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ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY

Aerobiology Associations
AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR FILTERS, OPTIMUM INDOOR
AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR
Air Quality Improvement Strategies
AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
AIRBORNE PARTICLE ANALYSIS METHODS
AIRBORNE MOLD SPORE COUNT ACCURACY

ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
ANIMAL ALLERGENS / PET DANDER
ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in BUILDINGS
ANIMAL ODORS IN BUILDINGS

ASBESTOS CLEANUP COMPANIES
ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST
ASBESTOS CLEANUP COMPANIES
ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
  ASBESTOS AIR DUCTS
  Asbestos Air Duct Vibration Dampers
  ASBESTOS in CARPETING, PADDING
  ASBESTOS CEILING TILES, Asbestos-Containing
  ASBESTOS DUCTS, HVAC
  ASBESTOS DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
  ASBESTOS DUCTS, Transite Pipe
  ASBESTOS FIREPROOFING SPRAY-On Coatings
  ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION
    Asbestos Floor Tile Laboratory Photos
    Asbestos Flooring Hazard Level of Risk
    Asbestos-containing Flooring
    Asbestos-containing Sheet Flooring
    How to Identify Asbestos Flooring
    Non-Asbestos Sheet Flooring
    Other Asbestos Floor Tiles
    Photos of Asbestos Flooring
    Unknown-brand 9x9 Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Tiles
    Unknown-brand 12x12 Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Tiles
    Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile Dimensions
    Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile Disposal
    Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile Packaging
  ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE LAB PROCEDURES
  ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE PHOTO ID GUIDE
    FLOOR TILE HISTORY 1900-1986
    Armstrong Floor Tiles
    Congoleum-Nairn Floor Tiles, Linoleum
    Ever-Wear Floor Tiles
    Kentile KenFlex Floor Tiles
    Montgomery Ward Floor Tiles
    Sears Roebuck Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles
    Self-Adhesive Stick-on Tiles, Asbestos
    Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Tile Photos
    Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile Usage Guide
  Asbestos Foamed-Over
  ASBESTOS INSULATION
  ASBESTOS PAPER DUCT INSULATION
  ASBESTOS PIPE INSULATION
  ASBESTOS ROOFING, CEMENT & FIBER CEMENT
    Asphalt-asbestos Roofing Materials
    ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST
    Cement-asbestos roof shingles
    Corrugated Cement-Asbestos Roofing
    Environmental Issues - Asbestos Roofing/Siding
    Maintenance Tips for Asbestos Cement Shingles
    OSHA Regulations, Asbestos Roofing, Siding
    Power Washing Asbestos Roofing
    Replacements for Asbestos Cement Shingles
    Roof Paint, Asphalt-asbestos sealants
    Warranty & Class Actions, Fiber Cement Shingles
    Wear Signs on Cement Asbestos Shingles
  ASBESTOS SIDING CEMENT & FIBER CEMENT
    Asbestos vs. fiber-cement
    ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST
    Maintenance & Repair Asbestos Cement Shingles
    OSHA Regulations, Asbestos Roofing, Siding
    Painting Cement Asbestos Siding
    Remove & Replace Asbestos Cement Shingles
    Re-Sale Issues - Cement Asbestos siding
    Siding over asbestos cement
    Sources of Replacements for Asbestos Cement Shingles
    Tools to Cut Fiber Cement Shingles
    Wear signs on cement asbestos walls
  ASBESTOS in UNUSUAL PLACES
  ASPHALT-ASBESTOS PAINT / SEALANT
  TRANSITE PIPE AIR DUCTS
  TRANSITE PIPE CHIMNEYS / FLUES
  TRANSITE PIPE WATER SUPPLY
  VERMICULITE INSULATION
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
  Asbestos flooring health risks
  Friable Asbestos in Asbestos Floors
  Covering Asbestos Floor Tiles
  Disposing of Asbestos Flooring
  School Building Asbestos Flooring
  Managing Asbestos in Place
ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
  Floor Tile Removal Necessary?
  Removing Asbestos Flooring: Details
ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS
ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS
ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS Update
ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS, OSHA
ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to Materials
ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Amateur, Incomplete
Asbestos Removal, Certification
ASBESTOS REMOVAL GUIDE, FLOORING
ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Wetting Guidelines
ASBESTOS RISK ASSESSMENT
  Asbestos risk: in Good Condition
  Asbestos risk: in Poor Condition
Asbestos Under the Microscope

ATTORNEYS and EXPERT WITNESSES

BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT
BASEMENT MOLD
BATHROOM MOLD
BIBLIOGAPHY for ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, MOLD, IAQ
BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
Bisphenol-A, BPA
BLACK MOLD, HARMLESS COSMETIC
BLACK MOLD, TOXIC & ALLERGENIC
BLEACHING MOLD, Advice about
BOOK MOLD, Moldy Book Cleaning
BOOKSTORE - ENVIRONMENTAL
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

CACTUS FUNGI / MOLD
Cadmium in the home
CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARBON DIOXIDE - CO2
CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
Carbon Nanotube Hazards
CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION
CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION
CARPET TEST PROCEDURE
CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CAT DANDER in BUILDINGS
Cell phone Radiation Hazards
CERAMIC TILE, ASBESTOS in?
CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER
COALSTOVE SAFETY
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
CPSC Indoor Air Pollution Book Online Copy

DIRECTORY of MOLD / ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS
DIRECTORY of OIL TANK EXPERTS
DIRT FLOOR MOLD CONTAMINATION
Disinfectants
Disinfecting Buildings with Bleach
DRYWALL MOLD
DRAFT HOODS - gas fired
DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES
DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS
DRINKING WATER
Diethylstilbestrol - DES
DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
DUST ANALYSIS for FIBERGLASS
DUST SAMPLING PROCEDURE

EMERGENCY RESPONSE, IAQ, GAS, MOLD
EMF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS & HUMAN EXPOSURE
EMF Levels of Cancer Risk
EMF MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES
ENVIRO-SCARE - PUBLIC FEAR CYCLES

FEAR of MOLD - MYCOPHOBIA
Fiberboard Insulation Sheathing Mold
Fiberglass Enviro-Scare
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIBERGLASS PARTICLE CONTAMINATION TEST
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD
FIBERGLASS PARTICLE CONTAMINATION TEST
FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE
Fireplace Inserts
Fireplaces & Woodstove Contaminants
FLAME COLOR, BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS
FLOOR & SUBFLOOR MOLD, HIDDEN
FLOOR TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION
FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS
FORMALDEHYDE HAZARDS
FORMALDEHYDE HAZARDS
FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE

GAS DETECTION & MEASUREMENT
GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC
GAS EXPOSURE LIMITS & STANDARDS
GAS TEST PROCEDURES
GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS
GAS TEST PROCEDURES
GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS
GLARE, Sunlight/Lighting Control

HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
HEATING OIL PIPING TROUBLES
HEATING OIL SLUDGE
HEATING OIL TANKS
HOUSE DUST ANALYSIS
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HIDDEN MOLD, HOW TO FIND
HOME HEATING SAFETY
HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS
HVAC Systems

INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION, ASBESTOS
INSULATION MOLD
INSULATION, UFFI UREA FORMALDEHYDE FOAM

LAB & FIELD IAQ EQUIPMENT SOP
LAB PROCEDURES MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUES
LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
LEAD CONTAMINATION in WATER, HOW to TEST
LEAD EXPOSURE HAZARDS INDOORS
LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, HOW to REDUCE
LEAD PAINT REMOVAL ALTERNATIVES
LEAD PIPES in BUILDINGS
LEAD in ROOFING, EFFECTS
LEAD TEST KIT for HOME USE
LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LEED Building Designation & IAQ
Legionella Legionnaires' Disease
Legionella BACTERIA & HVAC Equipment
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
LP & Natural Gas Safety Hazards

METHANE GAS SOURCES
MEDIA BLASTING for MOLD REMOVAL
METHANE GAS SOURCES
MICROSCOPE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
MILDEW in BUILDINGS ?
MILDEW ERRORS - MOLD PHOTOS
MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS

MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD CLEANERS - WHAT TO USE
MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
MOLD CONSULTANTS/INSPECTORS
MOLD CULTURE TEST KIT VALIDITY
MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE
MOLD or INDOOR AIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE
MOLD FAQ's
MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS
MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE
MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE
MOLD SAFETY WARNINGS
MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS
MOLD STANDARDS
MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS
MOLD TESTING METHOD VALIDITY

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
Museum Artifact Preservation
MYCOPHOBIA, STAINS MISTAKEN for MOLD
MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE

Nanomaterials Hazards
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
OIL, HEATING, EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
OIL HEAT ODORS
OIL SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION
OIL TANK LEAK ODORS
OIL TANKS INSPECT LEAK TEST ABANDON REGS
OXYGEN - O2
OZONE HAZARDS
OZONE for MOLD OR ODORS

PAINTS & COATINGS ODORS IN BUILDINGS
PARTICLE SIZES & IAQ
Particulates & Allergens Indoors
Pesticide Exposure Hazards
PET ALLERGEN REMEDIES
Pet Dander
PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
PLASTIC HEATER VENT
PLASTIC ODORS-SCREENS, SIDING
PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS
Pollen Photos
PVC - VINYL BUILDING PRODUCTS

RADON HAZARD TESTS & MITIGATION
Radon Enviro-Scare
ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES

SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR
SEPTIC METHANE GAS
SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in BUILDINGS
SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE
SEWAGE PUMPS
SEWER GAS ODORS
SICK HOUSE IAQ QUESTIONNAIRE
SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT
SIDING VINYL
SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors
SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES

THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss

UFFI UREA FORMALDEHYDE FOAM INSULATION
URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP
VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO
VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings
Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs

WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE
WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER TEST CHOICES & WATER TEST FEES
WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES
Well Pollution
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
World Trade Center Collapse Dust Photos

More Information

Asbestos heating pipe insulation in poor condition Asbestos Identification in buildings: How to find & identify asbestos-containing materials
InspectAPedia®  -      

  • How to recognize asbestos materials in buildings
  • Basic asbestos cleanup advice & asbestos hazard reduction
  • Photographs of asbestos in building products
  • List of asbestos-containing building materials
  • Non-asbestos materials sometimes mistaken for asbestos
  • Are Carbon Nanotube Health Risks Similar to Asbestos?
  • Questions & answers about what building materials may contain asbestos, visual identification of asbestos-containing materials in buildings, and possible asbestos material identification by testing, use, age, appeareance

How to recognize asbestos in buildings: here is a visual guide to identifying asbestos in buildings. This article series assists building buyers, owners or inspectors who need to identify asbestos materials (or probable-asbestos) in buildings by simple visual inspection. In the website sections listed below, we provide photographs and descriptive text of asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing products to permit identification of definite, probable, or possible asbestos materials in buildings.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Guide to Asbestos in buildings: Asbestos Fibers, Asbestos Dust & Asbestos-Containing Materials that can be Identified by Visual Inspection

While an expert lab test using polarized light microscopy (and in some cases TEM) may be needed to identify the specific type of asbestos fiber, the percentage content of asbestos in a material, or to identify the presence of asbestos in air or dust samples, many asbestos-containing building products not only are obvious and easy to recognize, but since there were not other look-alike products that were not asbestos, a visual identification of this material can be virtually a certainty in many cases.

  • ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings provides a detailed guide to recognizing asbestos-containing materials in buildings and links to in depth articles about individual asbestos-containing building materials
  • ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS provides our detailed list of known products in which asbestos was used
  • ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to Materials provides a photo guide to common asbestos-containing products
  • Readers should also see Insulation Material Identification Guide for advice about identifying various insulation materials found in buildings.

Asbestos fibers and dust are not the only indoor air quality particle that is a potential concern in buildings. We have written about the possible irritating and perhaps health concerns associated with fiberglass insulation dust and fragments in buildings

  • at Allergens: how to identify common indoor allergens & mold by visual inspection,
  • Fiberglass Hazards in Indoor Air, Dust, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation, 
  • Mold Related Illness: a detailed guide,  
  • Pet Allergens,   Cat Allergies & Cat Dander, and insect fragments and fecals are common indoor dust concerns which we've written about at Building Inspection & Test Procedures for Pet Allergens where we describe these topics along with diagnosing and curing building odors, smells, and stains.
  • Also see Asbestos HVAC Ducts a field identification guide to visual detection of asbestos in and on heating and cooling system ducts and flue vents, and VIBRATION DAMPENERS for asbestos fabric vibration dampers on air handling equipment. For more microscopic photographs of asbestos-containing dust, also see Micro-Photographs of Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack. Links to U.S. government and other authoritative research and advice are included.

Basic asbestos safety advice

The US EPA indicates that not all asbestos-containing products are dangerous. A health risk exists only when asbestos fibers are released from a product [into the air where they are inhaled for example]. Products that are friable (easily crumbled or made into dust that is easily airborne) are more dangerous than products in which binders immobilize the asbestos fibers.

EPA also indicates that not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop an asbestos-related illness or disease. Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not develop asbestos-related health problems. Cigarette smokers are at much higher risk of asbestos-related disease.

Quoting from the US EPA Basic Advice on asbestos in homes:

What if I have asbestos in my home?

The best thing to do is to leave asbestos-containing material that is in good condition alone. If unsure whether or not the material contains asbestos, you may consider hiring a professional asbestos inspector to sample and test the material for you. Before you have your house remodeled, you should find out whether asbestos-containing materials are present.

If asbestos-containing material is becoming damaged (i.e., unraveling, frayed, breaking apart) you should immediately isolate the area (keep pets and children away from the area) and refrain from disturbing the material (either by touching it or walking on it). You should then immediately contact an asbestos professional for consultation.

It is best to receive an assessment from one firm and any needed abatement from another firm to avoid any conflict of interest. In such a scenario as described above, asbestos-containing material does not necessarily need to be removed, but may rather be repaired by an asbestos professional via encapsulation or enclosure. Removal is often unnecessary.

Basic Asbestos Debris Cleanup Advice

In most cases it is safest (and least costly) to leave the asbestos-containing materials alone. For Asbestos handling regulations, see ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS and ASBESTOS REGULATION Update.

Friable, damaged asbestos materials in a living area or such materials located where the asbestos is likely to be carried to an occupied space need professional asbestos remediation.

If you are cleaning-up in a building area where asbestos products may have been dislodged, such as a basement where asbestos pipe insulation has fallen to the floor, the US EPA recommends avoiding causing airborne dust and debris - a condition that could be harmful.

  • If hiring a contractor to remove asbestos, the US EPA guidelines for asbestos removal, for protection of the rest of the building, for proper asbestos waste disposal, and any other local or state environmental regulations must be followed. In most areas contractors must be specially licensed (see Asbestos Removal, Certification) to test or remove asbestos from buildings. In some areas it may be legal for a building owner or another contractor to remove asbestos, though still it must be disposed-of legally.
  • Do not run a vacuum cleaner or dry-sweep up asbestos debris that has fallen to the floor - you'll simply cause it to become airborne - a potentially harmful condition. Professional asbestos abatement contractors use a combination of wet mopping and HEPA vacuuming to clean up asbestos from building surfaces.

  • Do not disturb asbestos or asbestos-suspect material if you do not absolutely have to do so

  • Seal the work area off from the rest of the building if asbestos material has to be disturbed. Simple poly plastic sheeting and duct tape may suffice, but be sure the duct tape is adhered continuously to the plastic edges and that it binds securely - else it may be necessary to secure the plastic using nailed-furring strips. You don't want your containment barrier to fall down in the middle of a cleanup project. Use an air-lock and change footwear or take similar precautions so that you do not bring asbestos debris into other building areas on your shoes or clothing.

  • Wear an approved respirator, protective clothing, gloves, hat, goggles, that can be disposed-of after the cleanup.

  • Wet the asbestos with a hand sprayer when moving it;

  • Drill or cut only if it is absolutely necessary, then do it outside (and having wet the material)

  • Demolition of asbestos materials during removal should remove the asbestos in the largest feasible pieces, not in many small pieces.

  • Bag the removed asbestos in sealed plastic bags and (according to the EPA) dispose of it in an approved land-fill (check with your community building department and your state environmental regulatory association)

  • Perform a final cleanup of the work area using wet mops, sponges, disposable rags/ wipes. Do not track wet asbestos-contaminated water into other building areas.

-- US EPA. Our list of asbestos information articles is just below.

Are Carbon Nanotube Health Risks Similar to Asbestos?

We are monitoring studies of possible health risks from other products containing carbon nanotubes. The New York Times reported that to date no illnesses have been reported concerning nanotube-containing articles and that current popular consumer products such as tennis rackets that contain nanotubes are of little risk to consumers. But because nanotube-based fibers are very small, they could pose a health risk.

Consumer caution (not fear) are advised. Carbon nanotubes include bundles of fibers that are similar to but more uniform than naturally-occurring asbestos fibers. The Times article "In Study, Researchers Find Nanotubes May Pose Health Risks Similar to Asbestos", New York Times 21 May 2008 p. A-22, reported on an article published at the website of the journal Nature Nanotechnology on 5/21/08.

For details about carbon nanotube health concerns, and health research regarding nanotechnology in industrial or research processes see Nanomaterials Hazards

Also see Micro-Photographs of Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack. Links to U.S. government and other authoritative research and advice are included.

Certification & Licensing for Asbestos Abatement, Removal, & Cleanup Companies

As we discuss at ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Amateur, Incomplete, building owners arranging for asbestos cleanup, or any other environmental cleanup for that matter, should be sure that the company they are using is properly certified, licensed, and that the work is conducted with proper supervision and by workers who themselves are properly trained.

Failure to take these precautions risks serious consequences including contamination of other building areas by asbestos dust and debris, health risks and harm to the cleanup workers themselves, and future health risks and harm to building occupants as well as potential issues should the property later be offered for sale.

Details are at ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Amateur, Incomplete and Asbestos Removal, Certification. Excerpts are below.

Watch out: in 2010 The New York Times reported [paraphrasing from that article] that over a five year period beginning in 2001 hundreds of asbestos-removal training certificates were given to people who had completed no training whatsoever. The U.S. E.P.A. reported [according to the Times] that Albania Deleon, operating Environmental Compliance Training, a certified asbestos-removal training school in Methuen, MA and the largest such asbestos cleanup training school in the state. 65 to 80 percent of those receiving certification as qualified asbestos removal experts had not received the necessary training.

Many "Graduates from Environmental Compliance Training also obtained jobs through a temporary employment agency also owned by Deleon, were sent out to perform dangerous asbestos cleanup jobs, and were paid "under the table". Deleon was convicted in 2008 of criminal charges but fled the U.S.. She was captured in the Dominican Republic in 2008.

An example of a simple asbestos test report from a certified asbestos testing lab is shown in this asbestos test result.

Frequently Asked Questions about Asbestos Identification in buildings: How to find & identify asbestos-containing materials

Question: Was asbestos used in mobile home metal ceilings?

was any type of abestos insulation used in mobile home metal ceiling? - Morris 11/2/11

Reply:

Morris,

I'm not quite sure I understand the question. Certainly the metal ceiling of a mobile home is not itself asbestos, though if it has been painted with textured or "popcorn" paint those materials may contain asbestos, depending on when they were painted on.

If you are asking about actual ceiling insulation material, it's unlikely that asbestos was used just as building insulation. On some mobile home products asbestos millboard or even asbestos paper might be found as fireproofing.

Question: Is the yellow & brown insulating board found under wall paneling in my 1950's home an asbestos insulating product?

Question: I am currently renovating a home that was built in the early 1950s. The entire second floor was covered with wood paneling. Under the paneling, is 1/2 inch "board" all around the room.

It's yellow on one side (smooth), and brown (paper color/looks like possible cardboard) on the other, and has a type of "fiber" content. I ripped out a hile bunch of it, and now my throat is irritated. Has anyone ever heard of/seen this product? Does anyone know if it contains asbestos? Please let me know. Jim 1/3/12

Reply:

Jim,

the wallboard you describe may have been a wood-product insulating board - see INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE or for identification photos. Also see Homasote & Other Insulating Board.

Demolishing just about any building material that creates dust, especially old materials that may also have become moldy or may have accumulated a dust of insect or rodent debris, can be a respiratory irritant, a problem for asthmatics, etc. Check with your doctor.

Reader followup:

Thanks Dan, do you know if these products usually contained asbestos? Jim

Reply:

Wood-product insulating means to indicate made of wood materials. I have not found a reference indicating that manufacturers added asbestos to wood product insulating boards, though given the thousands of uses of asbestos, no one can issue a guarantee without testing.

Keep in mind that dust from demolition contains a lot of very irritating materials, including the sorts of items I listed above.

Question: Is the white wooly stuff insulating and labeled Eagle-Picher found in the attic of my 1947 home asbestos?

I was in my attic the other day and there is what looks like wool up there. My house was built in 1947, I'm not sure if it has asbestos in it or not, some of it is white in color and some is black in color and around the furnace I found and peice of paper that says eagle-picher insulation. - Robert 1/5/12

Reply:

Robert, take a look at our photo-guide to identifying building insulation materials, beginning at
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE (article links at page left) - and you'll find a link to detailed photos of Mineral Wool - Rock Wool Insulation - a mineral fiber, but not asbestos.

It would be highly unusual for someone to actually insulate an attic with asbestos materials, though once I found a home where that had been done. The owner worked in the heating industry and used corrugated asbestos paper pipe insulation to lay in his attic floor.

Question: Do gas fireplace logs contain asbestos?

We have a great gas fireplace, but lately i have become suspicious that there may be asbestos in the embers below? There is something yellowish and fluffy. It is an open fireplace. We just bought the house (built 1959) and asked both the inspector and a fireplace specialist if it was asbestos and they said no, but how can you tell? I plan on getting in tested, just feeling anxious in the meantime. - Cat 1/6/12

Reply:

Cat:

Your suspicion that older faux-logs in gas fireplaces contained asbestos is well founded. In my OPINION it is just about impossible to tell by visual inspection alone whether or not a gas log includes asbestos in its makeup. The new logs that are asbestos free look just like the old ones and seem to me to be about the same weight too.

You'd need to send a small material sample to a certified asbestos testing lab to know for sure what the gas log contains. But if you know that the logs are quite old, there's a good chance the are asbestos-containing.

The asbestos particle release into the building air from using an old gas log would be expected to be below the limits of detection in normal use. But if the log is mechanically damaged or disturbed, indeed you could create a messy dust that contains asbestos particles.

Watch out: if you're seeing fluffy deposits forming when the gas fireplace is in operation, that's an abnormal condition that might indicate improper combustion and an unsafe, carbon monoxide hazard. Be sure your home has working CO detectors properly placed.

Question: A baby crib was stored near vermiculite insulation. Is the baby crib safe if I clean it?

I have a baby crib stored in my parents attack. It probably has vermiculite insulation loosely laid between the floor boards. Is the crib safe if I clean it? - Pam 5/15/12

Reply:

Pam:

With respect, and not meaning to sound glib, if I cleaned a baby crib it would be safe. By text on a website one can't know what you would do. Elaborating: a baby crib that is made of all hard surface materials can be cleaned of surface dust by washing or perhaps even careful damp wiping. If there is a mattress that was not covered with something to keep it clean you may want to replace it to be perfectly safe.

I do not know that the vermiculite insulation in the location where the crib was stored contains asbestos, but sound advice is to assume so. The $50.+ you'd spend on testing is perhaps better spent on a new mattress and on cleaning.

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  ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings

  • [1] 07: thanks to Gary Randolph, Ounce of Prevention Home Inspection, LLC Buffalo, NY, for attentive reading and editing suggestions. Mr. Randolph can be reached in Buffalo, NY, at (716) 636-3865 or email: gary@ouncehome.com
  • [2] 06/07: thanks for photographs of transite asbestos heating ducts, courtesy of Thomas Hauswirth, Managing Member of Beacon Fine Home Inspections, LLC and (in 2007) Vice President, Connecticut Association of Home Inspectors Ph. 860-526-3355 Fax 860-526-2942 beaconinspections@sbcglobal.net
  • [3] "Woman Wanted by E.P.A. is Arrested", Leslie Kaufman, The New York Times, 3 November 2010 p. A 17.
  • [4] June 1997 - Window Putty - OSHA case cites contractor for asbestos exposure during removal of window putty http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=1091
  • [5] Asbestos Identification and Testing References
    • Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
    • Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
    • Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone
  • [6] Asbestos in Your Home U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • [7] Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on Asbestos, Its Industrial Applications, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print, text and images available at InspectAPedia.com).
  • [8] "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
  • [9] EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460 Copy on file as - /hazmat/Asbestos_in_Your_Home_US_EPA.pdf - Asbestos in Your Home - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • List of major U.S. Asbestos Product Producers & Companies
    • A.B.B. Lummus Global Inc.
    • Abex Corperation,
    • AC & S, Amatex Corporation,
    • A. P. Green Industries,
    • Armstrong World Industries,
    • Babcock and Wilcox,
    • Bell Asbestos Mines,
    • Bestwall Gypsum
    • Georgia Pacific,
    • Bondex,
    • Borg Warner Company,
    • Celotex,
    • C. E. Thurston & Sons,
    • Certainteed Corportation,
    • Combustion Engineering,
    • Congoleum Corporation,
    • Crown Cork and Seal,
    • Dana Corporation,
    • Eagle Picher Industries Inc.,
    • Ehret Magnesia,
    • E.J. Bartells Co.,
    • Foseco,
    • Foster Wheeler,
    • Federal Mogul Corporation,
    • Flexitallic Gasket Company,
    • Forty Eight Insulations Inc.,
    • GAF Corporation,
    • Garlock,
    • General Electric,
    • General Motors,
    • Georgia Pacific,
    • Gold Bond,
    • H. K. Porter Inc.,
    • Harbison Walker Refractories Co.,
    • Honeywell Heating,
    • Ingersoll Rand,
    • John Crane,
    • Johns-Manville,
    • J T Thorpe,
    • Kaiser Aluminum,
    • Keene Corporation,
    • Kelly Moore Paint Co.,
    • Kentile Floors,
    • Lincoln Electric,
    • M.H. Detrick Company,
    • Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing,
    • Mobil Oil Corperation,
    • National Gypsum,
    • Nicolet Keasby & Mattison,
    • North American Refractories,
    • Owens Corning Fiberglass,
    • Owens Illinois,
    • Pacor Incorporated,
    • Pittsburgh Corning,
    • Plibrico Company,
    • Porter Hayden Company,
    • Rapid American (this was a holding company)
    • Phillip Carey Manufacturing,
    • Raybestos Manhatten
    • Raymark Industries,
    • Rock Wool Manufacturing Co.,
    • Rutland,
    • Shook and Fletcher,
    • Synkoloid Company,
    • The Flintkote Company,
    • Unarco,
    • Union Carbide,
    • United States Gypsum,
    • Western Macarthur,
    • Westinghouse Electric,
    • W.R. Grace

Also see asbestos.com/companies/

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

Asbestos Hazard, Testing, Removal, References & Products

  • Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
  • ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings How to find and recognize asbestos in buildings - visual inspection methods, list of common asbestos-containing materials
  • Asbestos Identification and Testing References
    • Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
    • Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
    • Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone
  • Asbestos in Good Condition
  • Asbestos HVAC Ducts and Flues field identification photos and guide
  • Asbestos NESHAP Adequately Wet Guidance, EPA340/1-90-019, December 1990, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Stationary Source Compliance Division, Washington, DC 20460,original web source: http://www.epa.gov/region04/air/asbestos/awet.htm
  • Asbestos paper duct wrap
  • Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on Asbestos, Its Industrial Applications, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print, text and images available at InspectAPedia.com).
  • Asbestos Transite Chimneys, Flues, & Pipes in buildings
  • Asbestos under the microscope
  • Asbestos Vibration Dampers & Asbestos in the Air Handler
  • Ceiling tiles: How to recognize ceiling tiles that may contain asbestos
  • Examples of unusual uses of asbestos in buildings
  • Fiberglass: Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Health Concerns About Airborne Fiberglass: Fiberglass in Indoor Air from HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation
  • Enviro-Scare: Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk, & "Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear of Environmental Issues
  • Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack: the lower floors of this building contained spray-on fire-proofing asbestos materials.
  • Asbestos Information Links: Asbestos Detection, Testing, Recognition, Hazards, Field Photos, and Information Sources, including health-related links such as legal services and information about mesothelioma and other cancers.
  • Basic Information about Asbestos, US EPA, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html
  • "Handling Asbestos-Containing roofing material - an update", Carl Good, NRCA Associate Executive Director, Professional Roofing, February 1992, p. 38-43
  • EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • Copy on file as - /hazmat/Asbestos_in_Your_Home_US_EPA.pdf - Asbestos in Your Home - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • Vermiculite: Protect Your Family from Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation, U.S. EPA , web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html
    Web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm_questions.html
  • Proteja su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminado con asbesto, U.S. EPA HOJA INFORMATIVA - Proteja a su familia del aislante de vermiculita contaminado con asbestos, web search 08/17/2010, original source http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm-ques-sp.pdf
  • [copy on file as /hazmat/Vermiculite_US_EPA.pdf/ Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation - May 2003, U.S. EPA
  • [copy on file as] /hazmat/Vermiculite_Health_Canada.pdf] Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos - September 2009, Health Canada
  • Managing Asbestos in Place, How to Develop and Maintain a Building Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program, U.S. EPA, web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/management_in_place.html
  • Asbestos Strategies, Lessons Learned about Management and Use of Asbestos: Report of Findings and Recommendations on the Use and Management of Asbestos, 16 May 2003, US EPA, web search 01/20/2011, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbstrategiesrptgetf.pdf
    prepared by the: Global Environment & Technology Foundation, 7010 Little River Turnpike, Suite. 460, Annandale VA 20003
  • Other US EPA Publications on asbestos: web search 01/20/2011, see http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/pubs.html
  • ...

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