Does drywall or drywall finish system products contain asbestos?

This article shares the research on asbestos content in drywall, gypsum board products, joint compound, drywall mud, textured coatings and other drywall finish systems.

Our page top photo shows the installing and finishing of drywall in a northern Minnesota home in 2021. 

Asbestos content in drywall, gypsum board, joint compound, & drywall finish systems

Modern drywall and taping compound do not contain asbestos. However that was not always the case, and the research references are listed below.

Principally you'll find that references to asbestos in a drywall system focus on asbestos that was contained in joint compound or in some paint or spray products such as "popcorn ceiling paint" that may have been sprayed on drywall ceilings.

Keep in mind that asbestos-containing joint compound may have been applied not only up to 18" wide over drywall joints but also in patches, repairs, around penetrations or fixtures, and in some buildings as a skim coat over an entire wall or ceiling surface.

For a more complete review of the actual level of asbestos found in drywall systems

see ASBESTOS CONTENT IN DRYWALL AND JOINT COMPOUND

Research Documenting the Asbestos Content in Joint Compound & Gypsum Board or Drywall Finish Systems

At left, a Gypsolite wallboard advertisement from 1926. Gypsolite, first mentioned in building products in 1888, is currently a registered trademark of National Gypsum and is discussed separately

at NATIONAL GYPSUM DRYWALL ASBESTOS?

[Click to enlarge any image]

Some gypsum board or drywall products may have contained asbestos and asbestos was also commonly used in joint compound and other drywall or gypsum board coatings.

Chrysotile asbestos content in drywall compound includes

• Boelter, Fred W., Yulin Xia, and Linda Dell. COMPARATIVE RISKS OF CANCER FROM DRYWALL FINISHING BASED ON STOCHASTIC MODELING OF CUMULATIVE EXPOSURES TO RESPIRABLE DUSTS AND CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS FIBERS [PDF] Risk Analysis 35, no. 5 (2015): 859-871.
  Abstract:
  Sanding joint compounds is a dusty activity and exposures are not well characterized. Until the mid 1970s, asbestos-containing joint compounds were used by some people such that sanding could emit dust and asbestos fibers.
  
  We estimated the distribution of 8-h TWA concentrations and cumulative exposures to respirable dusts and chrysotile asbestos fibers for four worker groups: (1) drywall specialists, (2) generalists, (3) tradespersons who are bystanders to drywall finishing, and (4) do-it-yourselfers (DIYers).
  
  Data collected through a survey of experienced contractors, direct field observations, and literature were used to develop prototypical exposure scenarios for each worker group.
  
  To these exposure scenarios, we applied a previously developed semi-empirical mathematical model that predicts area as well as personal breathing zone respirable dust concentrations.
  
  An empirical factor was used to estimate chrysotile fiber concentrations from respirable dust concentrations.
  
  On a task basis, we found mean 8-h TWA concentrations of respirable dust and chrysotile fibers are numerically highest for specialists, followed by generalists, DIYers, and bystander tradespersons; these concentrations are estimated to be in excess of the respective current but not historical Threshold Limit Values.
  
  Due to differences in frequency of activities, annual cumulative exposures are highest for specialists, followed by generalists, bystander tradespersons, and DIYers.
  
  Cumulative exposure estimates for chrysotile fibers from drywall finishing are expected to result in few, if any, mesothelioma or excess lung cancer deaths according to recently published risk assessments. Given the dustiness of drywall finishing, we recommend diligence in the use of readily available source controls.
• Brorby, G. P., P. J. Sheehan, D. W. Berman, K. T. Bogen, and S. E. Holm. "Exposures from Chrysotile‐Containing Joint Compound: Evaluation of New Model Relating Respirable Dust to Fiber Concentrations." Risk Analysis 33, no. 1 (2013): 161-176.
• Phelka, Amanda D., and Brent L. Finley. "Potential health hazards associated with exposures to asbestos-containing drywall accessory products: A state-of-the-science assessment." Critical reviews in toxicology 42, no. 1 (2012): 1-27.
• Sheehan, Patrick J., Gregory P. Brorby, D. Wayne Berman, Kenneth T. Bogen, and Stewart E. Holm. "Chamber for testing asbestos-containing products: validation and testing of a re-created chrysotile-containing joint compound." Annals of occupational hygiene (2011): mer048.

Research on Asbestos Content in Drywall, Gypsum Board Products, Joint Compound, Drywall Mud, Textured Coatings

Research on Health Hazards from Amphibole & Chrysotile Asbestos

Asbestos in Drywall or gypsum board products & asbestos content in drywall joint compound, drywall "mud", and textured coatings; includes Chrysotile asbestos, the most common form of asbestos found in products, especially in buildings (serpentine mineral with sheet or layered structure).

• Asbestos in Joint Compound, Bondex: [Note that asbestos was commonly used in other brands of joint compound as well.]

  Bondex manufactured a joint compound that was commonly used on construction sites during the installation of drywall. From 1961 to 1977, Bondex joint compound contained asbestos. -
  
  retrieved 15 June 2015 original source: www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=54841 [LOIS J. WAGNER, ROBIN G. ) WAGNER and WENDE L. WAGNER, ) Individually and as Wrongful Death ) Beneficiaries of ROBERT WAGNER, ) ) Appellant-Respondent, ) ) WD72474 (Consolidated with WD72482 v. ) and WD72619) ) BONDEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., and ) Opinion filed: June 19, 2012 SIMPSON TIMBER COMPANY, ) ) Respondent-Appellant, ) ) CONWED CORPORATION, ) ) Defendant. ) APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI The Honorable Kathryn E. Davis, Judge Before Division Four: Lisa White Hardwick, Chief Judge, Presiding, Joseph M. Ellis, Judge and Victor C. Howard, Judge]
  
  See details at SIMPSON CEILING TILES

• ASBESTOS in BESTWALL GYPSUM BOARD
• ASBESTOS in BONDEX DRYWALL COMPOUND
• ASBESTOS in CANADIAN CGC DRYWALL? - USG-Canada
• ASBESTOS in CANADIAN DRYWALL

• ASBESTOS in CERTAINTEED DRYWALL
• ASBESTOS in CANADIAN DOMTAR GYPROC DRYWALL? - GYPROC
• ASBESTOS in GLA - GYPSUM LIME & ALABASTINE CO. DRYWALL?

Above: Gyproc FIREGUARD GYPSUM BOARD UL Classified R8742 Wallboard Type S, Issue No. C-3189, 5/8", by Domtar Gypsum

The site of Domtar's Cornwall paper mill, first built in 1881 and sold to Paris Holdings in 2006, aka "the Big Ben Landfill And Recreation Area" receives demolition waste and "asbestos from the decommissioned mill". - Wikipedia retrieved 2020/01/04, original https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domtar

• ATSDR, WHO IS AT RISK of EXPOSURE to ASBESTOS? [PDF] ATSDR, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, retrieved 2022/06/04, original source: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/asbestos/who_is_at_risk.html
• Australia, CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS FACT SHEET [PDF] (2019) Australian Government, Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, retrieved 2022/06/04, original source: https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/what-we-do/news-and-announcements/chrysotile-asbestos-fact-sheet
  Excerpts:
  Is ‘responsible and safe’ use [of chrysotile asbestos] possible?
  
  No. Chrysotile is hazardous to human health, as it can cause cancer and other diseases.
  
  There is no evidence that a safe threshold exists (or minimum exposure level) to prevent the adverse health effects of the use of asbestos.
  
  As there is no known level of exposure that would prevent the likelihood of asbestos-related diseases occurring, the risk to human health now and in the future when the asbestos is disturbed or deteriorates is unacceptable.
  
  With no known safe level of exposure, use in ‘controlled’ environments is not feasible as the risk of exposure cannot be eliminated.
  
  Workplaces can put measures in place that can minimise exposure risk, using a hierarchy of controls, but these will not prevent exposure completely unless the asbestos (or the hazard) is eliminated.
  
  The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers asbestos as ‘one of the most important occupational carcinogens’ (WHO, 2014). Asbestos—including chrysotile—causes mesothelioma; cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries; asbestosis (fibrosis or scarring of the lungs); and pleural disease such as plaques, thickening or effusion (leaking of fluid).
  
  The WHO recommended that elimination of asbestos-related diseases became a focus from 2003, in the 13th session of the joint International Labour Organization (ILO) / WHO Committee on Occupational Health.
• Boelter, Fred W., Yulin Xia, and Linda Dell. "Comparative Risks of Cancer from Drywall Finishing Based on Stochastic Modeling of Cumulative Exposures to Respirable Dusts and Chrysotile Asbestos Fibers." Risk Analysis (2014).
• Chatterjee, Mainak, and Kunal Roy. "Recent advances on modelling the toxicity of environmental pollutants for risk assessment: from single pollutants to mixtures." Current Pollution Reports 8, no. 2 (2022): 81-97.
• DAP PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT JOINT COMPOUND SDS [PDF] DAP Products Inc. 2400 Boston Street Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21224-4723 USA, - retrieved 2022/10/25
• Dahlgren, James, and Trevor Peckham. "Mesothelioma associated with use of drywall joint compound: a case series and review of literature." International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 18, no. 4 (2012): 337-343.
  
  Abstract excerpt:
  
  Drywall joint compound contained asbestos fibers, primarily chrysotile, in the 1950s through the 1970s.
  
  Workers in a variety of construction trades and homeowners were exposed to respirable asbestos from the use of these products, including during handling, mixing, sanding, and sweeping.
  
  Disturbance of in-place asbesto-containing joint compound continues to be a potential source of exposure during demolition or repair of wallboard.
  
  Studies from the 1970s and 1980s report air fiber measurements above current and historic regulatory limits during intended usage, and typical asbestos-related disease in drywall construction workers.
• HEALTH CONSULTATION, DOMTAR GYPSUM AMERICAN, INC., 801 Minaker Drive Antioch, Contra Costa County, California Epa Facility Id Cad089182810 May 7, 2008, [PDF] U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency For Toxic Substances And Disease Registry, Division Of Health Assessment And Consultation, Atlanta, Georgia 30333 Contact ATSDR 1-800-CDC-INFO http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

• IGNIFUGE GYPSUM BOARD ASBESTOS? [web article]
• Jacobs, Neva FB, Kevin M. Towle, Brent L. Finley, and Shannon H. Gaffney. "AN UPDATED EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURES TO ASBESTOS-CONTAINING DRYWALL ACCESSORY PRODUCTS." Critical Reviews in Toxicology 49, no. 5 (2019): 430-444.
  Abstract
  
  Following a previously published (2012) evaluation of the potential health hazards related to the use of asbestos-containing drywall accessory products, additional information regarding asbestos exposures during the use of accessory products, as well as studies of chrysotile asbestos risk as a function of exposure, have been published in the peer-reviewed literature.
  
  The purpose of this analysis is to update the original evaluation with this new information. It was previously estimated that a professional drywaller performing joint compound-associated tasks could have a lifetime cumulative chrysotile exposure of 12-26 f/cc-year.
  
  Using conservative assumptions regarding airborne asbestos levels during different drywalling tasks, task duration, and job tenure, we found that a range of 4.3-36.3 f/cc-year is a plausible estimate of a career drywaller's cumulative asbestos exposure from historical joint compound use. The estimated range for bystander exposures would be below (sometimes significantly below) this range depending on the frequency and duration of work near drywallers.
  
  Further, the estimated drywaller and bystander total fiber exposures were well below a recently published "no-observed adverse effect level, best estimate" for predominately chrysotile exposures of 89-168 f/cc-year for lung cancer and 208-415 f/cc-year for mesothelioma.
  
  We also determined that, even if the chrysotile or possibly talc ingredients in the drywall products had contained asbestiform tremolite, the cumulative tremolite exposures would have been well below a recently published tremolite no-effect level of 0.5-2.6 f/cc-year.
  
  Based on our calculations, typical drywall work using asbestos-containing drywall accessory products is not expected to increase the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma.
  
  These conclusions are consistent with the lack of epidemiological evidence that drywall work resulted in an increased incidence of asbestos-related disease in the drywall trades.
  
  Conclusions:
  Using conservative assumptions regarding airborne asbestos levels during different drywalling tasks, task duration, and job tenure, we found that a range of 4.3–36.3 f/cc-year is a plausible estimate of a career drywaller's cumulative chrysotile exposure from historical joint compound use.
  
  These estimated exposures were well below a recently published chrysotile NOAEL of 89–168 f/cc-year for lung cancer and 208–415 f/cc-year for mesothelioma.
  
  We also determined that, if the chrysotile or talc ingredients in the drywall products had contained asbestiform tremolite, the cumulative tremolite exposures would have been well below a recently published tremolite NOAEL of 0.5–2.6 f/cc-year.
  
  As only total fiber (PCM) air data are available for the mixing, application, and clean-up tasks commonly associated with joint compound use, we would expect that actual asbestos fiber exposures would be lower than the values presented in this analysis.
  
  We did not find an elevated epidemiological risk for drywallers, likely due to the fact that this trade had low exposures to chrysotile asbestos.
• Elden, Howard S. "Dry powder for wallboard joint treatment." U.S. Patent 3,303,147, issued February 7, 1967. Original Assignee: Nat Gypsum Co.
  
  Excerpt: Fillers The limestone, bentonite clay, mica and asbestos are primarily fillers, each, however, contributing varying working qualities to the mud formed when water is added to the powder composition of the invention. All function in part as pigments. The bentonite clay tends to hold water and contribute to the working properties of the mud.
  
  The mica improves crack resistance. Asbestos provides a control of the amount of slip, or conversely, the pull, when trowelling the mud. The fineness of the limestone, clay and asbestos, as well as the plaster, is 100% minus 100 mesh and at least 50% minus 325 mesh. The fineness of the mica is 99% minus 100 mesh.
• Fischbein, Alf, Arthur N. Rohl, Arthur M. Langer, And Irving J. Selikoff. "Drywall Construction And Asbestos Exposure." The American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal 40, No. 5 (1979): 402-407.
  
  Abstract:
  The rapid development of the drywall construction trade in the United States is described. It is estimated that some 75,000 U.S. construction workers are currently employed in this trade.
  
  The use of a variety of spackle and taping compounds is shown to be associated with significant asbestos exposure; air samples taken in the breathing zone of drywall tapers during sanding of taping compounds show fiber concentrations exceeding, by several times, the maximum level permitted by United States Government regulations.
  
  These findings are given together with the result of a clinical field survey of drywall construction workers demonstrating that asbestos disease may be an important health hazard in this trade.
• Fischbein A, Langer AM, Suzuki Y, Selikoff IJ. Carcinoma of the lung in a drywall taping worker report of a case. Toxicology Letters. 1978 Oct 31;2(4):231-6.
• Health Canada:
  
  Excerpt:
  ... To minimize risk of inhaling airborne asbestos, homeowners should receive expert advice before removing any materials that may contain asbestos removing any materials that may contain asbestos.
  
  ... If handling small amounts of damaged asbestos-containing materials, homeowners should follow a series of steps including sealing off the work area, wetting the material, avoiding cutting, breaking or damaging the material, wearing protective clothing including a single-use respirator, sealing the waste in plastic bags, and disposing of the waste according to municipal regulations.
• Neva F. B. Jacobs, Kevin M. Towle, Brent L. Finley & Shannon H. Gaffney (2019) AN UPDATED EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURES TO ASBESTOS-CONTAINING DRYWALL ACCESSORY PRODUCTS [PDF] Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 49:5, 430-444, DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1639612 - retrieved 2022/10/25, original source: tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10408444.2019.1639612?needAccess=true
  
  Excerpt: Based on our calculations, typical drywall work using asbestos-containing drywall accessory products is not expected to increase the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma.
  
  These conclusions are consistent with the lack of epidemiological evidence that drywall work resulted in an increased incidence of asbestos-related disease in the drywall trades.

• Lange JH, Thomulka KW. An evaluation of personal airborne asbestos exposure measurements during abatement of dry wall and floor tile/mastic. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2000 Mar 1;10(1):5-19.
• NATIONAL GYPSUM DRYWALL ASBESTOS? [web article]
• NIH, ASBESTOS EXPOSURE and CANCER RISK [PDF] U.S. NIH, National Institute of Health, NCI, National Cancer Institute, retrieved 2022/06/04, original source: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet
  Excerpts:
  Asbestos is the name given to six minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads for use in commercial and industrial applications.
  
  These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been used widely in many industries. Additional asbestos-like minerals are found in the natural environment, including erionite.
  
  Chemically, asbestos minerals are silicate compounds, meaning they contain atoms of silicon and oxygen in their molecular structure.
  ...
  Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2, 3, 7, 8).
  
  According to IARC, there is sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen), and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary (8). In fact, it is thought that most mesotheliomas are due to asbestos exposure (9).
  
  There is limited evidence that asbestos exposure is linked to increased risks of cancers of the stomach, pharynx, and colorectum (8).
  
  Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis (an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage) and other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, including pleural plaques (changes in the membranes surrounding the lung), pleural thickening, and benign pleural effusions (abnormal collections of fluid between the thin layers of tissue lining the lungs and the wall of the chest cavity).
  
  Although pleural plaques are not precursors to lung cancer, evidence suggests that people with pleural disease caused by exposure to asbestos may be at increased risk for lung cancer (2, 10).
  
  Erionite has also been classified as a known human carcinogen by IARC (8) and by HHS (3). It is not currently regulated by the EPA.
• Oberta, Andrew F., MPH, CIH, "Wallboard: It's more than joint compound", [presentation], Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH The Environmental Consultancy 900 Route 620 South, Suite C101, M/S 101 Austin, TX 78734 (512) 266-1368 andyobe@aol.com www.asbestosguru-oberta.com, retrieved 2015/12/11, original source: http://www.asbestosguru-oberta.com/Wallboard.html
• Phelka, Amanda D., and Brent L. Finley. "Potential health hazards associated with exposures to asbestos-containing drywall accessory products: A state-of-the-science assessment." Critical reviews in toxicology 42, no. 1 (2012): 1-27.
• Pinchin, Don, "A Canadian Perspective on Asbestos Precautions for the Removal of Drywall with Asbestos-Containing Drywall Joint Compound (ACDJC)", [Presentation] (2011), Pinchin Environmental, Website: www.pinchin.com, Tel: 1-855-PINCHIN, retrieved 2015/12/11, original source: http://www.chba.ca/uploads/CRC/May%202011/Asbestos%20Presentation%20-%20May%202011.pdf
• Santmyers, R.M., THE CANADIAN GYPSUM INDUSTRY, [PDF] Information Circular, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Mines, Circular NO. 6162, August 1929, retrieved 2019/01/04, original source: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc784355/m2/1/high_res_d/metadc784355.pdf
  
  Possibly significantly, the word "asbestos" does not appear in this document.
• SHEETROCK® LIGHTWEIGHT ALL PURPOSE JOINT COMPOUND TINTED PLUS 3™ READY MIXED SDS [PDF], United States Gypsum, 550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3637, USA, retrieved 2022/10/25
• Stayner, Leslie T., DavidA Dankovic, and RichardA Lemen. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS AND CANCER RISK: A REVIEW OF THE AMPHIBOLE HYPOTHESIS [PDF] American Journal of Public Health 86, no. 2 (1996): 179-186.
  
  OBJECTIVES. This article examines the credibility and policy implications of the "amphibole hypothesis," which postulates that
  
  (1) the mesotheliomas observed among workers exposed to chrysotile asbestos may be explained by confounding exposures to amphiboles, and
  
  (2) chrysotile may have lower carcinogenic potency than amphiboles.
  
  METHODS. A critical review was conducted of the lung burden, epidemiologic, toxicologic, and mechanistic studies that provide the basis for the amphibole hypothesis.
  
  RESULTS. Mechanistic and lung burden studies do not provide convincing evidence for the amphibole hypothesis.
  
  Toxicologic and epidemiologic studies provide strong evidence that chrysotile is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Chrysotile may be less potent than some amphiboles for inducing mesotheliomas, but there is little evidence to indicate lower lung cancer risk.
  
  CONCLUSIONS. Given the evidence of a significant lung cancer risk, the lack of conclusive evidence for the amphibole hypothesis, and the fact that workers are generally exposed to a mixture of fibers, we conclude that it is prudent to treat chrysotile with virtually the same level of concern as the amphibole forms of asbestos.
• U.K. Drywall Asbestos: asbestos would not be expected to be found in drywall or gypsum board sold in the U.K. after the mid 1980s, or to be safest and to respect the most-conservative of the UK information sources we've found, drywall in the UK as well as joint compound in the UK may contain asbestos if it was made up to 1990.
  
  Asbestos would not be expected in any UK products sold after 1999 when the UK banned all forms of asbestos.
  
  the importation, supply and use of all asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999; the amphibole type has been banned since 1985 - source cited below
  
  UK ASBESTOS GENERAL GUIDANCE [PDF] U.K. Government, Department of Public Health, England - original source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asbestos-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/asbestos-general-information
  
  
• U.S. EPA, ASBESTOS NESHAP CLARIFICATION REGARDING ANALYSIS OF MULTI-LAYERED SYSTEMS [PDF] (1995) retrieved 2021/05/31 original source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-12-19/pdf/95-30790.pdf
  
  Excerpt: This document provides clarification regarding the requirements of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos.
  
  It is intended to address common questions regarding situations where one or more layers which may contain asbestos are present, and supplement the January 5, 1994 Federal Register clarification (59 FR 542). EFFECTIVE DATE: December 19, 1995
• U.S. EPA, ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME [PDF] (2020) later version of the original, (below) printed by InspectApedia.com
• U.S. EPA, ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME [PDF] (1990), retrieved (anew) 2015/12/10, original source: http://www.epa.gov/region8/asbestos-your-home -
  Note: by 2021/05/31 the US EPA website no longer provides asbestos hazard management information at the link given above. The page had been removed from public access. A more-legible version is given just above.
  
  Excerpt:
  The building industry uses, or has used, thousands of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) such as roofing and siding, fire protection material, residential building materials, heating and electrical wire insulation, appliance components, sheet flooring, ceiling and floor tile, caulk and drywall.
  
  As late as 1989, the use of asbestos products in the U.S. exceeded 55,000 tons per year.
  
  Asbestos in the materials used in new construction is almost always chrysotile asbestos and is not related to the Grace mine.
  
  With the exception of the contaminated vermiculite discussed above, the biggest asbestos health threat in homes is from older ACMs, such as pipe wrap and furnace insulation, ceiling tiles, ceiling and wall texture, fireproofing and wallboard.
  
  These materials are easily flaked (friable) and can be damaged, allowing asbestos fibers to be released.
  
  Other ACMs that are less friable and present a smaller hazard are floor tiles, linoleum, asphalt roofing and cement asbestos siding. If ACMs in your home are in good shape and are not in danger of being damaged, it may be best to just leave them alone.
• U.S. EPA, PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM EXPOSURES TO ASBESTOS [PDF] (2013) U.S. EPA Environmental Protection Agency, retrieved 2021/05/31 original source: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos#whattodo
• U.S. EPA, RISK EVALUATION for ASBESTOS, PART I: CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS [PDF] (2020) U.S. EPA Environmental Protection Agency, retrieved 2022/06/04, original source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/documents/1_risk_evaluation_for_asbestos_part_1_chrysotile_asbestos.pdf
  
  Watch out: The overall logic of the U.S. EPA rulemaking is based on the erroneous assumption about the cancer risk for chrysotile asbestos exposure being substantial, while numerous scientific sources prove the opposite to be true. - U.S. AIHA 2022.
• Verma DK, Middleton CG. Occupational exposure to asbestos in the drywall taping process. The American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. 1980 Apr 1;41(4):264-9.
  Abstract
  
  Studies of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations associated with various operations of the drywall taping process have been undertaken in the province of Alberta, Canada.
  
  The results show that mixing, sanding and sweeping created high levels of airborne asbestos dust. The measured concentrations were frequently in excess of occupational health standards.
  
  Sanding in particular was assessed the most hazardous operation.
  
  The results are discussed in light of present and proposed Occupational Health Standards, and in terms of its implications for other workers, household contacts, and consumer's risk. Measures to reduce and control the health hazards associated with the process are described.
• Washington State, ASBESTOS-CONTAINING JOINT COMPOUND IN WALLBOARD SYSTEMS [PDF] (2000) WISHA Services Department of Labor and Industries Directive 23.30
  
  Excerpt:
  Joint compound used on wallboard systems often contains asbestos added during the mixing process to improve the working texture of the material.
  
  The asbestos in the joint compound is typically much less than 5 percent by weight and the joint compound makes up a minor fraction of the material in the wallboard system.
  
  Where work with the wallboard system does not involve sanding, grinding or abrading the wall surface, joint compound will generally remain intact on the surface of the wallboard.
  
  The presence of joint compound has not been found to represent a greater hazard of asbestos exposure than treating the wallboard system as a homogenous material.
  
  It is important to implement prompt clean-up procedures and avoid pulverizing debris generated during the work.
  
  
• WHO, CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS HAZARDS [PDF] (2014) World Health Organization, WHO, retrieved 2022/06/04, original source: http://www.quotidianosanita.it/allegati/allegato5011877.pdf
• Yano, Eiji, Xiaorong Wang, Mianzhen Wang, Hong Qiu, and Zhiming Wang. LUNG CANCER MORTALITY FROM EXPOSURE TO CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS AND SMOKING: A CASE–CONTROL STUDY WITHIN A COHORT IN CHINA [PDF] (2010) Occupational and Environmental Medicine 67, no. 12 (2010): 867-871.
  Abstract Objective To confirm the association between exposure to chrysotile asbestos and lung cancer risk and to demonstrate the combined effect of smoking and asbestos exposure.
  
  Methods A case–control study of 1139 asbestos workers identified 41 male lung cancer cases in 2001; each case was matched by age (±5 years) with five controls.
  
  Workers in seven workshops were categorised into high-, medium- and low-exposure subgroups, and conditional logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratios for lung cancer risk associated with the different exposure levels.
  
  Smoking, age at first exposure, and exposure duration were considered as covariates/confounding factors. A joint effect of asbestos exposure and smoking on lung cancer risk was analysed using a conditional logistical model.
  
  Results 54% of cases had high exposure and 24% low exposure, while 24% of controls had high exposure and 44% low exposure. Smoking was more common in cases (90%) than in controls (73%). The adjusted OR for lung cancer was 3.66 (95% CI 1.61 to 8.29) for high exposure and was elevated slightly for medium exposure (1.25; 95% CI 0.47 to 3.31).
  
  Smoking was related to lung cancer risk (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.10 to 10.08). In comparison with the low-exposure non-smoking group, the OR for the high-exposure smoking group was 10.39 (1.34 to 82.45), in contrast to 5.23 (0.50 to 54.58) for high-exposure non-smoking workers.
  
  Conclusions These results confirm the strong association between exposure to chrysotile asbestos and lung cancer risk, and support an interactive effect of asbestos exposure and smoking which is more than additive.

 

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-05-03 by Christie

Hi,

I live in a house built in 1978. Could there be asbestos in the brown paper backing on our drywall?

Thanks!

On 2023-05-03 by InspectApedia Publisher - Could there be asbestos in the brown paper backing on our drywall?

@Christie,

It's not likely that you would find asbestos in the brown paper backing on drywall, but there may be asbestos in the drywall itself or in joint compound used to install it.

 

On 2022-11-24 by Stacy Chandler

Opened up an interior wall in my 1966 home. Top layer is seemingly hard stucco or cement. Layer underneath is some type of drywall. Was that common to have a layer of hard stucco over drywall on an interior wall?

Anyway, stupidly I didn't test before I opened the wall. There are small bunches of fibers sticking out of the drywall. Is that asbestos fiber or fiberglass or cellulose? I got one of those mail kits, collected a sample and sent to lab, but curious what you guys think.

On 2022-11-25 by InspectApedia (Editor) - Was it common to have a layer of hard stucco over drywall on an interior wall?

@Stacy Chandler,

Yes it was common to use gypsum board or "drywall" as a plaster base.

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Continue reading  at ASBESTOS in DRYWALL or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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