Identifying Asbestos Products

Although the identification of asbestos products can only be 100% accurate if the materials are sent to a lab where a trained technician can look at its microscopic fibers, there are a number of clues you can use to give yourself a fairly good idea if asbestos is present. By far the biggest clue is the age of the material in question. Products made during a particular time period that would have had asbestos in them are almost certain to contain it. Other than that, being familiar with the materials that historically contained asbestos helps with identification as well.

Asbestos Dangers

Asbestos that has become airborne is dangerous when inhaled. Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that can develop in people who have had heavy asbestos exposure in their life. Although exposure to asbestos fibers is harmful, especially in the long term, it should not be a worry that weighs heavily on your mind. Some materials that contain asbestos are more problematic than others. Some, indeed, are harmless provided they are left intact. It must be remembered that for people growing up in the mid-20th century, standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street would be considered hazardous by today's standards. This is because brake pads had asbestos fibers in them. Every time a car stopped, microscopic particles entered the air. In this state, asbestos is dangerous. Even though it was outdoors and the parts-per-million ratio was extremely small, it was still far more toxic than some solid forms of asbestos found today. 

Asbestos Materials

Since the mid 1980s, there has been a concentrated effort to remove asbestos entirely from industrial production. Regardless, old materials can still be found in buildings and homes, and asbestos is still used in some materials, although it must clearly indicate that on the package. Brake pads and linings and certain other car parts still have asbestos as an ingredient. Some roofing materials like asphalt shingles, roofing felt, flashing and adhesives may contain it. High temperature adhesives, caulks, tape and solid materials contained asbestos due to its ability to withstand fires. Other materials such as pipe, vinyl flooring and ceiling tiles and certain textured plaster were made with asbestos. Anything used in the construction of homes and buildings since the mid-1980s cannot contain asbestos. Materials used elsewhere still may contain it, but it must be labeled. 

How to Identify Asbestos

In the home, without sending the material to a lab, you can only guess if asbestos is present. Age is the number one indicator. If your home was built between the early 20th century and the early 1980s and you know it has never been renovated, chances are asbestos can be found somewhere in your home. Asbestos in asphalt shingles is almost harmless as it contains only a small amount. Solid flooring or tile with asbestos is safely contained as well. Asbestos cement that can crack or chip and emit dust can be problematic, as can crumbly popcorn-like asbestos wall texturing. 

If you have asbestos materials in the home that could be dangerous, professional asbestos removal services are highly recommended. The process of removing it involves skill and attention to safety and detail, as well as room isolation. It can be done on your own, but it is not advisable.