Demolition
- Asbestos manufacturing
- Asbestos removal
Construction and building materials which may be in your home, school, or workplace containing asbestos include:
- Acoustic/soundproofing material
- Acoustical panels
- Acoustical plaster
- Acoustical tile
- Adhesive material
- Asphalt flooring
- Attic insulation
- Blown-in insulation
- Boiler Insulation
- Boiler wall coat
- Bonding cement
- Cables
- Calcium silicate insulation
- Caulking material
- Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
- Cement pipes
- Cement siding
- Cement wallboard
- Ceramic tile
- Construction mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
- Decorative Plaster
- Electric ducts
- Electric wire insulation
- Electrical Cloth
- Electrical Panel Partitions
- Elevator Brake Shoes
- Elevator Equipment Panels
- Fire Doors
- Firebrick
- Flexible duct connectors
- Flooring
- Flooring Backing
- Furnace cement
- Heating ducts
- HVAC Duct Insulation
- Joint compounds
- Masonry fill
- Paint
- Pipe insulation
- Roofing Felt
- Sheetrock
- Shingles
- Spackling products
- Spray-on insulation
- Textured Paints/Coatings
- Tile Ductwork
- Vinyl Floor
- Vinyl wall coverings
Household items and appliances you may own or use which can contain asbestos include:
- Chalkboards
- Cigarette filters
- Cork board
- Fake snow
- Generators
- Hair dryer
- Ironing board
- Oven mitts
- Packing material
- Potting soil
- Rope
- Table tops
- Talc powder
- Tape
- Textiles
- Toaster
- Welding rods
- Yarn
Auto parts which can contain asbestos include:
- Automobile hood liners
- Brake pads
- Clutches
- Gaskets
Some of the commercial applications of asbestos include fire blankets, fire suits, and laboratory gloves.
Of course, it would be impossible to list all of the products containing asbestos here. If you suspect that your home is infested with the deadly substance, you should not attempt to remove it without professional help or supervision. Likewise, if you own appliances which may contain asbestos, do not take them apart. Asbestos poses its greatest hazard when it is released into the air. So, if you live in an older home, you may not become exposed until you try to remodel.
If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or asbestosis, contact an experienced asbestos exposure attorney today.
