Asbestos product & application FAQs:

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.

Questions & answers about Asbestos-Containing Products & Materials

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 2022-09-18 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - was asbestos used in ornamental rocks for garden rockeries in the UK

@Jo Deakin,

No, we don't know for a fact, but considering that asbestos was used in faux coals, rocks, logs in gas fireplaces I can't rule out that an asbestos rock or log might be in someone's garden - depending on age of manufacture.

Asbestos was used in the form of mine waste and also mixed with vermiculite to amend garden soils too. (Kumar 2016).

- Kumar, A., Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad, and S. K. Maiti. "Asbestos: resource recovery and its waste management." In Environmental Materials and Waste, pp. 285-305. Academic Press, 2016.

On 2022-09-18 by Jo Deakin

Does anyone know if asbestos was ever used in ornamental rocks for garden rockeries in the UK? Thank you.

On 2022-08-23 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - brown fibers in old horse saddle not asbestos

@Martha,

Those brown fibres won't be asbestos.

On 2022-08-23 by Martha

This old (at least 50 years) horse saddle... fabric is white, degrades into brown fibers. Could it be made off asbestos?

On 2022-08-21 by Anon

@InspectApedia-911, thanks for the quick response. I’ve searched the internet high and low, including UK sources of info, and can find no mention of tea cosies being a risk (oven gloves yes, heat pads yes, iron board covers yes). Vintage ones selling on eBay and Etsy also display tags showing the filler as polyester.

So all in all I think it’s highly unlikely to contain asbestos. Have asked my folks to get a new one in any case as it’s got big holes in it! (Visually the filling does look to be polyester but I know looks can be deceiving)

On 2022-08-21 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - would a 1980s English tea cosy contain asbestos

@Anon,

Hot pads and trivets, yes, tea cozies, no, not yet. Let's both do some research and report back here.

On 2022-08-21 by Anon

Hello - have you ever heard of a tea cosy containing asbestos? I think it’s from the 1980s in England and believe it contains polyester filling. I have so far not come across any indication that these were ever made with asbestos.

On 2022-07-20 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - would Konica semi pearl film camera contain asbestos

@Kai,

Possible, such as in non-friable plastic parts, but not so likely.

Did you try a patent search?

On 2022-07-19 by Kai

Hi, is there a possibility that old film cameras (such as the one in this image (Konica semi pearl)) from the 1940s-50s could contain asbestos?

Thanks so much for your help.

On 2022-07-04 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - asbestos in 1950s scottish department of agriculture built homes

@Christina Fisher,

If your chimneys use fiber cement pipe

see TRANSITE ASBESTOS CHIMNEYS, DUCTS, PIPES https://inspectapedia.com/chimneys/Transite_Asbestos_Chimneys.php

then those contained asbestos.

A simple stone, brick, or concrete block chimney would normally be built using those masonry units and normal mortar.

In general, asbestos was indeed widely used in building schools throughout Scotland in the 1950s to the mid-1980s.
But in a normal residential home chimney? Unlikely.

For specifics on asbestos use in government-built buildings in Scotland, contact:

The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Scotland
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

On 2022-06-30 by Christina Fisher

Hi, I'm just enquiring about the possibility of asbestos cement and other products used in 1950s scottish department of agriculture built homes. I have 2 failed chimneys and need information before beginning repairs.

On 2022-06-24 by InspectApedia (Editor) - visually identifying gasket material

@Anonymous,

Using the on-page search box to search InspectApedia for "asbestos gaskets"

finds

ASBESTOS PACKINGS & GASKETS

On 2022-06-24 by Anonymous

@InspectApedia (Editor), thank you. Do you have a page for visually identifying gasket material, or rather the what asbestos gaskets would look like?

On 2022-06-24 2 by InspectApedia (Editor) - cutoff date when gaskets for water heaters stopped using asbestos

@Anonymous,

I would not bet on a cutoff date for use of asbestos in gaskets as at least for some industries its use was continued as an exception.

But

1. It's often easy to make a good guess at gasket material by looking at it - at least to recognize non-asbestos materials or by looking at the specifications for gasket materials as given by the gasket manufacturer or supplier

2. OPINION: Unless you're tearing off and grinding or chopping up the door gasket on a woodstove or heating boiler or furnace, that is to say if it's just sitting there, there is simply no reasonable risk that the gasket would be responsible for significant or dangerous levels of airborne asbestos in the building.

On 2022-06-24 by Anonymous

Is there a cutoff date as to when gaskets for water heaters were made using asbestos?

Ours is from 2009 and its manifold door gasket is white and fibrous looking. The plumber who was working on it told us it does not, but I wanted to check here as well.

On 2022-06-13 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Allen,

I'm sorry but I'm not sure just what product you are asking about. What kind of industrial blanket?

On 2022-06-12 by Allen

Concerning an industrial blanket & thermal folder , y dose red dust show up on'm ? That isn't asbestos , is it ?

On 2022-06-06 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - Was asbestos ever used in 1900 era fire extinguishers?

@Ruth,

Thanks that's an interesting question; I"m not sure just what use you have in mind.

Certainly I've not seen any documents or history citing that asbestos itself was "sprayed" on fires, but asbestos was widely used in gaskets or sealers or even hoses that might have found a place on a fire extinguisher or other fire fighting equipment such as fire blankets.

Asbestos insulation was sprayed onto building surfaces, beams, for example, and was widely used as a spray-on fire-resistant coating on ships but that was during construction, not during fire-extinguishing.

On 2022-06-06 by Ruth

Was asbestos ever used in 1900 era fire extinguishers?

On 2022-06-05 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Elena,

Asbestos use was discontinued in products by 1986 so your cool decking would not have had asbestos in it.

See more about cool decking at

SWIMMING POOL COOL CONCRETE DECK SURFACE

On 2022-06-04 by Elena

I have a pool with Kool deck that was installed in 1992. Is it possible that this has asbestos? If it is removed with a grinder I imagine the fibers are released.

On 2022-05-21 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Anthony,

Imo

It's possible but we would be much further along and could speculate more useful if we had an idea of the name of the product.

On 2022-05-21 by Anthony

I worked at a boiler manufacturer in 1980 that galvanized it’s boilers on-site. I remember using a high temperature paste to protect the threads of the fittings before it was galvanized. Afterward, we would use pneumatic wire brushes to clean out the threads that would create a lot of dust we breathed in. I’ve always wondered if that contained asbestos.

On 2022-05-12 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - does service entry cable off a 1940s house in Michigan contain asbestos

@Jeff,

It's possible but most likely not.

The place where you're most likely to find asbestos electrical wire insulation is in wire that required tolerance for high heat applications.

Take a look in the Index to Related Articles and you will see articles on asbestos used in electrical wire insulation.

On 2022-05-11 by Jeff

I have some overhead service entry cable off a 1940s house in Michigan and was wondering if it is know to contain asbestos?

It has solid copper conductors sheathed first with a black rubber/ plastic insulation with another grey material in between the conductor and the exterior black sheathing. The grey material has strands running through it.

On 2022-04-13 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - asbestos in Dunlop Dusting chalk

@Sam,

Our research confirms that asbestos was present in other chalk products sold & used in North America (and various other countries) in the 1920s- 1930s, such as school chalkboard-use chalk.

So it's certainly plausible that Dunlop's "dusting chalk" might have contained asbestos - *** if in fact it contained chalk at all ***

If you're asking about a product used by baseball pitchers to provide a firm grip on the baseball, the principal ingredient in those "chalk bags" was a rosin powder - though it might have included chalk or talc (which often contained asbestos) as a dusting medium as well.

FWIW modern baseball-use rosin powder is made by mixing magnesium carbonate powder with pine resin.

The current Dunlop Sports Co. is headquartered in Japan - I'm not sure you'll find its current staff up on the company's U.S. products from the 1920s, but you might ask them.

But we've not found a specific reference to that company's baseball rosin bag products nor tests of them.

On 2022-04-12 by Sam

I was wondering if Dunlop Dusting chalk contained any asbestos? Possibly made in 1920-1930s

On 2022-04-02 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - vintage vending machine insulation

@Michael Diaz,

From just your question is posed when can I know if there is asbestos used in the vending machine or its insulation.

But certainly if you are describing the possibility of insulation that is enclosed in the door or vending machine walls top and bottom, so choose inside of metal jackets, you're not exposed to it in any case.

On 2022-04-02 by Michael Diaz

Hello: I have acquired a vintage vendo 190 d soda vending machine, built most likely mid-late 1960’s. I am in the process of cleaning it for personal use. There is insulation in the door that I am not planning to expose or remove. Does this contain asbestos?

Can I still use the machine with acceptable asbestos risk if i am not planning to open, expose, or remove this insulation?

On 2022-03-30 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Eternit Glasweld building panels

@Gregg Newton,

Thanks for a very clear and specific question - still on it.

Eternit and the history as well as more than one company using that name are discussed at

ASBESTOS PRODUCING COMPANIES & TRUSTS

especially at the St. Gobain and at the U.S. Plywood brand. Dates that we have are there.

Glasweld architectural building panels were replaced by Eternit's non-asbestos fiber cement paneling by 1986, possibly earlier.

On 2022-03-29 by Gregg Newton

When did Eternit stop making Glasweld panels or stop using asbestos in Glasweld panels?

On 2022-03-07 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Arborite backsplash

@Sandra,

Depending on the age of your home or better, the age of the backsplash installation in your kitchen, AND the country and city where your home is located, asbestos may be present in some adhesive mastics that could have been used.

But Sandra, as long as you are not demolishing the backsplash (thus creating a dusty mess) there is not one iota of chance that particles from the adhesive between the backsplash and the wall to which it is adhered could enter the living area.

For other readers, Arborite is a laminate product that was widely used in kitchens for backsplash or countertop surfaces in Canada beginning in 1942 and continuing to the present. Arborite laminates were manufactured and sold principally in Canada but for a time, also in the U.K. Presently Arborite is a subsidiary of Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces.

The Arborite company can be contacted at:
Head Office Arborite
850 McCaffrey,Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada, H4T 1N1
Telephone: 514-366-2710 | 1-800-996-0366
Email: info@arborite.com
Web: https://www.arborite.com/

Website excerpt:
Since 1942, Arborite has been bringing surfaces to life. With a solid reputation for quality and reliability, Arborite has become synonymous with high-pressure laminate. An industry pioneer in high pressure laminates, Arborite has grown to become one of the world's most innovative HPL manufacturers and distributors.

Shown below: an Arborite advertisement in Maclean's Magazine, May 1954, p. 48

On 2022-03-06 by Sandra

I bought a mobile home that has arborite as a backsplash in the kitchen. Is the glue toxic somehow?

On 2022-01-23 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Jess,

I don't think you'll find any country that was permitting the use of asbestos in chalk in the date range that you are describing.

On 2022-01-23 by Jess

Hi. Was asbestos found in chalk used by children (either liquid or sticks both thin and thick) manufactured between 2006 and 2021 please?

Or does your reference about asbestos being in marking chalk refer to a time in the past and not relevant to the time period I am interested in?

And if asbestos was found either historically or more recently, was that worldwide?

And are/were there particular brands involved? Many thanks.

 

Question: asbestos in dress shoulder pads? in women's clothing?

I have a bit of an unusual question regarding asbestos and I thought you might be able to help, I really dont know where else to turn. I found your site and you seem very knowledgeble.

So.. I was trying on a vintage dress (from either the 40’s, 50’s or 60’s) today and the shoulder pads, that I think used to be foam, had desintegrated to a yellow dust/powder that went completely airborn and all over the fitting room. Im sure I inhaled a good amount.

Asked the question on Quora and someone said it could have been asbestos in the foam since its similar to the foam that has been used it older mattresses. Do you think it could be?

I would be tremendously grateful for your reply. I really would like to know if Ive possibly been exposed to asbestos.

Take care and Kind Regards, - Anonymous by private email 2021/07/21

Moderator reply: where was asbestos used in foam products? in clothing? in padding?

At https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Products.php ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS

you'll see what is known about the use of asbestos in fabrics, padding, cushioning, mattresses;

You wouldn't expect asbestos to be in typical consumer-worn dress shoulder pads unless the dress was specifically required to be fire-resistant;

Asbestos was used in some clothing - though at least some of the web search citations you will find where the words "asbestos" and "clothing" are paired, on closer scrutiny, are mixing apples and oranges, such as in a discussion of industrial output where both asbestos products and fabrics or women's or men's clothing are cited independently.

Asbestos has appeared in a long list of other types of pads and clothing, even heel pads in some sock liners. Most common would have been clothing worn by firefighters, protective clothing or padding worn by welders, laundry press padding, prison cell padding.

Take a look at ASBESTOS TEXTILES and you'll see that where asbestos may appear in clothing it's most-often where special fire-resistance was required.

Foam such as yellow foam cushion material isn't an asbestos material.

And asbestos is not normally included in foam products - with exceptions:

Where asbestos was used foam products it was typically as a fire-resistive feature in some furniture, or for structural reasons, such as in these example products:

• ASBESTOS FOAM LAMINATES - laminates of asbestos paper onto foam and foil or similar applications
• ASBESTOS STYROFOAM PANELS - e.g. in some insulated roof panels
• Chappelear, David C., Thomas J. Stolki, and Quirino A. Trementozzi. "Polymer foams reinforced with glass or asbestos fibers and process of making same." U.S. Patent 3,474,048, issued October 21, 1969. - Hospital Pads and in certain insulation products;
• Christensen, Brock Clarke, Epigenetic profiles, asbestos burden, and survival in pleural mesothelioma [PDF], (2008) Thesis, Ph.D., Harvard University, Cambridge MA, USA,
  Notes: cites the history of uses of asbestos, including for clothing (Cugell and Kamp 2004).
• Cugell, D. W. and D. W. Kamp (2004). "Asbestos and the pleura: a review." Chest 125(3): 110317.
• Hartzell, Rowland S., and Gene Gerek. "Asbestos-foam laminates." U.S. Patent 3,522,140, issued July 28, 1970.
  Excerpt:
  
  Such coated asbestos-foam laminates are suitable, for example, for flooring, decorative wall covering or panels, insulating panels, protective coverings, tops for furniture or counters, and the like.
• Holmér, Ingvar, Håkan Nilsson, Sirkka Rissanen, Kozo Hirata, and Juhani Smolander. "Quantification of heat balance during work in three types of asbestos-protective clothing." International archives of occupational and environmental health 64, no. 4 (1992): 243-249.

On 2021-12-31 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - asbestos in Christmas ornaments

@Anonymous,

Thanks that's a timely question: use of asbestos in Christmas ornaments. If one includes the more broad use of ornaments to extend beyond Christmas trees themselves there might have been asbestos use - in electrical wiring, as fake snow, or other applications;

I have found no risk assessment data but there is no doubt that some use of asbestos was made in ornaments including for Christmas.

Stevenson, Thomas. "Arsenical Poisoning by Wall-Papers: III. On the Behaviour of Arsenic in Contact with Putrefying Organic Substances." British medical journal 1, no. 1173 (1883): 1220.
Excerpt: … asbestos; fill the portion which traverses the chimney with a mixture of dry carbonate of soda and charcoal; and behind this, at I, place another plug of asbestos… purposes; artificial leaves and flowers; wax ornaments for Christmas trees and other purposes;

Breskin, Charles A. "Expanding Fields for Expanded Plastics." Scientific American 177, no. 3 (1947): 119-121.
Excerpt: … the reason for its selection as a packaging material and as a base for Christmas tree ornaments. This same quality should attract those interested in window and counter displays, … To obtain fire resistance, an asbestos paper impregnated with a phenolic resin has been used. …

On 2021-12-31 by Anonymous

Looking through your site for references to asbestos use in Christmas ornaments.

What should one look for in regards to ornaments that may have been made with it, and given the delicate nature of such ornaments, but also the small amount that would likely have been used, what are the risks with these items? Thanks, and happy new year!

On 2021-12-25 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - baby powder testing results

@julie samie,

Thank you so much for the offer. If you know the approximate age of your J&J baby powder sample it might be worth a look as an additional reference point. We've found inconsistent test results when looking for asbestos in baby powder, supporting the view that it may sometimes be present but certainly was not universally present.

You can use the page-bottom CONTACT link to send us an email note and we can provide a mailing address.

Details are at

ASBESTOS in TALCUM POWDER

On 2021-12-25 by julie samie

i have an old johnson and johnson baby powder container about half full if you would be interested in it for testing?

On 2021-11-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Anonymous,

Can't say, but possibly.

In any event you're talking about a material that's not particularly friable and that is encapsulated - or covered in something else, at least a layer of fabric.

If it's not damaged, it's not likely to be shedding, regardless of its constituents.

On 2021-11-03 by Anonymous

Are the table pads you list ones that were used on average consumers' dining tables, and if so, would it be likely to find such asbestos-containing table pads made in the late 60s to the early 70s?

We have a vintage Ethan Allen table with original pad from this era and wanted to find out. If the millboard inside does contain asbestos, would it be effectivity encapsulated inside the felt and vinyl sheathing? (Not too keen on ripping into the pad itself to see what's in there) Thanks!

On 2021-10-27 by Sha

@danjoefriedman, That’s great ! Thanks for all the input.

On 2021-10-27 by (mod) - dangerous asbestos stuffing in old children's dolls or toys?

@Sha,

That's not likely. Just compare doll stuffing to what was going on in the naval shipyards in the 1940s.

Clean gently and re-stuff.

On 2021-10-27 by Sha

@inspectapedia.com.moderator I threw out all her stuffing and will restuff with new. You think it Is it ok to keep the doll with all the stuffing removed (it was my Mom’s, so sentimental) and do you think I could get sick from just breathing in a bit of dust while I unstuffed over a plastic bag? It has been sealed & disposed of.

On 2021-10-27 2 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Sha,

Sometimes toy or doll stuffing that is orange-yellow in colour and that crumbles to dust was a foam product.

Quoting the wise lady from Philadelphia, "when in doubt, throw it out."

On 2021-10-27 by Sha

@inspectapedia.com.moderator,

Thank you. I am relieved you don’t think it resembles asbestos (assuming you able to view the picture attached to my original question?) Some of the stuffing was powdery, as well.

On 2021-10-27 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Sha,

Possible. But not likely.

On 2021-10-26 by Sha

@inspectapedia.com.moderator,
Could a doll from the 1950s be stuffed with asbestos?

On 2021-10-29 by Anonymous - friable asbestos hazard from old toasters?

@inspectapedia.com.moderator, Thank you so much! We had been given a vintage toaster with googly eyes on it (made up to look like the Brave Little Toaster) for our son and it was sitting in his room next to his toys, so naturally discovering it could contain asbestos, it brought on a bit of panic.

But glad to hear it's unlikely that anything measurable would even have been released into his room or onto his toys! So thankful for your expertise!

On 2021-10-20 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Anonymous,

And toasters that I've seen that's a pretty hard material.

"Friable" would mean that you could crumble it to dust between the thumb and forefinger.

Remember that asbestos from very small sources such as a piece of an appliance is not likely to be a measurable indoor environmental hazard.

Consider that in the shipyards where workers developed mesothelioma the air was so thick with asbestos dust that it was opaque, like working in a cloud.

… in the mill it [level of airborne asbestos dust] was blinding. One hundred-watt light bulbs hanging from the ceiling of the tin shed looked like candles, one worker recalls. When you walked in, you had to get within a couple of feet of a man to recognise him, because their faces were coated with dust like pancake make-up. (Hills 1989)

• Hills, B. (1989) Blue Murder: Two Thousand Doomed to Die – The Shocking Truth About Wittenoom’s Deadly Dust, South Melbourne, Sun Books.
  

On 2021-10-19 by Anonymous

How friable is asbestos used in toaster insulation from the 1950s?

On 2021-10-16 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Jen,

Possible. But not likely.

On 2021-10-16 by Jen - dangerous asbestos stuffing in old children's toy dogs?

Hi, going through things in the house and found a vintage 50s era stuffed poodle.

Would stuffed animals from this time frame contain asbestos? It looks like these but in black.

We are planning on donating it and want to know before we do.

Thank you!

On 2021-10-13 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Can Asbestos be found in poured concrete foundations?

@Joe Mathews,

Possible, yes. Likely, no.

In any event cement is not friable and you would have a very difficult time making that mixture into an environmental hazard in your home.

On 2021-10-12 by Joe Mathews

Can Asbestos be found in poured concrete foundations in residential homes in 1967 Connecticut?

On 2021-08-25 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Do home bed blankets or bedding contain asbestos?

@Joe mannino,

No contemporary residential bedding, blankets, sheets, quilts, mattresses would be expected to contain asbestos.

On 2021-08-25 by Joe mannino

Do home bed blankets or bedding contain asbestos?

On 2021-07-26 by mak.church (mod)

@Nancy,

See our section on black and gray Armstrong tiles at

COLOR GUIDE to Identify Asphalt Asbestos & Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles

Very likely, yes.

On 2021-07-26 by Nancy

Is Armstrong C361 Cameo Gray asphalt floor tile installed in 1950 contain asbestos?

On 2021-07-22 by Jen

@inspectapedia.com.moderator, thank you for the help!

On 2021-07-22 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - asbestos in baby clothes?

@Jen,

No; we have to trust the label; 100% polyester = 0% anything else.

Polyester baby clothes would not contain asbestos.

but

Watch out: I do NOT recommend putting polyester fabric clothing on a baby - as a fire and burn safety concern; while this synthetic fiber fabric is slow to ignite, exposed to fire or very high heat it can melt, sticking to the skin and so causing a bad burn.

As a result numerous sources in the U.S and Canada as well as in the E.U., such as fire safety and workplace safety sources advise against polyester clothing

OSHA-prohibited fabrics

According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.269, the following materials are prohibited in work clothing, whether by themselves or in blends, “unless the employer demonstrates that the fabric has been treated to withstand the conditions that may be encountered by the employee or that the employee wears the clothing in such a manner as to eliminate the hazard involved.”

— Acetate
— Nylon
— Polyester
— Rayon
— Polypropylene

Flammable materials such as nylon and polyester burn slowly, but melt when doing so and can cause molten residue. - OHS Canada, https://www.ohscanada.com/overtime/flammable-materials-never-wear-job/

On 2021-07-22 by Jen

Would baby clothes from the late 80s have asbestos in them if labeled as flame resistant but also 100% polyester?

On 2021-07-05 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - asbestos in U.S. Army Field Jackets?

@revell101,

Thanks that's an interesting question.

No.

When I served in the Army - up to 1967 - our field jackets were essentially a treated cotton fabric.

Later versions of the field jacket like the M-65 field jacket in your question are made to Military Specification — MIL-C-43455 and use a mix of 2 fibers in the jacket body/liner. Take a look at the jacket label - it'll list the fabric contents. You'll see listed two fibres: cotton and polyester.

You can read the actual MilSpec as it's a public document: see US-ARMY-MILSPEC-MIL-C-43455 at

https://inspectapedia.com/Design/MIL-C-43455J.pdf

You'll see a long list of federal specifications for the various components of the M65 jacket including the jacket body, liner, etc. The word "asbestos" never appears.

There was special-purpose clothing such as fire-fighting gear that indeed used asbestos fabric.

For other readers: The M-1965 field jacket is a straight front, cold weather, field coat made of water-repellent fabrics. Initially designed for the United States military under the MIL-C-43455 standard, it is now often worn by civilians as an ordinary item of clothing. Wikipedia

On 2021-07-0 by revell101

Would military surplus such as a M65 jacket from the 60s have asbestos cloth?

On 2021-06-30 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Cadishead67,

Sorry but not from just the text of your query; perhaps you can post some photos - one per comment - of the board surface, edge, and any marks or stampings.

On 2021-06-30 by Cadishead67

I am enquiring about an old portable wooden building (portacabin) used as a building site office in the UK. The walls under the windows have what looks like Gypsum panels but could be AIB. The exterior is a black, mottled, thin brittle material over cladding plywood.

Do you have any guidance as to what Asbestos could be in this?

On 2021-05-03 by (mod) - Kalart Master Automatic Speed Flash

@Sam,

Thank you that's an interesting question about finding asbestos in antique camera flash equipment.

I certainly don't rule it out but if what you have appears to be simple black paper it's probably a cellulose product.

On the other hand asphalt impregnated paper such as roofing felt awful contained asbestos.

On the third hand, there's no reasonable chance of a meaningful or even detectable asbestos hazard from the equipment I can see in your photo.

On 2021-05-02 by Sam

I was repurposing an old Kalart Master Automatic Speed Flash (for old cameras) and encountered black paper inside the battery tube section. Is this paper likely to have asbestos in it?

On 2021-04-24 by (mod) - asbestos used in old refrigerated containers

@Kim Tronson,

Yes.

Use your browser's on-page search function (such as Ctrl-F) to search for "refrigerator" and you'll find several entries discussing the use of asbestos in some refrigerators and coolers.

On 2021-04-24 by Kim Tronson

Is asbestos used in old refrigerated containers

On 2021-02-04 by (mod) - desk lamp wiring not a likely asbestos hazard

And even if that wire insulation inside the desk lamp in your photos contained asbestos, its total volume is so miniscule that there is no reasonable chance of detection of an airborne asbestos hazard traced to that source.

See ASBESTOS ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION

On 2021-02-04 by Karen

The wire I'm referring to is inside the head of the lamp, attached to the light bulb socket. You may see it better in this picture. But I understand your point that it's unlikely that asbestos was used in that wire. Thank you. And thank you for the link to the section of your site on electrical wire insulation.

On 2021-02-04 - by (mod) -

The white wire that we can see is rubber or plastic "lamp cord" not asbestos.


See details of what fabric-type asbestos electrical wire looks-like at ASBESTOS ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION at inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Electrical_Insulation.php

On 2021-02-04 by Karen

Thank you. Your answer is reassuring. It's a vintage desk lamp. I don't know the exact age as it was purchased used.

On 2021-02-04 - by (mod) -

Karen:

Asbestos electrical wire insulation was used in high-heat applications such as cookstoves, ovens, theatre wiring; you would not expect to find it in a light fixture.

We might even exclude your light from the asbestos question if we knew its age or at least the building in which it is installed.

See details at ASBESTOS ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION at https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Electrical_Insulation.php

On 2021-02-04 by Karen

Hello. How common was it to use asbestos in wiring in lamps? We've been using a vintage desk lamp and I just noticed that the cloth-covered wiring that connects to the light bulb socket is frayed. I tried to take a picture, but I couldn't get the right angle.

On 2020-11-21 - by (mod) -

Julie

Sorry I'm stumped. I don't know what a "roof battery" is, nor do I understand what screw holes needed to be filled on a roof before re-roofing.

There were some nail-hole and screw-hole fillers that contained asbestos such as some plaster or joint compounds used to fill holes in drywall, and apparently older versions of some products still sold today such as Dum Dum nail hole filler (sold in various colours), and some masonry block fillers and sealants made by several companies including Bondex and Sherwin Williams.

In case it is what you're looking for, I have used Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty for filling holes in wood since the 1960s - a photo of the product in its contemporary packaging is below.

Durock has been produced by the Donald Durham company since 1932 and is a plaster-based product. The company notes that "None of the ingredients are toxic or harmful to humans." which I take to mean it does not contain asbestos.

More about this product is

at CAULKS, NONTOXIC

On 2020-11-20 by Julie

Do you know the names of fillers/sealants that contained asbestos used in the 60# to fill in screw holes on roof battery’s when laying roofs? It was a white powder mixed with water...any product names/pictures of the cans it came in would be good. Many thanks

On 2020-11-12 - by (mod) -

Charles

Thank you for the photo and question; I'm sorry but I can't answer your question from a photo.

But from the enlarged (click to view) image that you posted, this looks to me like fiberboard.

As you're posting on an asbestos page I am guessing that you're worried about asbestos:

see SHEATHING, FIBERBOARD ASBESTOS CONTENT https://inspectapedia.com/structure/Fiberboard-Sheathing-Asbestos.php

On 2020-11-12 by Charles

Asbestos in 19th/20th Century Central /East european 'Cardboard'?

On 2020-11-04 - by (mod) -

Liz

Search inspectapedia.com for

FIBERBOARD IDENTIFICATION using the on-page search box found near the page top or bottom

and let me know if that's like what you have.

On 2020-11-03 by Liz

Recently bought an old house and cottage (1950’s?) and the cottage has strange raised vertical wallboard on many inside walls. When my son went to take off the old baseboards the walls behind crumbled leaving a brownish fibrous dust. We are worried that this could be asbestos. Has anyone heard of these wall panels?

On 2020-09-29 - by (mod) -

Excellent question JEB, sorry I just don't have complete data. Often there was an asbestos fabric wrap, distinguished from other materials perhaps by being dull rather than shiny, and with fabric fibers a bit fuzzy.

See details at ASBESTOS USE in APPLIANCES https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-in-Appliances.php

On 2020-09-29 by JEBVa

Considering replacing heating elements of 1962 GE electric double wall oven. Heat wrap around element connector is white fibrous filler material. Most likely fiberglass or asbestos? Thanks.

On 2020-09-28 - by (mod) - asbestos hazard in 1915 Kodak Vest Pocket Camera/

Dan

Thank you for the photo in the question about S bestows in antique cameras. Certainly without more extensive research, which I will undertake, I can't give a definitive answer.

However it seems unlikely that there is a plausible asbestos hazard from a camera that's intact, un-damaged and undisturbed.

On 2020-09-28 7 by Dan

I recently came across a 1915 Kodak Vest Pocket Camera with possibly original bellows, so I was wonder if this or any other vintage cameras would contain asbestos? and if so, what should I do?

On 2020-09-13 - by (mod) -

Possibly - you'd need to examine it.

On 2020-09-13 by K

Would a wooden science storage cabinet from the 40s or 50s have asbestos?

On 2013-02-24 by KPRyan

Terrific source of information here for the public. Thanks for taking the time and effort (and expense) to provide it for free.

On 2013-02-10 by Jase, Australia.

Hi there,
One of my friends is a collector of old war items and memorabilia, e.g old US Army helmets from WWI and WWII, etc. Most recently, he showed me an old US Army Accoustical Photograph. It seems to be from the WWII days. Now my question would be, would it be likely at all that this item contains any asbestos? It's one of those lever driven units (not powered by electricity). Thanks, Jase, Australia.

On 2013-01-31 by Amber

Do you have any more information or pictures of possible linoleum backing that may contain asbestos? I have old (possibly 1943-ish) linoleum in my kitchen. It didn't burn as vinyl would if you put a match to it, and it is in sheet form, so I figured that was a pretty legitimate test. Also, I compared my sample with all of your pictures of vinyl asbestos tiles and nothing was exactly the same.

On 2012-10-09 by Kim M

My family has a very old storage chest. Suspect it is 50+ years old. Chest is made of pine but it has been lined with something. I don't see this application listed as a typical use. Is it possible that someone would line a chest with asbestos paper? Would they do that for suppressing mold or insects? Was hoping to sell it as an antique - but may not be able to do that since unknown material.

On 2012-09-30 by Ian Brand

I have an old crank telephone from circa 1911 with a cloth wire leading from the phone to the mouth piece. I had been told by someone that the wire might likely contain asbestos. My sense was that as long as the material was not disturbed, there was no immediate danger. I have the phone stored inside a plastic garbage bag just in case however. At any case, I had an environmental engineer do an air quality assessment of our building and apartment for another unrelated issue, and he detected no asbestos. The question I have is: how do I best dispose of the telephone?

On 2012-08-30 by Jackie F

Does gypsum sheeting used for the exterior of a house built before 1970 contain asbestos?
What about the sheetrock in the house?

On 2012-08-17 by Janet

Gold bond drywall from mid-1950s... Does any gold bond type (fire resistant or regular) from that time frame contain asbestos? If so, what is the approximate % of asbestos?

On 2012-07-27 - by (mod) -

Robyn

Asbestos, if it is present in your home at a level to cause health problems, would be expected to appear as respiratory complaints or asbestosis. If your house is making you sick and the sickness is neurological, you are probably barking up the wrong asbestos tree. Yes other environmental contaminants might manifest as neurological complaints including not only lead but some chemicals and potentially gases.

On 2012-07-27 by Robyn

My home was built in 1952. Me and my family have been having a lot of health problems that the doctors cannot give a reason for. Neurological issues. I am beginning to wonder if it is the house that is making us all sick. I am thinking my husband said asbestos is in the house. Could other kind of environmental problems could have neurological side effects? The kids have never tested positive for lead.

 

On 2018-04-21 by (mod) -

Steve,

Unless it was made in a totally un-supervised facility such as perhaps some producers in China, there is no reasonable probability that your floor lamp, bought new in 2005, would contain asbestos.

On 2018-04-21 by Steve

I was recently moving a floor lamp that I bought as new around 2005 and the base of it suddenly detached from the rest of the lamp and fell to the ground, shattering the weighting material in the base. The weighting material looked, felt and shattered like concrete.

I cleaned up the debris, but it later occurred to me that maybe this material contained asbestos and maybe I shouldn't have touched it? Is it possible that this material contained asbestos?

On 2017-02-01 by (mod) -

Angie

Without meaning to sound glib, anything is possible. Somebody could have got a hold of antique materials and used them to make office chairs 17 years ago. But for a U.S.-made product produced in 2000, it's not likely enough that I'd be focused on that as the most-likely source of a building problem.

On 2017-02-01 by Angie

Hallo, is it possible for office chairs probably produced before 2000 to contain asbestos inside the plastic? Thank you in advance

On 2019-08-30 - by (mod) -

fiberglass rope stove gaskets replaced asbestos rope gaskets

Lynn, I'm doubtful that you can find a 1970's asbestos rope gasket still being sold on the open market. However there are heat-resistant and fire-resistant rope gaskets still sold - such as those used on woodstoves.

Our example photo is a 1" rope gasket sold on eBay and at woodstove suppliers, in 8 ft. lengths. This is NOT an asbestos product.

Here is an excerpt from the eBay product description (2018/08/30):

This fiberglass rope is made with 8 strands of fiberglass yarn and a 3/4" 8 strand fiberglass rope core. It is a high density rope used primarily to seal around wood boiler / wood stove doors.

Features:
Service rating to 1000°F / 538°C. Flexible for installation around tight corners and friction fit "U" channels. These ropes are easily bondable with high temp adhesive / caulk or high temp pressure sensitive tape (neither is included).

Fiberglass is a cost effective thermal protection resistant to most chemicals (pH range 4 - 9) with the exception of Hydrofluoric and Hot Phosphoric Acid and wet Hydrogen Chloride. Fiberglass will not burn, smolder or absorb water.

On 2019-08-26 by Lynn - asbestos rope used at US Steel TexasWorks 1970s.

Trying to locate asbestos rope used at US Steel TexasWorks 1970s.

Used by mold packer to pack the mold head that the laddel of molten steel was poured on as it rolled down the slab line.

It was white very soft very clean extremely fine fibers. Came in huge rolls that was cut into appropriate lengths needed for each pour.

Question: Do 1950's era Moffat Stoves, Ranges, & Ovens contain asbestos?

[Click to enlarge any image]

Can you tell me if this insulation, in a Moffat 1958 kitchen stove model 30D25 contains asbestos?

Please see MOFFAT STOVE HISTORY & REPAIR for details

Thanks so much - Anonymous, 2016/05/12 by private email

Question: (reader comment)

Thank You for all of the information, by far your site has composed the most complete list of items manufactured with asbestos. I will pass this information on as well. Thank You - Anon 4/30/11

Reply:

Thank you for the nice comment about our asbestos products list. We add to it whenever we learn of other asbestos-containing materials and welcome contributions from readers.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information for the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

We are dedicated to making our information as accurate, complete, useful, and unbiased as possible: we very much welcome critique, questions, or content suggestions for our web articles.

Question: Tell me about beaverboard containing asbestos

What can you tell me about BeaverBoard containing asbestos? - Laurel G. 6/7/11

Reply:

Beaverboard is a wood fiber product.

Question: How can I know if a ceiling tile contains asbestos?

I have a ceiling tile 5028 MF4 9 REG on the back. How can I find out if it is asbestos? Patrick 8/30/11

Reply:

Patrick, not recognizing the product numbers you refer to, you'd perhaps get fastest results by sending a small sample to a certified asbestos testing lab.

If you'd like us to take a look at the tile pattern send photos to us using the CONTACT link found on our web pages.

Question: 1961 Johns Manville floor tile in my apartment - how do I determine if it contains asbestos.

I have Johns Manville floor tile in my apartment that I think was put in around 1961 although might be earlier. It is 12 inch tile. Are there pictures of this manufacturer's tile on your website? How can I tell if it has asbestos? Thanks
Lisa 11/16/11

Reply:

Use an approved asbestos test lab to examine a small sample of the flooring. Meanwhile, handle the material as PACM - presumed asbestos containing (non-friable) material.

Question: Reader does not like seeing a list of asbestos products - sells asbestos testing

This "master" list of asbestos [includes ...] speculative, redundant applications of asbestos from decades-old resources like D.V. Rosato's book. [...]

Furthermore, it is outright irresponsible to make any claim about "identifying" an ACM by visual means alone. The properly trained and ethical professional may properly make only assumptions about suspect asbestos materials or can use regulatory-defined determinations of certain historical materials and products as "presumed ACMs" (PACM), [...]

The only legally defensible manner of asbestos identification is by approved laboratory analytical microscopy methods by properly qualified and trained microscopists, EVERYTHING is a suspect material". Antonio Rico.

Reply: asbestos testing is not always required nor appropriate

Antonio, we're sorry you don't like the asbestos information provided here.

A still longer, photo-illustrated list of common ACM products is found at ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS - with photos & links to articles of greater depth about individual ACM products.

We also provide this ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to Materials as some asbestos-containing materials can be reliably identified with no testing whatsoever.

You are correct that there are some deliberate redundancies in the list of asbestos-containing products and materials. We include more than one entry in the list under different alphabetical headings as that is how we have found people searching for information they need.

You are quite mistaken in condemning use of older texts as sources of lists of forms in which asbestos was used in a wide array of products.

It is precisely those historically accurate sources that are more complete and insightful than a modern composer who will be unfamiliar with now-forgotten products & applications.

For example, Rosato was one of the most enthusiastic publishers of information about the uses of asbestos. Furthermore, Mr. Rosato is hardly the only authoritative source that we cite in these web pages (see references below).

You are correct that no single list of ACM products or manufacturers can be complete, and we welcome additional suggestions for forms, applications, or specific products that contained asbestos, for historical and technical accuracy.

As a trained microscopist who knows how to identify asbestos I must add that you could possibly not be more mistaken in claiming that only PLM microscopy can be used to reliably recognize all asbestos containing materials. There are some products whose physical makeup and appearance are unique, for which there are no "lookalikes" that are not ACM - such as the grey-white corrugated asbestos paper used as pipe insulation.

Other ACM products can be reliably identified by the combination of knowledge of age and appearance, such as certain flooring materials, cement asbestos roofing & siding, and depending on age, asbestos cement millboard.

I have worked with quite a few asbestos abatement contractors, some of whom can walk into a building and say "Look, there's Tremolite asbestos insulating board used as fireproofing on that ceiling."

Like the corrugated asbestos insulating material used on heating and some plumbing piping, countless field experiences confirmed by lab testing are behind that ability.

The public good would hardly be served by claiming that "everything is asbestos suspect" - doing so simply feeds public fear and fills the wallets of profiteers. We have published more information, photos, history, and basic consumer advice on this topic than is easy to find at other unbiased, researched informed sources, and we welcome thoughtful, informed, unbiased contributions from professionals in the field.

Finally, we recommend that when faced with a costly asbestos remediation project, professional confirmation of the material, writing of the remediation plan, and asbestos removal are indeed appropriate.

It is very rare to come across ranting [indicated by the ... brackets in the reader's original message above] by readers at InspectAPedia, but we always welcome constructive criticism, questions, or content recommendations from anyone, even ranters.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

Question: does my fiberglass lined HVAC duct contain asbestos in the insulation?

I have an HVAC duct that is insulated with a paper faced fiberglass looking insulation. Is this insulation likely to contain asbestos? The paper facing has decayed and I want to encapsulate the duct but am concerned about asbestos.

My house was built in the 60s but my guess is the HVAC system has been updated. The paper faced ducts come off the main sheet metal ducts. - Stuart E Roberts 11/28/11

Reply:

Stuart, fiberglass is just that - glass fibers, and is not an asbestos containing product. Take a look at the fiberglass articles and photos found

at INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE for some easy visual clues that can help you recognize the material you've got.

Indeed some HVAC ducts were wrapped with asbestos paper, typically on the exterior of metal ductwork, but I don't believe you will find any instances in which asbestos paper was used as a backer for fiberglass insulation in homes.

If you are facing a costly renovation or cleanup job, if you have other material (besides what is obviously fiberglass insulation) that is suspect, before beginning the project you can certainly send a small sample to a certified asbestos testing lab - it's not costly.

But don't bother testing fiberglass for asbestos. It's not.

Reader follow-up:

Thank you, I'm 99% sure what we have is kraft faced fiberglass insulation around our duct work. I was adding insulation to the underside of the back half of my house which is above a crawl space and noticed the duct insulation had deteriorated enough that air going to one bedroom is noticeably cooler than the rest of the house.

Thinking about the current material on the ducts and the new material I was installing it looks identical. I think I'll go ahead with my plan to encased the duct but wear a bit more protective clothing and a mask. Thank you for your help! - Stuart 11/28/11

Reply:

Stuart, insulating the ductwork exterior is of course good practice. But in a crawl space that might be damp or even wet, if you can use an insulating product that won't pick up moisture it'd be, IMHO, a better practice and would reduce the risk of the fiberglass forming a future mold reservoir.

Question: find out if an old small cooler I have has been insulated with asbestos

Hello, I'm trying to find out if an old small cooler I have has been insulated with asbestos or a similar product between the outer and inner layers. It's a 40s / 50s small red metal Pleasure Chest cooler, and is rusted through on the bottom - thus, my concern over exposure.

I'm sure I'm being paranoid, but thought I'd ask the question - I've looked and looked and can't find any info on it's use in this application. Thanks for the response. - Scott 2/20/12

Reply:

Your options are to spend [typically[ $50. on a test by a certified asbestos testing lab, or equally reasonable, treat the material as presumed-asbestos-containing (PACM) which means sealing over the rusted metal bottom of the cooler to prevent debris from leaking out into your space.

Question: asbestos in products made by several large companies

Can you tell me what products produced by Georgia Pacific, Johns Manville, and Owens Corning contain asbestos? - Concerned 5/9/12

Reply:

Concerned the list is just too long for a Q&A; instead I suggest reviewing in particular the roofing and siding products made by those and other building product companies.

Question: asbestos in my chicken incubator?

I have an old, wooden, egg/chicken incubator made by Wisconsin Incubator Co. of Racine. It is lined on 3 sides by some type of fiber board that looks similar to asbestos. Do you know if this company made incubators with asbestos linings? - Carol 5/14/12

Reply:

Carol, it was a common practice to use asbestos cement millboard in the construction of chicken coops, barns, boiler rooms, and some walk-in coolers. If that's what you have, it is cementious, not friable, and a potential hazard most likely if someone does something foolish like cutting, sawing, grinding, or demolishing to make a dusty mess.

Question: worried that a 12 year old floor lamp is shedding asbestos

I have a 12 year old floor lamp that I noticed has some sort of white material covering the fixture wires that go directly into the part where the light bulb screwed into. The lamp was broken and the fixture globe dangling and I wanted to cut that part off and convert the rest of the lamp stand into a candle holder. Dumb me, I cut the electrical cord right where the white fabric was and then mangled it with pliers, trying to detach it from the base. Now I am worried that the white cloth covering the cord was asbestos and I let asbestos get loose into the air of the house. I'm so terribly worried. My dad says the cloth covering was probably fiber glass because the lamp was only 12-13 years old, but I still feel worried. - Worried 5/20/12

Reply:

Asbestos insulation on electrical wires is more likely to be found in theaters and inside appliances such as old toasters or ovens, not on a floor lamp. A floor lamp that's 12 year sold makes it manufactured in the year 2000 - not likely that a modern company would have used asbestos in the lamp wiring in that era.

Question: where & how do I look for asbestos used in cook stove or range insulation?

Dismantling a 1950s gas cooker appliance. The oven area is surrounded by a felt like blanket* insulator, the skin of the blanket is a metallic foil material.

I understand cookers between 1930 and 1980 used asbestos.

Would you happen to know if I'm dealing with asbestos or other offensive materiel? If you're unable to assist, where would one normally turn? *on closer inspection I note that the blanket is a whitish coloured 'needle' type fibre perhaps 1.5 - 2" thick. Yours faithfully, D.B. - 8/27/2013

Reply: not enough data; are we looking at fiberglass? cement asbestos millboard? Something else?

D: from just your email I can't say what material you're looking-at. Indeed asbestos was used in many appliances as a fireproofing and as an insulator; more often as cement board.

"Needle-like" in your description makes me think of fiberglass but again, without even a photo guessing about asbestos content in an unknown appliance is just so much arm-waving.

White fiberglass, foil faced, may also have been used. To know what you're dealing with would require direct examination, perhaps some very sharp photographs of the material and the foil facing and any markings, or a lab test. I doubt that the cost of paid testing is justified unless some special question or expense has arisen.

Without more information it would be prudent to treat the material as "PACM" presumed asbestos containing material - even if ultimately we decide it was not.

Send along photos if you can. Such added details can help us understand what's happening and often permit some useful further comment. What we both learn may help me help someone else.

Question: is my gas meter made of asbestos?

(Jan 25, 2014) Barrie Glenn said:

The gas meter housing outside my house is damaged. I intended repairing it using a fibre glass repair kit but wonder if in fact it is made of asbestos. I think it would have been installed in the 1960's. Please can you advise.

Reply:

Wow!

Really?

Barrie I would not even consider, for a nanosecond, doing my own repair to a gas meter. The risks of a leak, gas wastage, fire or explosion are just to great, even if someone didn't care to pay much heed to what the gas company or gas utility and local building codes require.

I realize that in theory, working carefully with excellent preparation one could perhaps make a fiberglass repair patch that is reliable - and I guess if we were stranded on the NASA space station I'd consider trying it. But not otherwise.

Call your gas company and ask them to inspect and repair or replace the meter as they determine necessary.

By the way, it's doubtful that one could buy a modern fiberglass repair kit that contains asbestos. The kits we can find in auto repair stores, paint stores, body shops, etc. use a combination of a fiberglass cloth and epoxy resins.

Question: asbestos used in bed mattresses?

(June 2, 2014) Jackie said:

Hello,
I was just wondering if asbestos was used in bed matresses. Inherited an old house and need to know what to be concerned about. Thanks!

Do you know roughly what years asbestos may have been used in bed mattresses? Just concerned as children have slept on these old matresses and now I am nervous. Never even thought about asbestos there.

Reply:

Yes Jackie asbestos was used in a stunning array of products, including as fire-resistant fabrics and coverings.

Asbestos used in mattresses is discussed at ASBESTOS in MATTRESSES

and

Asbestos textiles are discussed at ASBESTOS TEXTILES

Question: asbestos used in toasters?

(June 21, 2014) Patti said:

I have an older toaster oven made by Mannin-Bowen product # 405014. It looks like the walls may be lined with Asbestos. should I get rid of it?

Reply:

Patti, indeed some older appliances, including toasters used asbestos as insulation. I suspect that if the appliance is undamaged the asbestos released from it would be below the limits of detection. If its worrying you, however, that may be sufficient reason to tell the toaster goodbye.

Reader comment: asbestos induced cancer after working at Heating Elements Ltd., Wigston, Leicester

(June 26, 2014) Anonymous said:

my name is Gillian, I have just been told that my mother has asbestos induced cancer. 40 years ago she worked at Heating Elements Ltd in Wigston, Leicester. This terrible substance should never existed!

Question: asbestos in the oven?

(July 19, 2014) Tobes said:

Hi everyone, we have a "Shacklock chef 24 automatic oven", that is at least 40 years old. The handle began to come loose and so we removed the front to tighten it, inside was a faded brownish, batt-like insulation that is quite fibrous. We have no idea what it is, but would certainly hope it isn't asbestos, what do you think? Thank you

Reply:

Tobes one cannot say for sure what insulation you describe from just a brief note, but it sounds like fiberglass or mineral wool.

Asbestos insulation was used in ovens and other appliances however.

Question: Asbestos in clothes dryer heat shieldsd

(Aug 28, 2014) Kat Cremmins said:

Can anyone tell me what clothes dryer manufacters used asbestor heat shields from 1960 to 1977? I know they had them I just don't know which ones they were. THANKS

Question: asbestos in chairs or other furniture made by General Fireproofing Company?

9/26/2014 Carol Hoyt said:

I have a old chair in my office that I have sat on and been around itfor years. I was moving things around in my office today, and I noticed a gray dust coming from underneath the seat cover (which has been torn and only partially covers the seat).

On closer inspection, it appeared to be coming a gray fiber padding underneath what remains of the seat cover.

The chair's manufacturer is The General Fireproofing Company (Good Form), Youngstown, Ohio. It is finished to look like wood, but according to Google, is actually made from aluminum. Can you tell me if the seat cushioning contains asbestos?

Reply:

Carol,

The General Fireproofing Company in Youngstown OH was around from 1902 until a bankruptcy in 1989 (bought by Tang) and has a history of producing metal office furniture - perhaps in part for the fire-resistant furnishings market.

Some of the company's office chairs include a padded seat whose padding is itself unlikely to be "aluminum padding". More likely it's foam rubber.

Asbestos was used in some furniture padding but I have not found specifics about furniture products from the Geneal Fireproofing Company.

If you want an authoritative answer to the question: "did General Fireproofing Company Chair Padding contain asbestos" I'd spend the $40. to send a sample of the padding material (or the dust that worried you) to a certified asbestos testing lab.

Search InspectApedia for - ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

Question: asbestos in solar panels from the 1970's?

(May 23, 2015) Bruce said:
is there asbestos in hot water solar panels from the seventies made buy Solar King

Reply:

I don't know, Bruce, let's research it. Do you have contact information for the company or any product literature?

Question: my photos are tacked on to a board thast may be asbestos

(June 20, 2015) Kristin said:
Hi, I have many old photographs from the early 1900's that were placed on a hard board. It is worn and breaking apart now. Could this be asbestos?

Reply:

Kristin, if the photos were placed on the board using thumbtacks chances are it's a wood product insulating board. Take a look at these articles to help sort out what you've got:

See the Asbestos millboard in CEMENT ASBESTOS SHEET PRODUCTS

See this wood hardboard product: IDENTIFY Masonite™ and other hardboard Sheet and Siding Building Materials

See this softer cellulose-based fiberboard product: SHEATHING, FIBERBOARD IDENTIFICATION

Question: Do old sleeping bags from the 1970's contain asbestos?

(June 20, 2015) Andy said:
Hello, I have an indoor children's "slumber party" sleeping bag probably from the mid to later 1970s. Unzipped it is very much like a bedspread or quilt. Wondering if the light fill or any component
might contain asbestos. Thanks.
flag like

Reply:

Not too likely but I really can't say

 

Question: knowing if a product has asbestos by its markings

(June 30, 2015) Anna said:
Is there a way of knowing if a product has asbestos by its markings; black star and black stripe on the back of a building product. Does it contain asbestos?

Reply:

Anna

If you could match specific and unique markings to a specific manufacturer and product the answer could be yes on the identification of asbestos.

But generally, stars and strips are a bit generic as a basis to assume we know what is in a material. Knowing the specific product, age, application, and if possible brand markings is more useful. A lab test is definitive.

Question: dark residue when wiping a linoleum countertop: asbestos hazard?

(Sept 5, 2015) Disa said:
Just bought a 1920s house in NY. The kitchen countertop is what I am assuming is linoleum, black with light wave pattern and a metal trim. Whenever I wipe the counter, dark residue is left on the rag and the counter is sticky, almost rubbery. What should I do? Leave it and seal it or remove it?

Reply:

Please see LINOLEUM & SHEET FLOORING

On 2015-02-05 by (mod) - fireproof file cabinet contains asbestos

Kudos Mary for being more conscientious than many folks.

In my OPINION if the fireproof file cabinet contains asbestos that is completely enclosed in metal cabinet walls such that it can't be seen, touched, disturbed, the asbestos hazard or asbestos release from such a product would probably be below the limits of detection.

However a strict interpretation of current laws (presuming you're in the U.S.) might prohibit the sale of your file cabinet if it contains asbestos that falls into one of the categories listed under the Toxic

Substances Control Act (TSCA): Banned Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution in Commerce of Certain Asbestos-containing Products

Corrugated paper

Rollboard

Commercial paper

Specialty paper

Flooring felt

I excerpted this from US EPA information at http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/us-federal-bans-asbestos

On 2015-02-05 by Mary

How can I find out if my fireproof file cabinet is legal to sell?

On 2015-02-05 by (mod) -

Ever is a bit broad for me but I'm doubtful that rubber inner tubes would have used asbestos.

On 2015-02-03 by J

Did semi truck inner tubes ever contain asbestos?

On 2015-01-27 by (mod) -

Possibly, yes. Start by looking for insulating material, soft or even cementious.

On 2015-01-24 by Was

Restoring 1950s metters stove, wondering if insulation used around oven box contains asbestos

On 2014-11-11 by Kathy

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't doubt that this pillow was from 1930s-50s--new hubby and I are older folks--almost 60, and he said he had no idea where/who they came from. Yuck. I was able to hide away the pillow in question. Thanks again for your answer.

On 2014-10-22 by (mod) -

Asbestos was used in some mattresses and *might* have been used in pillow though I've not come across that assertion in my asbestos history sources. If bedding contained asbestos it would be remarkably old - perhaps dating to th 1930s to 1950's. Just how old is new hubby anyway.

If you want to know for certain what the material is you'll want to send a sample to a certified asbestos test lab - which costs about as much as a new, first-class, pillow.

On 2014-10-21 y Kathy

New husband brought with him old pillows of unknown origin. Won't let me throw them out. Two I know have down & feathers; one, when I washed it and put it thru the dryer left dusty stuff all over the dust screen. Was asbestos ever used to stuff bed pillows? Thanks.

On 2014-10-15 by Anonymous

We are using old metal fire proof filing cabinets from the 60s and 70s. Do these contain harmful asbestos???

On 2014-09-26 by (mod) - General Fireproofing Company in Youngstown OH

Carol,

The General Fireproofing Company in Youngstown OH was around from 1902 until a bankruptcy in 1989 (bought by Tang) and has a history of producing metal office furniture - perhaps in part for the fire-resistant furnishings market.

Some of the company's office chairs include a padded seat whose padding is itself unlikely to be "aluminum". More likely it's foam rubber. Asbestos was used in some furniture padding but I have not found specifics about furniture products from the Geneal Fireproofing Company.

If you want an authoritative answer to the question: "did General Fireproofing Company Chair Padding contain asbestos" I'd spend the $40. to send a sample of the padding material (or the dust that worried you) to a certified asbestos testing lab.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST in the ARTICLE INDEX

On 2014-09-25 by Carol Hoyt

I have a old chair in my office that I have sat on and been around itfor years. I was moving things around in my office today, and I noticed a gray dust coming from underneath the seat cover (which has been torn and only partially covers the seat).

On closer inspection, it appeared to be coming a gray fiber padding underneath what remains of the seat cover. The chair's manufacturer is The General Fireproofing Company (Good Form), Youngstown, Ohio.

It is finished to look like wood, but according to Google, is actually made from aluminum. Can you tell me if the seat cushioning contains asbestos?

...

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