Asbestos photo guide questions & answers:

This page answers frequently-asked questions about our photo-guide to asbestos-containing products.

FAQs about Photos of Asbestos-Containing Materials

These questions & answers about asbestos-suspect materials or photographs of asbestos containing materials were posted originally at ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to MATERIALS - be sure to review the photos of asbestos materials found there.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2021-07-25 by (mod)

@Anonymous,

Putty isn't normally a friable material; it ought to be hard and pretty stable if you're not fooling with it; Easy enough to wrap in plastic to be safe .

On 2021-07-25 by Mirror putty asbestos guy

thank you very much for answer! We were moving it 2x by car when moving and I am drying laundry right next to it. Would be some asbestos in car and on clothes?

Have no idea how friable it can get with wind when open balcony next to it or moving.

It looks like there is many cracks and missing pieces but I dont really see any white dust next to it. And what age in Canada would be sure that it doesnt contain. Thanks so much!

On 2021-07-25 by (mod) - small asbestos hazard in non-friable materials like putty - avoid demolition

@Putty asbestos on mirror,

Depending on the age and country where that putty or sealant material was made it may contain asbestos. You'd treat it accordingly or have it tested

How much danger? IF you don't make a dusty mess the danger is probably below detection.

Removing it: See the asbestos wetting guidelines in the Article Index

I'm not sure that you could consider putty or sealant friable in most situations.

On 2021-07-25 by Putty asbestos on antique Canadian mirror ?

@Putty asbestos on mirror,

...

...

Bought this from someone else some time ago and now wondering could this looks like putty/caulk contain asbestos? If yes how much danger this put us into and what should I do when it comes to removing it and cleaning after? Thanks!

On 2021-07-10 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Asbestos from drywall wall joint sanding now on the floor

@Asbestos from wall joints on the floor,

Asbestos-containing drywall mud remains on an exposed, in-use concrete floor from a 1960 construction would be a bit surprising, but I admit without more information about the building we're both speculating.

For your peace of mind you can damp wipe and HEPA vacuum all exposed surfaces.

If you want to see if there was dust with a high-asbestos content, look on a horizontal surface that you've not yet cleaned, such as horizontal trim over a window or door, collect a dust sample using clear tape, and have that checked by a forensic lab.

TEST KIT for DUST, MOLD, PARTICLES: INSTRUCTIONS https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Adhesive_Tape_Particle_Test.php

may be of help.

You can find an Asbestos test lab from a link we give in the EXPERTS DIRECTORY found at our page top links

On 2021-07-10 by (mod)

@Asbestos from wall joints on the floor,

here is just an example photo of how much mud could be left after doing the drywall and also after sanding the walls corners joints all the joint/mud dust must have be falling on the floor and they most likely didn't clean and just put glue and wood floor over top when building the condo in 1960.

On 2021-07-10 by Asbestos from wall joints on the floor

Company came 3 months ago to sand with a big sander/grinder moldy glue left from wood floor after a leak on concrete floor from 1960 condo.

I just now realized that there would most likely be lots of asbestos mud/joints drippings left on the concrete floor when they were building the condo and all the concrete and glue fine dust covered whole living room and kitchen.

The area was around 3mx3m right in the corner and next to windows where would be the most mud used. Most things were covered at least partly just plastic sheets thrown on top of them but not all and the bottoms of covered furniture had the find dust.

I wiped as much as possible but I am sure I was not able to wipe totally everything including some furniture, carpet, ceiling and the dust could still get to different spots, holes, closets, on textile blinders what were next to it, attached to my clothes while walking, might went to other rooms since the wiping of everything was not done right away, between baseboard heater what i cant wipe what are right there, kitchen and bathroom fans.

Do you think the amount of asbestos is dangerous? What would u please suggest? Since I wiped all visible dust I cant test it anymore. Thank you very much!

On 2021-06-12 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

Please find your recently-posted question(s) or comments along with our reply now at the Reader Q&A section near the bottom of the article above on this page. You may need to clear or refresh your browser cache to see the updated page. We welcome your further photos, comments, questions.

On 2021-06-04 by (mod) - stop damage to drywall corner

@Asbestos in joints wall,

IMO what you show is not an emergency and the total amount of dust produced is likely to be trivial;

but it would make sense to paint the damaged areas.

If you are constantly chipping off the wall corner, install a pvc or equivalent corner guard.

On 2021-06-01 by Asbestos in joints wall

we constantly accidentally scrape the corners in the 1970 condo. From what i read the corners will most likely have asbestos mud. Now if this happen, sometimes i realize it right away, sometimes much later few days or weeks after, do I have to be concerned?

What procedure should I do when that happens?

Do I need to wash all the clothes, coats, bed, shoes when this happen what were in that room and wipe all surfaces right away or just do nothing and dont worry about it. Including photo.

We have many scratches like that. Should it be painted right away? Thanks!

On 2021-06-04 - by (mod) -

@Asbestos in joints wall,

IMO what you show is not an emergency and the total amount of dust produced is likely to be trivial; but it would make sense to at least paint the damaged areas.

On 2021-06-01 by Mia

And would you be please able to tell me if there could be asbestos still in joints/mud on the walls? My neighbour gave me result from renovation company who was taking down her kitchen wall and they did the test. Kitchen plaster Layers: Paint 2%, White plaster 18%, grey cement/sand mixture 36%, paper 2%, gypsum 40%, paper 2% all none detected.

Now I am wondering if they only did the wall but they (either on purpose or they didnt take it from the right place)didnt took it from the place where is joint/mud compound what is from 1970 most likely asbestos? Is it possible to tell from the results if there was joint included? (I cant test the wall by myself as i cant do a hole in walls).

Thank you for reply! Yes I would say the surface is hard, its definitely painted, so hard to say if its hard from paint or its sand. If it would be sand paint, would that mean it might be really non asbestos in 1970? But would there be still asbestos joints/mud on that ceiling (if there is drywall,or just added to cement or something like that)? Is it possible to say from that lab result? Thanks!

On 2021-05-28 by (mod) - no asbestos in 1997 ceiling coatings in the U.S.

@Mia

That 1997 textured ceiling - well honestly I'm not sure what to name that texture; it's not what I'd call "popcorn", and it's obviously sprayed-on;

In any event nobody in North America would be expected to be spraying asbestos products on residential interior ceilings in 1997.

I can't say for certain but to me that looks like a sand paint textured ceiling not a popcorn spray-paint ceiling.

You could confirm that, probably, by noting that the individual nubbles on the surface are hard, like tiny stone, coated with paint; "Popcorn" ceiling texture material will show as mostly larger rounded bits, soft in texture and with more variation in size.

On 2021-05-28 by Anonymous

@Mia, this is the 1997 ceiling

On 2021-05-28 18:57:49.713496 by Mia

Hi,

1. I took sample of ceiling which looks to me like popcorn or sand, but not from the corner but from middle. Only 1 sample, test came back negative: Layers: white paint, white texture, grey cement mix - all asbestos non detected. I heard 1 sample is not enough though. Its a concrete highrise building from 1970 year in Canada.

Wondering if its possible that the ceiling doesnt contain asbestos, or more samples is needed (i dont own the place so have problem to get another sample). Is it possible to tell from layers if there was just cement aded on concrete and maybe those are non asbestos, or there could be drywall on concrete still with asbestos joints? Dont know if i took the sample right with all the layers.

2. My neighbour gave me result from renovation company who was taking down the kitchen wall and they did the test. Kitchen plaster Layers: Paint 2%, White plaster 18%, grey cement/sand mixture 36%, paper 2%, gypsum 40%, paper 2% all none detected. Now I am wondering if they only did the wall but they (either on purpose or they didnt take it from the right place)didnt took it from the place where is joint/mud compound what is from 1970 most likely asbestos?

Is it possible to tell from the results if there was joint included? (I cant test the wall by myself as i cant do a hole in the kitchen).

3. My family live in condo 1997 Canada and they were wiping moldy popcorn ceiling so it was falling of. Is it possible there was asbestos in this year? They dont own the place so again cant test it just wandering if they should be worried.
Thanks so much! I will add images, first with the 1970 ceiling, second with the 1997 ceiling.

On 2021-05-12 - by (mod) -

@Pipe wrappings,

That looks like a cellulose or plant fiber product.

On 2021-05-10 by Pipe wrappings

Hi,
I have some hot water radiator pipes that are wrapped with a paper filled with what looks like hair - I’m having a hard time finding such a product online and could use your help in determining if this should be of concern as the paper is dried out and breaking in part (exposing the hair like fibres inside). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

On 2021-05-04 by Mag

thank you very much ! I will get it tested before doing anything else than safely cleaning the dust (wet wipe + hepa vac)

This site is very helpful !

On 2021-05-04 - by (mod) -

@MAG,

Sure there is a chance that those materials contain asbestos - in an asphalt-asbestos mastic (black) or in other fireplace parts from 1962.

Damp wipe and HEPA vac - the dust.

On 2021-05-04 by MAG

Hello,

I noticed a hardened white paste on the 4 corners of an old fireplace steel facing (glass doors + grills). The material looks like some forme of paste / plaster and was painted black. I noticed a few areas where the material started breaking off and a few small pieces have been accumulating on the ground.

The house was build on 1962 but cannot say when this paste was potentially added. Is there a chance it can contain asbestos ?

On 2021-01-26 by (mod) - beware of asbestos-wrapped wood post in older homes

Looks like that is probably an asbestos paper wrap or an asbestos fabric wrap, perhaps installed as a fire resistance improvement?

On 2021-01-26 by Jony

1920s house basement Lumber on column is covered with this material. Cannot identify. Any clue?

On 2020-12-29 - by (mod) -

That mobile home belly insulation looks like fiberglass insulation, probably covered over with a fiberboard layer.

Wear personal protection equipment - HEPA respirator, etc. to avoid breathing dust, even when you don't find asbestos.

Your mobile home roof is almost certainly metal, but appears to have been coated at least once with a paint-on sealant; depending on how long ago that treatment was done, the paint could have contained asbestos.

It's not a friable material.

On 2020-12-29 by Heidi Smith

1963 manufactured home

Underbelly boards and insulation

It has to be re- done. How much caution I should use..in case it's both with asbestos

1963 manufactured home
Underbelly boards and insulation
It has to be re- done. How much caution I should use..in case it's both with asbestos

1963 manufactured home,
Multiple asbestos concerns
This picture shows the roof. Any idea if asbestos? Thanks

On 2020-12-29 by Heidi Smith

1963 manufactured home. Not sure if remodeling is worth it... asbestos concerns:
Armstrong urethane non wax tile, I found an original box in the cabinet

On 2020-11-08 - by (mod) -

Laura

Thank you for the interesting question and photo of a cementious filler in your 1989 storm door.

One cannot say with certainty from your photo whether or not that storm door contains asbestos, though steps to become more certain of the date would be helpful.

If this door was made / sold in North America and if your date is accurate, it would not be highly likely that the manufacturer used an asbestos or asbestos cement storm door filler, considering that most asbestos-containing products were out of production by 1986 or 1986. In fact alternatives to asbestos for use in fire rated doors were being offered a decade earlier or more, in the 1970s.

There was indeed, however, a long history of use of asbestos in doors that needed to be fire rated (Malmberg 1906, Olberg 1916) - not quite storm doors as you'll see. Examples include

Haff, Charles P. "Asbestos lumber cell door." U.S. Patent 1,954,290, issued April 10, 1934.
Excerpt: Among the several objects of this invention is first that of providing a door of a minimum number of elements, all formed of the asbestos cement composition, which therefore renders the door fireproof

Malmberg, Arvid J. "Metallic construction." U.S. Patent 836,885, issued November 27, 1906.

Olberg, Charles K. "Door." U.S. Patent 1,187,545, issued June 20, 1916.

Ropella, Leonard A. "Fireproof door construction." U.S. Patent 2,797,450, issued July 2, 1957.
Excerpt:
Preferably a lock block 24 is included in one side of the door, this block being composed of an incombustible material such as, for example, Asbestocore, which is composed of asbestos and cement.

Ropella, L.A., Champion International Corp, 1976. Three hour fire resistant door, panel or building element, and method of manufacturing the same. U.S. Patent 3,994,110.

On 2020-11-08 by Laura C

This is a metal storm door that is disintegrating. Vintage ca. 1989. Could this be asbestos?

On 2020-09-02 - by (mod) -

Seems unlikely - your photo looks like white pet hair or white carpet fibres or something similar.

On 2020-09-02 by Kat

Mystery fibers:

PS a bit of my dogs hair may be mixed in but those smaller fibers are what leaks from the bottom of the door.

On 2020-09-02 by Kat

Concerned about these fibers that constantly leak from the bottom of the fireproof door to my apartment. Is this asbestos? The building was built in 2000 but they may have been bought them used like the elevator which regularly goes out.
Thank you for you help 🙂

On 2020-08-10 by Jeff

Concerned about garage celling cement.
Home inspector said to just leave it alone and not scrape it.

On 2020-05-07 by (mod)

Anon: sorry, but no. Japanese cherry blossom dust is, if I understand your reference, pollen. Pollen grains have no resemblance to asbestos under the microscope.

For example, the photograph below left shows our Betua nigra pollen sample collected from the flower using adhesive tape and mounted in lacto phenol with a dash of cotton blue stain.

Details are at BIRCH POLLEN

See photos of asbestos under the microscope

at ASBESTOS UNDER the MICROSCOPE where you'll see this PLM photo of asbestos

On 2020-08-01 by Anonymous

Asbestos “Iooks” Iike Japanese cherry bIossom dust. May god speed.

On 2020-01-14 - by (mod) -

Kat

I'm sorry but the photo was a bit blurry I couldn't make out what I was seeing except that there is some fibrous material. What is the object that we are looking at and what are the country and city and age of building

On 2020-01-1 by Kat

Could someone confirm the panel at the back with grey patches is asbestos? It looks suspicious like fireproofing spray or a board.. thks for your help

On 2019-12-16 - by (mod) -

Of course - sorry that I was not more clear.

It would be highly unusual to encounter actual asbestos *fabric* laminated over a building's interior walls.

Rather I was addressing the composition of the gypsum board and joint compound that may contain asbestos.

On 2019-12-16 by Anonymous

It looks like linen. My painter assures me it's not asbestos but it was sort of a surprise when the paint started pulling off in sheets. Thank you for the response.

On 2019-12-13 - by (mod) -

Lauren

We cannot rule OUT that asbestos might have been used in the composition of your drywall, of joint compound, or of a fabric applied over it. Apologies but from the photo alone, I can't say a thing about the fabric itself. Was it jute? (Looks like a burlap bag material?) That's what my mom used over all of the cracking plaster in our old house in Richmond.

On 2019-12-13 by Lauren

I'm having my 1927-28 house interior painted and discovered that the plaster walls have a heavy fabric adhered to them.I'm assuming it served as a way to protect the walls from showing cracks (I live in an earthquake area) and possibly for insulation. It also turns out to have hidden some water damage. The painters pulled off a segment and I'm wondering if there was a product from that era that was made with asbestos. Do you know of such a product?

The photo shows a section of the wall where the fabric has been removed (the white plaster with some water damage).

On 2019-08-13 by (mod) -

RE-posting a Q&A from private email:

Anonymous asked:

... If i was to send you photos of the attic that could be asbestos would you be able to tell me if it is for sure or not?

Moderator reply:

Gee, I'd like to help, and I'll be glad to take a look at your photos, Kelli but I cannot answer your question in advance; for I have no idea what is in your attic nor what photos you'd send. It's like saying

If I send you a picture of a material can you tell me if it contains wool?

It depends. SOME materials can definitely be identified as asbestos, others can probably be identified as asbestos when supplemented with some basic information such as

- what is the material (flooring, insulation, etc)?

- what city and country locate the building where it's found?

- what is the age of the material or the building where it's found?

Please take a look at some of the asbestos photographs found above on this page, and for materials that you suspect may be asbestos, if they cannot immediately be identified as something else (e.g. fiberglass insulation), AND if you must disturb the material and cannot do so without making a dusty (hazardous) mess, THEN before disturbing the material, have a sample tested.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

Remember: Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA

 

On 2019-08-13 by (mod) - If i was to send you photos of the attic that could be asbestos would you be able to tell me if it is for sure or not?

RE-posting a Q&A from private email:

Anonymous asked:

... If i was to send you photos of the attic that could be asbestos would you be able to tell me if it is for sure or not?

Moderator reply:

Gee, I'd like to help, and I'll be glad to take a look at your photos, Kelli but I cannot answer your question in advance; for I have no idea what is in your attic nor what photos you'd send. It's like saying

If I send you a picture of a material can you tell me if it contains wool?

It depends. SOME materials can definitely be identified as asbestos, others can probably be identified as asbestos when supplemented with some basic information such as

- what is the material (flooring, insulation, etc)?

- what city and country locate the building where it's found?

- what is the age of the material or the building where it's found?

Please take a look at some of the asbestos photographs found above on this page, and for materials that you suspect may be asbestos, if they cannot immediately be identified as something else (e.g. fiberglass insulation), AND if you must disturb the material and cannot do so without making a dusty (hazardous) mess, THEN before disturbing the material, have a sample tested.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Test_Lab_Lists.php

Remember:

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA

On 2019-07-24 by (mod) - "asbestos is everywhere" ?

Not quite, Adam.

However it's correct that asbestos in various forms, fibers, even shorts and dust or asbestos waste, was used in a stunning range of products. Most of those are not friable and are not easily made into an asbestos hazard.


Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. - US EPA

So in most cases it's best to leave asbestos-containing or asbestos-suspect materials alone, covering them over where that's feasible, such as old flooring.

On 2019-07-24 by Adam

So
Pretty much.....Asbestos is everywhere!!! My thought....just enjoy your life!

On 2019-06-02 by (mod) - 1970s electric fire, twin bar asbestos?

Scott

You could perform an interesting experiment by collecting settled dust from a representative surface near the electric fire. Have them analyzed for asbestos. If you search this website for adhesive tape test or dust sampling methods you will see an easy way to do that

On 2019-06-01 by Scott armour

Ive a 1970s electric fire, twin bar in my privately rented apartment, it's beginning to degrade and am worried about it starting to emit fibres, what should I do
I'm also a retired civil engineer

IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2019-05-08 by (mod) - I have seen asbestos in plaster several times

Stevo

Thank you for the comment about your own experience finding instances of plaster that contained asbestos.

You probably saw in the page above that we have several articles confirming that finding as well. Any details that you can add would be helpful for other readers.

On 2019-05-08 by Stevo

I have seen asbestos in plaster several times, in fact we have some here now, signed 25 years Accredited Asbestos Inspector.

On 2019-04-24 by (mod) -

Thank you for commenting, Jim. We very much welcome comments and questions that help other readers.

As an experienced home inspector you have plenty to contribute.

I am careful about relying on reports like "I've never found X in ZZ years" since one individual's experience is never a scientifically sound basis for a sweeping conclusion. Therefore in my view your comment was spot on.

At ASBESTOS in PLASTER https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-in-Plaster.php

we discuss this question in detail and we list Companies whose plaster products contained asbestos.

So yes it's possible that Annie's plaster contains asbestos.

Nevertheless the health harm from panic may be greater than the potential exposure from a small one-incident exposure to a small amount of plaster dust. I'd want the dust cleaned up with damp wiping.

On 2019-04-23 by Jim Vaughn

@annie.simpson,
Hi Annie - can't definitely say there's no asbestos there - you'd have to get the material tested to make sure. The asbestos removal company I've worked with for about 30 years (I'm a home inspector) tells me they have never found asbestos in plaster.

On 2019-04-06 by (mod) -

Sorry Annie but I can't say from just the photo.

Avoid making a dusty mess and also try not to panic, it's a small area, and panic is perhaps the greater harm to your health.

On 2019-04-06 03:15:38.247513 by annie.simpson

Freaking out!!! Removed a light fixture in a house built in 1941 and found this. Is it asbestos plaster? Please help!

IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-12-19 by (mod) - did my plumber expose asbestos in this wall?

I don't know, Elizabeth. What I see in your photo looks like gypsum board.

See details at ASBESTOS in DRYWALL

On 2018-12-18 by Elizabeth

A plumber punched a hole in my wall today. The building is old. I live in the US. Should i be concerned?

On 2018-10-15 by Debra

I would like to see pictures of this

On 2018-09-08 by (mod) - asbestos metal mesh blankets

Joe I need a bit of help to be able to offer a sensible answer.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber not a metal mesh, so I'm unclear what a "metal mesh blanket" would be.

Asbestos-based fabrics, including blankets, look like a coarse-woven fabric.

For a photo example

see ASBESTOS DUCT VIBRATION DAMPENERS at https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Duct_Vibration_Dampeners.php

On 2018-09-05 by joe

what does asbestos metal mesh blankets look like

On 2018-07-02 by (Netherlands) - asbestos in plastic cable clamps used in the Netherlands

RE-posting as I accidentally deleted the original question and image:

AUTHOR:screen (no email)

COMMENT:I am an electronics engineer who frequently works on old audio gear in Netherlands.

Can anyone tell me if this look like asbestos ? It is a cable clamp found on a vintage turntable from 1970, maybe asbestos reinforced Phenolic resin ? It is mat (not shiny), very resistant but flexible.

Reply: (Moderator) said:

Thanks for the interesting question and photo, Screen.

There were asbestos-reinforced plastics, as we and Rostao discuss

at ASBESTOS in PLASTICS inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Plastics.php

though I'd expect that reinforcement to have been used in less-flexible components than a cable clamp like the one you show.

My OPINION is that even if your plastic cable clamp does contain asbestos, it's not a friable material. If you can avoid grinding, sawing, or other attacks on the cable clamp, and more considering the small total volume of material involved, then it seems to me that there could not be a measurable, meaningful release of asbestos. It's not a hazard.

On 2018-03-30 by Ree - asbestos in water mains, Hollywood Florida

I live in Hollywood, Florida. We are currently having all our water mains replaced. I believe the old ones had asbestos.

I'm not sure if the pipes had a lining or was it cement mixed with asbestos. The plan for the old pipes is to fill them with cement. Is this going to stop leaching to the environment/soil? I don't see how this is a fix.

On 2018-03-07 by (mod) -

Roy,

Probably not but I'd like to see a photo of the building and some closeup shots of the veneer. Use the picture frame icon to the right of the Comment button.

On 2018-03-06 by Roy

Looking at a house with a stucco-based faux brick veneer. House was probably built in the 1940s. Can I determine visually whether it contains asbestos? Thanks

On 2018-03-04 by john

@jongas,
can anyone on here tell me if this is asbestos as does not burn or melt or is it glass fibre

removed from the wall surrounding the flue on boiler around 1985 install date

On 2018-01-29 by (mod) -

Y2k

Done, as you asked

On 2018-01-29 by jdbliss

Planning to start renovation in basement of home built in early 1970's. Contractor found tile under carpet in room into which we plan to expand an existing bathroom (hence some demolition of floor will be required to install plumbing for new bathroom fixtures).

Was browsing photos on your website. Could not find an exact or close match.

See:

http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/y2kesq/House/Sample-of-basement-tile.jpg

Tiles are 9 x 9.

Do you recognize? Thoughts? Thanks, JD

On 2017-12-16 by (mod) -

Sanjay

Yep my phone over-corrects me too. But in this case it was Clark Van Oyen / Justin Chatfield who coded the Comment Box software to filter out words that they think are dirty, such as scraping. They rather over-reached themselves.

The risk from removing any small amount of asbestos-containing rope or fabric on a heater or appliance is probably very small and depends largely on the condition of the material (dry gaskets are not so friable) and on how badly the material is disturbed, chopped, sawn , ground, made into dust.

In my opinion it would make sense to minimize the dust by wetting the material.

On 2017-12-15 by sanjaykapur101

Damn this phone's Autocorrect ...S C R A P I N G off

On 2017-12-15 by sanjaykapur101

I mean "scraping" off dry gaskets

On 2017-12-15 by sanjaykapur101

HI

What is the risk of exposure to floating asbestos fibres when scraping off dry rope gaskets and stove cement from old cast iron stoves ? IF there is an appreciable risk what procedure would you recommend?

On 2017-12-12 by (mod) - What about that orange insulation usually in a black paper sleeve used as wall and ceiling insulation

J

I'm not sure what you're describing. Attach a photo if you can.

On 2017-12-12 y J

What about that orange insulation usually in a black paper sleeve used as wall and ceiling insulation

On 2017-12-12 by (mod) - Harrod brand wallboard asbestos?

Savannah

Your photos look like gypsum board.

If you can attach a photo showing the identifying marking, labeling, brands, etc. including the word Harrod that you cite we can research it. I have not found a specific "Harrod Gypsum Board" product nor company.

Where is your building? there are various companies using the name Harrod in construction, such as Dom Harrod Building in Singleton, New South Wales.

Please post a photo of the markings or stamps on your wallboard and we'll research it further.

On 2017-12-07 by Savannah

I’m curious about this material. It says Harrod on the side and is used on one part of the wall in my water heater closet in the garage

On 2017-12-12 by (mod) - orange insulation in black paper sleeve

J

I'm not sure what you're describing, but I suspect you're asking

about BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION

Attach a photo if you can.

On 2017-12-12 4 by J

What about that orange insulation usually in a black paper sleeve used as wall and ceiling insulation

On 2017-12-12 by (mod) - identifying asbestos hazard in drywall stamped with the word Harrod

Savannah

Your photos look like gypsum board.

If you can attach a photo showing the identifying marking, labeling, brands, etc. including the word Harrod that you cite we can research it. I have not found a specific "Harrod Gypsum Board" product nor company.

On 2017-12-07 by Savannah

I’m curious about this material. It says Harrod on the side and is used on one part of the wall in my water heater closet in the garage

On 2017-11-15 by (mod) - asbestos hazard risk from decorative plaster ceiling mouldings

IF the plaster was mixed in the '50's it could contain asbestos. You'd be prudent to treat it accordingly or if faced with a costly demolition, test a sample.

Just sitting there in place, undisturbed, and probably painted-over, there'd not be a measurable hazard of asbestos fiber release.

On 2017-11-15 by Tracy

Great resource and first rate research! We live in a home built in the early 1950's. It has decorative plaster mouldings and ceiling (hand applied, not sprayed). Do you have any information or insight on the potential for asbestos in the plaster? Thank you, Tracy

On 2017-09-19 by Bill

I live in the US, so I guess the chances are slim

On 2017-09-19 by (mod) - actual health hazards of asbestos-containing gas fireplace logs

Bill,

The answer depends largely on when and where the gas-logs were manufactured and sold. For example in the U.S. it would be highly unlikely to find asbestos gas-logs in 1991, but in some other countries such products may still have been marketed.

The U.S. CFR regulation I excerpt below had its first version published in the Congressional Record on 7 July 1983 - see the search I used given in citations now found at

GAS FIREPLACE LOG ASBESTOS https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Unusual.php

In the U.S. Title 16 › Chapter II › Subchapter B › Part 1305 › Section 1305.5

Thanks to Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute)

§ 1305.5 Findings.

(a)The degree and nature of the risk of injury.

The Commission finds that the risk of injury which this regulation is designed to eliminate or reduce is from cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Measurements are not available of the amounts of asbestos in the air from asbestos-containing emberizing materials in homes.

However, it appears that the amount of airborne asbestos in such homes would increase when air currents in the home are created by downdrafts from a fireplace chimney or other activities that stir air in any room.

Since emberizing materials may contain up to 50 percent asbestos, which if not permanently bound into artificial fireplace logs would be in respirable form, the risk associated with emberizing materials is considerable, especially since it continues to exist 24 hours a day.

(b)Products subject to the ban. Artificial emberizing materials are decorative simulated ashes or embers, used in certain gas-burning fireplace systems, which glow to give the appearance of real burning embers. The material is sprinkled on or glued to gas logs, or sprinkled on fireplace floors.

(c)Need of the public for the products and effects of the rule on their utility, cost, and availability. Artificial fireplace emberizing material serves a strictly decorative purpose and does not materially affect the actual performance of the fireplace gas system in terms of its ability to provide heat.

A certain degree of aesthetic desirability exists, however, since the product “system” itself (the gas log, ashes, and embers) is intended to simulate burning wooden logs. Gas logs may be sold with artificial emberizing material attached at the factory (the log commonly referred to as being “frosted”), or with the “embers” in a separate kit, often mixed with simulated “ashes.”

Virtually all gas logs are either frosted or packaged with an emberizing kit; however, the majority of gas logs produced in 1977 were packaged with non-asbestos-containing emberizing kits.

The Commission estimates annual sales of artificial gas logs at approximately 100,000 units. Some 25,000-30,000 of these would be subject to the ban. Approximately 100,000 gas logs frosted or treated by consumers with asbestos are estimated to be in existence.

The Commission believes that the majority of gas logs are sold with emberizing kits; this gives the consumer a choice as to whether or not to use the artificial embers and ashes.

(1)Utility. Manufacturers of artificial gas log emberizing material are currently using four substitutes for asbestos in their products: vermiculite, rock wool, mica, and a synthetic fiber. None of the four is claimed to be as aesthetically effective as asbestos. Thus, the utility derived by consumers from some gas-burning fireplace systems may be adversely affected.

I appreciate the question and will post the full text of the cited law under Gas Logs found in ASBESTOS in UNUSUAL PLACES https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Unusual.php

On 2017-09-19 by Bill - Is it likely that a 1991-93 gas fireplace has asbestos logs, rocks, or ashes?

Is it likely that a 1991-93 gas fireplace has asbestos logs, rocks, or ashes?

On 2017-08-16 by Anonymous

Sent you a email of the offending piece could you reply In the comments to me rather than email as I am unable to receive them

On 2017-08-16 by Emma

So our ceiling collapsed in one place a while back and we just boarded over most of it and cleaned the mess up. Unfortunately deeds are being held with solicitor after my partners mum died I didn't think much to it but now I am very concerned about it being asbestos and us

Living in a dangerous house for all this time without knowing have ordered a test kit but feel like it's too little too late we have had our baby in there and everything for nearly a year :( feeling absolutely devastated at the min.

Moved out the house now into caravan till our other conversion is done maybe someone may be able to give me a better idea of if it's likely to be or not maybe to put my mind at ease it has brown paper backing both sides and is grey in colour like concrete with small black flecks in.

It crumbles when pressure is applied to it. Praying it's not scared to death at min. :(

On 2017-08-05 by (mod) - is the insulation material in our shop asbestos?

Rusty,

I can't guess from your note, though if it's insulation from a roof cavity and it's so loose it "pours" out, it's probably either vermiculite (some of which contains asbestos) or another loose-fill insulation like mineral-wool or chopped fiberglass.

See this INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE article on how to identify insulation by visual inspection

https://inspectapedia.com/insulation/Insulation-Identification-Guide.php

On 2017-08-05 by rustyhook56

So a hole has formed on the backside of our shop and this substance is pouring out of it almost as if it was filled with it as an insulation any idea if this contains asbestos or not.

It's a vary fine salt and pepper looking power. I have a picture of it if there is a way to send it. We don't own the building but I would have to say it was probably built in the 70s to 80s

On 2017-07-18 by Karen

We are demolishing a cottage built in 1962, and the roofing and interior wall board systems have tested positive for chrysotile.

We had hoped to salvage our pine wood floor boards and stones from the fieldstone fireplace, but now I'm concerned whether the cement between the stones could contain any asbestos.

What would you think the likelihood would be of asbestos in the masonry cement? We'd have to chip it off the stones in order to reuse the stones on the property.

On 2017-06-25 by (mod) -

Sophie,

I don't have enough information to say, but depending on what is cracked, the heater may be unsafe

On 2017-06-25 by Sophie

I have a cracked wall heater and would like to know how can I repair it? Can I glue the two sides together? Or should I throw it away?
Thanks

On 2017-05-06 by (mod) - asbestos in gypsum door in an old school

Doors would not be made of gypsum - that's drywall, a material used on walls and ceilings. Doors might, for fire resistance have been covered with cement asbestos sheeting, depending on building age.

But no one of clear mind could certify whether or not the doors in your jobsite were "made of asbestos" from just an e-text, nor can we guess at your asbestos exposure.

In general, cement-asbestos products do not release high levels of asbestos dust into the air unless the cement-asbestos is being chopped, ground, cut, or otherwise disturbed.

On 2017-05-06 by John

I am doing volunteer work at a abandoned Catholic School. We were installing windows on classroom doors.

One of the volunteer, a contractor, leading the project initially claimed the doors were made of gypsum. He has since changed his mind and told us it was asbestos.

I did not install the windows to the doors, but I did sweep and clear the floors, afterwards. In total, I estimate that I had direct exposure to the material in the door for about 3 hours per day over 10 days.

My question is: Is the fire door made of asbestos? And should I be worried about my exposure?

Many thanks for an answer. Just want to have peace of mind.

On 2017-04-25 by (mod) - some asbestos products are still permitted today

Thanks Tyler, that's right, though incomplete; the bans on materials are sometimes more specific - so some uses are banned while others are permitted.

On 2017-04-25 by Tyler

You comment that asbestos was banned in 1990... but that was reversed and asbestos containing materials can still be used today.

Lead was banned from construction materials in the 90s and that ban is still in effect. Please note that this applies to the USA.

On 2017-04-21 by (mod) - age and location of a building help determine if it might harbor asbestos-containing products

Eric:

How old is the house? Where is it located - country, city, state or province? If it's a North American home built in the 70's you may be looking at UFFI insulation (search InspectApedia for that term to see photos).

YOu can also use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to find our email to send photos for comment.

On 2017-04-21 by Eric b

Im working on a house that cought on fire we have the house tore apart to the studs now we just took the dry wall ceilings down on top of the insilation

theres this white powdery substance all on top of the insilation wene i got up there it was a hole bunch of light white bricks on top of the insulation that wene u touch break apart

could this be asbestos mabey wene it comes down the whole structure gets cloudy and impossible to breath or c weve been wearing respirator masks

On 2017-04-20 by (mod) - asbestos in 1960 decorative breeze concrete blocks

I don't know, Joann; adding asbestos to normal residential construction concrete blocks would have been a bit odd but we don't really know what or where the blocks are or their source.

If you like, use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send some sharp photos and we can post those for research.

On 2017-04-19 by Joann

I have from about early 1960 decorative breeze concrete blocks my grandfather built the fence with them they are 12"x12" would they contain asbestos? Auntjo1960@gmail.com

On 2017-03-19 by (mod) -

what's close to the "dpm" - sorry?

You're welcome to use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send photos

On 2017-03-19 by becky colquhoun

1930's bungalow: We found a couple of white brick shaped blocks in the wall construction close to the dpm by the location of the old front door, very cementacious and chalky.

I was wonderinging if this was a cheap filler block used where space was a premium, else where is breeze block, or a fire brick or similiar, I am wondering if it is likely to contain asbestos. I have photos if needed.

On 2017-02-08 by Anonymous

I have brown colored fiberboard in the exterior walls of my home (under the stucco). The home was built in 1983 (in Colorado). I do not yet know the brand name. Is there a possibility that it contains asbestos?

On 2017-01-30 by Elsie

In the 1960's teachers in some school districts in BC were provided with bags of shredded asbestos to use as a craft supply.

We mixed it with wall paper paste and water to make a moldable substance that could be used to make puppet heads etc. Sometimes the young students would help us mix up the materials, shaking the loose, shredded asbestos from the bag into a bucket where it would be mixed up with the wall paper paste and water.

On 2017-01-19 by Gary - Did cookers have asbestos in their hot plate insulation covers

Did the above cookers have asbestos in their hot plate insulation covers

On 2016-12-09 by (mod) - asbestos wall insulation?

John, please use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me some photos if you like: of the insulation, paper backing, interior.
IT sounds like a cellulose/paper product.

Yes there are asbestos papers and some insulation products specifically used asbestos paper as part of fire resistance, but that's not a product I've come across as common in residential construction.

On 2016-12-09 by John D.

I found some wall insulation that looks like paper (very old) - it has a black paper backing and the folded paper that makes up the bulk of the insulation is light brown. From everything that I've read and been told it is not asbestos, but has anyone ever heard of asbestos in a light paper form?

On 2013-03-23 by (mod) - asbestos sprayed on inside of barn roof

Jennifer,

Yes if you are right that it's a loose friable asbestos-containing insulation, falling from the ceiling, it is a potential hazard, especially so when conditions are dry and thus it is going to be sent airborne during barn cleaning procedures. Seems your employer might want to have an expert check the situation.

On 2013-03-23 by Jenifer

I have recently started working at a barn that has a very large covered arena, with asbestos sprayed inside the roof, I am guessing for radiant protection. All of the stalls inside this area also have it. It is flaking off and gets on our boots, all over the ground, etc. Is there any danger in this? This structure is over 30 years old...

On 2013-02-17 by Julie Antenucci - faux brick wall knocked down - maybe an asbestos hazard

We remodeled our family room in our home built in 1966. The faux brick wall separating our dinette from our family room was knocked down by my 10-year-old son without my knowledge. He is a very helpful child and he did this while his dad was at work and I was taking a nap (I was sick).

Now I'm worried he may have been exposed to asbestos. He tells me the wall came down in large chunks and then later, when his dad came home, they both put the pieces in garbage bags and put them in the trash. Do you think they were BOTH exposed to asbestos? Thank you for your reply.

On 2012-12-12 by RichardD - I use a HEPA vacuum to clean up fireplace brick mortar dust

I'm in a rental building that was built in the 20's (I'm told). We have a working fireplace in the living room where some of the mortar is starting to break down. Not in a major way, but small bits and pieces occasionally. So we've stopped using the fireplace out of concerns it will further deteriorate,

I have a hepa vacuum and I've been occasionally vacuuming out the hearth to pick up the smaller particles. My concern is regarding asbestos in the mortar. The interior mortar appears to be somewhat different than the mortar on the outside of the fireplace, a bit rougher and more sandy.

Should I be concerned about this? I'm sure my landlord would pay for testing, but I don't want to raise a red flag if the risk level is low to non-existent. ... I imagine abatement would be tough also, other than painting the entire thing....

On 2012-11-28 by (mod) -

Rhi
A 1970's pillow that is yellow fiber material does not sound like asbestos to me.
If you want to send a sample to our lab we will take a look, pro Bono, but I won't see it until January.

On 2012-11-28 by (mod) -

Dawn,
Quite possibly. Can you send us some sharp photos? Use the CONTACT US link if you can, and I will comment further.

On 2012-11-28 by Dawn

My workplace office has old fireproof filing cabinets--probably at least 30 years old. When you pull the drawers open you can see a base of what looks like gyp rock, some of which is scraped and crumbling, and around the inner door facings is a white material. Would this likely be asbestos?

On 2012-11-14 by Rhi

I recently cut open an old pillow, wanting to reuse the stuffing since it was so soft and only the cover was damaged and worn. I couldn't identify the stuffing (wasn't the usual poly-fil). It looked yellow and fibrous. Were asbestos used as pillow stuffing in the past? The pillow is an antique store find, probably from the 70s.

On 2012-10-17 by Nell

I just had my pool refinished. We moved into this house about 2 years ago and it was built in 1996. The pool had the original marcite in it before we refinished it. When the workers were here I asked a lot of questions and they told me that even into the 90's Asbestos was being put into the plaster for swimming pools in my area...(florida)

Now I am nervous because they were out here cutting the old marcite and stuff was flying everywhere and they acted like it was no big deal.. reminding me that they had been plastering pools for 30 years and they are still alive. (gee thanks)!

Is it possible that my pool and deck (made of somre sort of concrete, or plaster) could contain asbestos??? I have 3 kids so now I am worried.

On 2012-10-08 by (mod) - asbestos in plastic dinner-ware?

Kelli, plastic dinnerware containing asbestos is a new one for me. What is the source of that assertion? If you can find a source I'll be glad to research it, though the combination of modern plastic with asbestos is counter intuitive.

On 2012-10-07 by Kelli Heasley

I have heard that at one time plastic dinnerware was made containing asbestos? Any information on this?

On 2012-08-15 by Cathy

We are purchasing a house built in 1930. In the pantry the walls and ceiling are covered with small white tiles that look like they have grout around them. There had been a water leak and the ceiling is letting go and needs to be taken down. Is there any concern for asbestos?

On 2012-05-25 by (mod) - worried about asbestos in cinder-blocks

Anon, we don't have a lot of citations for asbestos use in concrete blocks or "cinder blocks" - an older type of concrete block that included ash or cinder waste in its composition. You'd need to have a sample of the material tested by a sharp asbestos test lab to know what materials were present in your particular masonry blocks.

Keep us posted on what you find, and I'll also continue to research this question.

Some law-firm-sponsored "mesothelioma" websites the assert that asbestos was used in masonry cements and that chysotile asbestos was used. A citation included Bowker, Michael. Fatal Deception: The Untold Story of Asbestos (New York: Touchstone, 2003).

The CDC's ATSDR website listing of where asbestos was found in the workplace, cites "lightweight aggregate construction materials (such as concrete blocks)" as possibly containing asbestos.

In sum it's possible that your block wall was built of masonry blocks that contained asbestos, more likely chrysotile in form.

On 2012-05-22 by Anonymous

I had someone help me remove a small brick wall from my kitchen. It was cynder block with a cement wall over top.

The cynder block was solid dark grey with a rough almost pourous texture. Home was built in the 1920's. Trying to find out if I was exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos and what kind. Was crocidolite used in dark grey cynderblocks? It had sort of a cottage cheese texture.

On 2012-05-07 by Michelle Lucchese

did builders use asbestos fiber-like felt sheets under aluminum siding in the 1950s for insulation?

...

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