Asbestos product & application FAQs set #2:

More questions & answers about the most-common forms in which asbestos was used in building materials & products.

This article series provides a master list of the forms in which asbestos was used, a list of known asbestos-containing materials, and links to detailed articles about individual asbestos-containing products & materials found in buildings and in a wide range of products used in both home and industry.

Page top photo: a widely used form of asbestos-cement roof tiles.

FAQs about Asbestos-Containing Products & Materials-2

These questions and answers about the use of asbestos in various products world-wide were posted originally

at ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS - be sure to see that comprehensive list of products and materials that contained or used asbestos in any form.

On 2018-11-22 by (mod) - does my bicycle seat contain asbestos?

Jared

Your photo looks like jute (not an asbestos material), apparently underlaid with a layer of felt, probably cotton.

There is no doubt that there were some very early bicycle seats (Ca 1900) that included asbestos.

Remarkably asbestos was used in bicycle seats or saddles as late as 1971!

Asbestos was also used in other bicycle parts including tires (talcum power that contained asbestos), some structural joints, and possibly in brakes.

No research we have found asserts a hazard from those uses - to consumers in normal bicycle use.

Please see detatils at BICYCLE SEAT ASBESTOS

On 2018-11-22 by Jared

was asbestos used inside.the seat cushions of 1950s bicycles?

On 2018-11-18 by (mod) - list of asbestos containing products that are still used post 1990?

Nice question Richard.

In our list of asbestos regulations (see the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of this article) you'll see that details vary by country. I'll paste in some useful references just below.

In the US the EPA narrowed the ban considerably, and currently may not be monitoring products. The US EPA documents we provide and cite give details.

"Banned" is a much shorter list than "no longer used"

• ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS
  • HISTORY & DATES OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL BANS & REGULATIONS
  • COUNTRIES THAT BAN OR REGULATE THE USE OR PRODUCTION OF ASBESTOS
  • DEFINITION OF & HANDLING RULES FOR SUSPECT ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (SACM)
  • DEFINITION OF & HANDLING RULES FOR PRESUMED ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL (PACM)
  • ASBESTOS EXPOSURE LIMITS (PELS) TLVs RBCs & RELs
  • MOST COMMON OCCURRENCES OF ASBESTOS IN BUILDING
  • WORKER NOTIFICATION of PRESENCE of ASBESTOS or ASBESTOS REMEDIATION
  
  

On 2018-11-16 by Richard Forget

Do you have a list of asbestos containing products that are still used post 1990? Would you have any information identifying if some of these post 1990 products have been subsequently banned?

On 2018-11-08 by (mod) - asbestos in Pioneer Baseboard in the U.K. ?

Susan,

Thank you for the question. I will do some research on the baseboard that you named.

To be more helpful I need to know what problem we are solving here.

Are you concerned with risk of asbestos because you're forced to demolish or remove an existing floor?

I ask because the substantive question is not whether or not a flooring material contains asbestos, but what is the right way to proceed in any case.

In other words if we're doing a demolition in the building and we can leave an old layer of subfloor flooring in place, that is the procedure recommended by virtually all informed experts on the topic. It's most economical, and it's safest.

On 2018-11-07 by Susan scholes

I am having my loft converted iny 1950s ex council house. I was told where asbestos was by coincil and had the soffits and shed roof roved by a contractor.

The only other place they told me about was the glue in the floor tiles . I have just been looking at loft floor and it says pioneer baseboard. I am concerned this may have asbestos even though this has not been told to me previously by council inspectors

On 2018-11-02 by (mod) - When did asbestos in aluminium gates phase out?

Krenulla

I'd like to see some sharp photos of your aluminum gates and of the component that makes you raise the asbestos question. From just your text I'm unsure what we're discussing.

On 2018-11-02 by Krenulla Moorman

When did asbestos in aluminium gates phase out? We got a pair of white aluminium ones second hand and not sure if contain asbestos. My husband thinks they are a few years old. We live in Spain.

On 2018-09-16 by (mod) -

Ant

The most-likely material used for a thermos cover would have been canvas, but there is no doubt that some thermos designs, thus possibly including separate thermos covers, contained asbestos from years well before the 1944 date you give and even a bit before the 1925 date you give.

Examples are found in patent research that we list at

THERMOS FLASK & COVER ASBESTOS

Watch out: we have found reports that a variety of modern thermos flasks made in Asia have been found to contain asbestos, probably as an insulating liner. In those products there should be no asbestos exposure unless the flask is dis-assembled or broken.

On 2018-09-16 by ANT

Could you possibly know if these [photo above] contained asbestos either in the main flask or the insulation jacket ?

It is great britain 1944 "Thermos 1925" flask military issue, many thanks in advance

On 2018-09-08 by (mod) - wide use of asbestos plaster casts including orthopedics

Yes S. Reves asbestos was used in several forms in a wide range of plaster casts including for a broken bone - orthopedics.

Your question and a very detailed reply can be found at ASBESTOS in PLASTER

On 2018-09-06 by srevesz

Was asbestos used in the material used for casts for a broken bone?

On 2018-07-23 by (mod) - asbestos in a leather bench?

Denise

With the apology that I can't do a lab test by e-text, nor can I see your leather bench, asbestos stuffing inside of a leather bench would be quite odd.

On 2018-07-22 by Denise

Is there possible asbestos inside a leather bench? Is it safe to use? The bench is filled with padding and the leather is now cracking. The woman from whom I bought the bench shared it was an antique and was her father’s. Thank you for your insights.

On 2018-07-06 by (mod) - asbestos used in dash or steering wheel of 1930's Ford automobiles

We don't, Anon. But a good place to look for asbestos would be in the fire-wall on either side of the partition between engine compartment and car interior.

Asbestos may also have been present in body putty or body filler used in dent repair of metal components.

On 2018-07-06 by Anonymous

I am sorry. Just to add it is from a 1937/1939 Ford 7Y EIGHT. I once sanded it for about 10 minutes and I am so worried about the asbestos filler if it did contain asbestos. Thank you.

Does anyone know if the dashboard, window trim and steering wheel contains asbestos in it ?

On 2018-06-26 by Simon

Thanks for your reply. Anyone else heard of asbestos ever being used in bed pillows?

On 2018-06-25 by Anonymous

Not that I've found

On 2018-06-25 by Simon

Was asbestos ever used as a bed pillow filling?

On 2018-06-14 by (mod) - asbestos in a kitchen cabinet?

Gerard your photo is a bit blurry but from the yellowish edge it looks to me like a hardboard product - if so that would not be an asbestos material.

On 2018-05-29 by Gerard

I suspect this material in old metal kitchen cabinets contains asbestos. What do you think?

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-04-22 by (mod) - asbestos unlkely in residential chair cushions or fabrics

RC

Cotton + burlap as constituents of a chair cushion wouldn't lead me to suspect asbestos in those material. Considering the costs involved, when in doubt, throw it out. The cost of new chair cushion padding would be less than the $40. for an asbestos lab test.

Asbestos fabric was used in theatre curtains and possibly in some theatre seating. In ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS use your browser's on-page search feature to look for "Curtains" to see details.

On 2018-04-22 by RC

Would there be asbestos in an old spring chair cushion wrapped with burlap and padding that looks like heavy thick cotton probably from the 1950's. I was going to make new covers and pulled off the old, then got concerned.

On 2018-04-22 by (mod) - asbestos in fibro-cement cooling tower components - Marley Cooling Technologies

David:

Beginning in North America in the early 1950's, asbestos was found in some asbestos-cement or "fibro-cement" cooling tower components made by Marley Cooling Technologies, Inc., including that company's honeycomb-type draft blocking panels and other cooling tower panels that may combine asbestos and a plastic coating.

A patent search finds other cooling tower manufacturers using asbestos fibro-cement panels in tower panels including Goodfellow.

A review of older ASTM standards also documents cooling tower asbestos in ASTM C1081 - 98(2014) Standard Specification for Asbestos-Cement Corrugated Fill For Use in Cooling Towers - now obsolete.

In some older cooling towers you may also find more-generic asbestos cement panels made by any of a wide range of manufacturers. Asbestos cement was used as cooling tower side panels and louvers.

On 2018-04-20 by David F. Green

Looking for the names of asbestos panels and paper made for cooling tower in 1974-1979. Also need names
of Manufacturer.

David F. Green
dfg977654@gmail.com
580-743-1899

I am looking for asbestos materials in paper (Black in color) with riffles at an angle and a siding that is white and the riffles run long ways. Both made of asbestos and I need the company that sold them in the years of 1974-79.Sold to a company named E. D. Goodfellow from Tulsa, Ok.

Thank you for any help.

On 2018-04-18 by (mod) - no asbestos in modern Armstrong ceiling tiles

Pam, a 1997 Armstrong-brand ceiling tile sold in North America would not contain asbestos.

On 2018-04-18 by Pam Armstrong ceiling tile in the basement stamped with 704A, dated 5-21-1997

I need to know because my husband is putting them up in the basement and it scares me.

I have an Armstrong ceiling tile in the basement stamped with 704A, dated 5-21-1997. Could it have asbestos in it?

On 2018-04-09 by (mod) - wood-fiber ceiling tile ought to contain zero asbestos.

Ron, if we except possible cross-contamination, a wood-fiber ceiling tile ought to contain zero asbestos.

Gold Bond, however, is a National Gypsum brand; some National Gypsum products (including drywall) did contain asbestos. I think that's a source of confusion. Worse some mesothelioma sites loosely quote Gold Bond "ceiling panels" as containing asbestos without clarifying. I'm confused by that citation too, as the same sites do NOT explicitly include Gold Bond ceiling tiles in their list of confirmed asbestos hazards.

"Gold Bond Non-perforated Asbestos Panels" are listed as an asbestos-containing product.

So darn it I'm sorry but I'm stuck having to say some ceiling tile products do and some do not contain asbestos; worse some wood or cellulose-based ceiling tiles that should have been asbestos-free are found to contain asbestos, probably because of cross-contamination by having been produced or stored at a production site that processed asbestos in other products.

Since I have not found a specific asbestos lab test result for Gold Bond Silentex/wf1580 ceiling tiles, if you want to have your ceiling tested, I'll pay for that cost - you can contact me by email at the page top or bottom CONTACT link.

Or you can proceed on your own - a test costs about $50. U.S. - see ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST for access to certified asbestos testing labs if you want to proceed on your own.

If so do keep me posted. What you find will help other readers.

Details are at ASBESTOS CEILING TILE IDENTIFICATION

ASBESTOS-FREE CEILING TILES lists ceiling tile products that we've been able to confirm as asbestos-free.

On 2018-04-09 by Ron - Gold Bond silentex/wf1580 wood fiber ceiling tile with beveled tongue and groove edges

I have Gold Bond silentex/wf1580 wood fiber ceiling tile with beveled tongue and groove edges in my basement how can I tell if they contain asbestos

On 2018-04-05 by (mod) - uses of asbestos paper as siding backer?

David

Using the on-page search function of your browser you can search this article for "asbestos paper" to find all 42 citations, most of which link to more detailed articles.

But sorry, no, I cannot give a specific product name or manufacturer for asbestos siding or asbestos-based paper just based on the years you give since there were muiltiple sources in multiple countries.

On 2018-04-05 by David F. Green

Looking for the name of asbestos siding an paper made in 1975-79. Also name of manufacturer. Can you help. Email - dfg977654@gmail.com. Phoe - 580-743-1899

On 2018-03-22 by (mod) - some exercise bikes used asbestos in their brake pads

Yes, Justin, some exercise bikes used asbestos in their brake pads, as we find in some patent disclosures

• Disbrow, Richard A., and Russel O. Blanchard. "Exercise equipment." U.S. Patent 4,305,578, issued December 15, 1981.
  "...preferably, brake pad 50 is made of an impregnated asbestos material "
• Disbrow, Richard A., and Russel O. Blanchard. "Unobstructed adjustable V-frame exercycle." U.S. Patent 4,811,945, issued March 14, 1989.
  "... Preferably, brake pad 50 is made of an impregnated asbestos material …'

In any event you can minimize any potential hazard by avoiding using compressed air to clean the brakes on your exercise bike.

On 2018-03-22 by Justin S - asbestos was used in Exercise Bike Friction Pads in the 1970's or 80's.

Does anyone know if asbestos was used in Exercise Bike Friction Pads in the 1970's or 80's. The one we have has a stiff felt like material.

On 2018-02-20 by (mod) - would a 1970 vintage pool heater would contain asbestos

Anonymous,

You're probably asking if a 1970 vintage pool heater would contain asbestos. That's pretty Broad topic so I don't know. There may have been asbestos at a gasket or as a sealant on pipes around heater or as an ingredient in the combustion chamber liner. But all of that can only be speculative.

On 2018-02-20 by Anonymous

1970 pool Heather

On 2018-01-19 1 by (mod) - is asbestos inspection required in SC for carpet adhesive laid about year 2000

NO

On 2018-01-19 by renee

is asbestos inspection required in SC for carpet adhesive laid about year 2000

On 2017-10-04 1 by Derek pledger

Could powder mixing paint of the 1950s contain asbestos particles
Thanks del

On 2017-10-02 by (mod) - asbestos cement paneling used indoors: hazard control

Arabella:

Asbestos in fiber-cement form such as might have been used on interior walls (quite unusual in an occupied space) does not shed detectable levels of asbestos unless the material is disturbed by grinding, sawing, chopping, drilling, etc.

If the panels are covered with wallpaper and left alone there should be no detectable asbestos hazard from that material .

Use of asbestos cement panels for the interior walls of a residential structure would be odd, though asbestos-containing gypsum board was more common.

Where asbestos cement panels were used inside structures it was normally to meet special fire-resistance needs such as inside of an elevator cab or in boiler rooms, as you see in these example patent disclosures from the 1960's and 1970's in the U.S. and interestingly, asbestos cement is mentioned as part of the product classification in a 1998 patent for a patio enclosure panel.

• Raynes, Burt F. "Fire resistant wall panel." U.S. Patent 3,336,710, issued August 22, 1967.
  Patent excerpt:
  
  Some building codes prohibit the use of gypsum for the purpose of resisting shear loads. In order to overcome this limiting factor of gypsum and other fire resistant materials asl to its resistance to shear loads, yet still maintain its fire resistant advantage, a gypsum and cement-asbestos board composite panel 4wall capable of offering shear resistance is used in the present invention.
  
  As otherwise expressed, the present invention also envisions a multi-layer or laminar wall comprising an inner layer of foam cored panels disposed end to end and each having facing sheets of gypsum board, and outer layers disposed on opposite sides of the inner layer and secured thereto in spaced relation therewith, the outer layers respectively comprising sheets of gypsum and asbestoscement board disposed end to end.
• De Lange, Cornelis J. "Panel wall." U.S. Patent 3,621,635, issued November 23, 1971.
  Patent excerpt:
  
  The wall is made of a number of large size panels 12 each formed of a thin, substantially rigid sheet or substrate 13 made of a suitable construction material, such as of cement-asbestos sheeting or the like.
  
  Covering the sheet is an aggregate coating 14 which may be formed of small sized stones or pebbles or marble chips or the like joined together and bonded to the substrate with a suitable resin binder.
• Albrecht, Ronald. "Core for a patio enclosure wall and method of forming thereof." U.S. Patent 5,848,508, issued December 15, 1998.
  Abstract:
  
  A core for a patio enclosure wall includes a first layer formed of polyisocyanurate material and a second layer formed of plasterboard bonded to the first layer. The core may be sandwiched between a weather resistant exterior panel and an interior surface to form a panel/core assembly for a patio enclosure wall.
  
  The core of the present invention provides fine thermal insulation. The plasterboard components serve to prevent the spread of flames. Furthermore, the core serves as an efficient sound barrier.
  Classifications
  B32B13/12 Layered products comprising a a layer of water-setting substance, e.g. concrete, plaster, asbestos cement, or like builders' material comprising such water setting substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin

On 2017-10-02 by Arabella Marshall - Interior walls consist of asbestos cement panelling covered in flat wall paper and white paint.

My daughter has moved into a ground floor flat that was built as an extension to a larger house in the 1920s.

Exterior walls are timber. Interior walls consist of asbestos cement panelling covered in flat wall paper and white paint. It is all in good condition and she knows that she must not make holes in the walls.

Is there a risk of particles in the air? Is there something else that can be done to prevent this happening at all? If repairs need to be done to the house which does involve drilling into the panels does she need to move out for a period of time?

The high pitched roof is timber on the inside and some newer internal walls are modern plasterboard.

On 2017-09-10 21:32:20.906615 by (mod) -

Mary:

We saw your images of the old mattress; it looks like cotton over jute or a similar material but of course by eye alone one cannot be certain what materials are in a product. We published your photos and question and research at https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-in-Mattresses.php

On 2017-09-10 21:30:01.042050 by (mod) -

Re-posting without link - for reader security

Mary said:

Could there be asbestos in this batting inside a 1950s or 1960s mattress? It might be a Sealy or Simmons, judging from old ads.

On 2017-07-31 by (mod) -

Christina,

With the apology that no one with any sense will give a hazardous-materials promise based on a brief e-text, I'd say it'd be uncommon for a concrete or concrete block used in residential construction to have used asbestos; but there certainly were concrete products that added asbestos either to obtain lighter weight or to improve fire resistance.

If you're facing a dusty demolition mess it might be worth the $40. to have a sample tested (search our site for ASBESTOS TEST LABS to find one - we have on money nor business connection there)

I also figure that concrete dust itself is a respiratory hazard if you're doing dusty demolition.

Otherwise I'd figure the blocks are *cement* based and thus not friable - that is not normally made into airborne dust by crushing bits with your forefinger and thumb so the dust hazard ought to be below measure.

On 2017-07-31 by Christina

Was abestos used in 1964 in the foundatiobs of homes

On 2017-07-09 by (mod) -

Paul,

A garden pond needs to be waterproof - asbestos might be used in some concrete mixes but wouldn't pertain to that requirement. I'd expect concrete, plastic, rubber, vinyl or fiberglass.

You can use the page to or bottom CONTACT link to send me some photos for comment if you like and we can pursue the question further. A photo or two of the pond overall and closeups showing the texture of the material surface, edges, and perhaps its back or dirt side should work.

On 2017-07-08 by Paul

I'm trying to find out what the pond in my garden was made from,I've read somewhere that some old ponds are made from asbestos. I can't see any information on this online at all. Does anyone know how I can tell if it was made from asbestos or fibreglass?

On 2017-04-08 by (mod) -

It would make sense to use a damp paper towel, wipe that mess up, toss it all.

If I had a pot whose handle burned when I used it on the stove top I'd discard it and try something safer. Or if you want to keep it for sentimental reasons (mom), perhaps use it as a flower pot.

On 2017-04-08 by Dave S.

(Forgot to put my name on previous reply.) Also, there are no markings to identify manufacturer, age, etc. It's pretty old; I think my mom gave it to me.

On 2017-04-08 by Anonymous

Actually, the area where the plastic has burned easily sheds fine black dust when I just brush it with my finger.

On 2017-04-08 by (mod) - there could be asbestos fiber or filler in some plastics

Dave:
Depending on its age, there could be asbestos fiber or filler in some plastics.

But the material is not friable (you can't make it into airborne dust by smushing it between your thumb and forefinger), and it's virtually certain that the unless you ran the handle through a sanding machine or grinder it would not produce a measurable level of airborne asbestos in a building.

See ASBESTOS PLASTIC COMPONENTS

On 2017-04-08 by Dave S.

A small piece of the black plastic handle of an aluminum pot broke off some time ago. I continued to use the pot.

Occasionally, the broken area of the plastic has been exposed to flame when the pot is accidentally placed off-center on the stove's burner. (I recall some odor when this has happened.) How likely is it that:

a) there are asbestos fibers in the plastic

b) fibers were released when the handle cracked

c) fibers are released when the handle is exposed to flame
Thanks!

On 2016-12-31 by (mod) - fiberglass insulation in appliances

Yes, fiberglass is widely used and was a widely used insulation material in many appliances.

On 2016-12-31 by Kellie

I would estimate that it was made in the late sixties or seventies. The insulation in the bottom is exposed and appears to be an brownish white fiberglass.

I believe to have been manufactured by Kenmore. Was regular fiberglass used in refrigerators. Again any help would be appreciated.

On 2016-12-30 by (mod) - Which brands of refrigerators contained asbestos?

Good question, Kellie but I don't have a reliable answer to which refrigerator brands did or did not contain asbestos.The number of brands and models is in the thousands; better to consider

- the age of the refrigerator

- the physical appearance of any visible insulation

- the low risk of asbestos exposure when it's completely contained within enclosed metal components of a refrigerator

Here are some patent disclosures that prove that asbestos was used in some refrigeration equipment, typically in commercial applications and in refrigerator railroad cars and trucks.

Asbestos was used in some refrigerator internal parts such as the head gasket of some refrigerator compressors or mufflers.

• Reed, Sheridan J. "Insulating jackets for instruments comprising a layer of asbestos cloth, a layer of cotton drill fabric, a layer of glass fiber insulation and a layer of neoprene coated aluminized nylon." U.S. Patent 3,589,971, issued June 29, 1971.
• Heritage, Clark C. "Insulating confined spaces." U.S. Patent 2,439,603, issued April 13, 1948.
• Lundvall, John S. "Refrigerator car construction." U.S. Patent 2,239,109, issued April 22, 1941.
• Dudley, R. and William, P.F., Rubatex Products Inc, 1937. Insulation members. U.S. Patent 2,091,335. Original Assignee Rubatex Products Inc.
  Patent Excerpt:
  
  Among the well-known insulation compositions used in the walls of containers, such as refrigerators, are asbestos, 85% magnesia, balsa wood, etc.
  
  Either in conjunction with these or as alternatives, it has been proposed to provide airfilled or vacuum spaces for insulation.
  
  In fact, air spaces have long been recognized as an especially effective insulation and for this reason, various asbestos compositions, as well as other basic insulations, have been constructed, having a cellular structure, the cells comprising spaces filled with air.
• Seeger, Walter G., and Gustave R. Seeger. "Refrigerator." U.S. Patent 1,989,158, issued January 29, 1935.
  Patent excerpt:
  
  The insulating material may be made of asbestos, rubber, or any substance which is a non-conductor of heat, and which may be impervious to moisture.
• Glenn, Muffly. "Refrigerator cabinet." U.S. Patent 1,801,564, issued April 21, 1931.
  Patent excerpt:
  The space between the shells other than the portions 23 and 25 may be filled with an insulating material 17 such as felt, asbestos or the like, or such material may be eliminated completely and the air alone be depended upon for heat insulation between the shells.
  

On 2016-12-30 by Kellie

Which brands of refrigerators contained asbestos? We have an old yellow one that has a type of insulation material in the bottom. Any help would be appreciated.

On 2016-09-06 by (mod) - WonderMaker's core sampler for asbestos pipe insulation

John

At TEST CUTS for MOLD in BUILDING CAVITIES you'll see a photo of making use of a simple hole saw that cuts a very nice plug that can be used to examine layers of material or to prepare a lab sample for an analysis. Choose a plug depth adequate to get all of the thickness you need and a hole diameter that is no larger than necessary so as to minimize the repair work.


I agree that using any power saw makes more airborne dust than cutting by hand, but I do not recommend attacking the ceiling with a chisel. You risk breaking plaster ears through the lath and causing more wide-spread damage or worse, causing whole sections of plaster to fall off of the ceiling.

You can control the dust from the hole saw during sample plug cutting by keeping a shop vac or HEPA vac hose next to the cut area. And of course wear appropriate eye and respiratory protection.

It's a good question; I'll post our conversation over at the discussion of use of the hole saw.

The company that you promote with your question, WonderMakers Enviornmental, sells asbestos bulk sampling EQUIPMENT including a handle and plunger for cutting core samples of material.

You're going to spend perhaps $140. to ten times that amount for asbestos bulk sampling materials - a cost that may not be appropriate for sampling plaster but that may indeed be appropriate for professional environmental inspectors.

An advantage of the company's core sampler system, particularly for people whose work requires frequent bulk material sampling is that the owner claims (in company rep. Michael's instructional video) that personal protection equipment is not required.

Use of the core sampler is also preceded by pre-wetting of the asbestos pipe insulation and succeeded by injecting a replacement insulation into the core sampled opening.

Both methods include sealing the sample area with a suitable adhesive tape such as duct tape or foil tape.

Watch out: the WonderMaker's core sampler is demonstrated on asbestos pipe insulation - a rather soft material traditionally sampled by wetting the material and cutting a sample with a "box knife" or drywall knife aka "razor knife" and that can also be sampled by the core sampler.

It is notable that in the WonderMaker's demonstration video of the traditional knife-cutting asbestos sampling procedure no protective gear was used though the demonstrator comments that this procedure is "pretty dusty".

Whether or not this core sampler cuts hard plaster surfaces with the same ease as what is basically soft-asbestos corrugated paper-like material has not been discussed.

Really? It's also notable that as we document

at ASBESTOS PIPE-INSULATION there are some well-known asbestos-containing materials including pipe insulation that are easily and reliably identified by visual inspection alone, as there was no alternative material that was used in that application and that looks the same as the asbestos-based material.

In that case, except for very special circumstances such as perhaps litigation or scientific research on percentages and mixtures of asbestos-containing materials, the requirement for costly asbetstos-testing of the material might itself be questioned.

Watch out: If you suspect that you're dealing with an asbestos-containing material you do not want to make a dusty mess; wetting the area, working with hand tools, or using dust control measures including a HEPA vac would make sense.

In that case and IF I were confident that I could cut away or break away a plaster sample without causing more damage to the ceiling or causing ceiling sections to collapse, I might indeed try some cutting with a sharp thin-bladed chisel.

I'd still use dust control measures.

On 2016-09-04 by JohnMoore - What is the best way to take a sample of a 3 layer plaster ceiling?

What is the best way to take a sample of a 3 layer plaster ceiling? i've come across these hole cutter like core sampling things at wondermakers.com that seem neat but would just chiseling create less dust?

On 2016-05-14 by (mod) -

Yes Victor, Search InspectApedia for this article title CEILING PAINT TEXTURED ASBESTOS to read details.

On 2016-05-14 by victor Lacroix

was there asbestos in the manufacturing of drywall or drywall compound/stipple ceilings in 1977-1978 homes

...

Continue reading  at ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see ASBESTOS PRODUCT FAQs-3 - more-recent questions & answers about what products contained asbestos

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST
• ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS
• ASBESTOS PRODUCING COMPANIES & TRUSTS
• ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to MATERIALS
• ASBESTOS PRODUCTS BANNED vs PERMITTED U.S. 2023

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