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Asbestos Exposure & Risks
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ASBESTOS EXPOSURE
Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma cancer. A potentially dangerous asbestos exposure can result from very small fibers at low exposure levels. Most such asbestos exposure would likely have occurred prior to the 1980s, but the latency period can be up to 40 years for most asbestos-related cancers to develop.
Many people come into contact with asbestos fibers via their jobs. There is also a risk to the family members of those working in at-risk occupations. Some estimates indicate that nearly 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused by occupational and paraoccupational asbestos exposure. Those who live near refineries, power plants, factories, shipyards, steel mills and building demolition may also be at risk of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos exposure risk by Occupation and Industry
- Asbestos product manufacturing (insulation, roofing, building, materials)
- Automotive repair (brakes & clutches)
- Construction/contractors
- Maritime
- Oil refineries
- Power plants
- Railroads
- Shipyards / ships
- Steel mills
- Automotive mechanics
- Boiler makers
- Bricklayers
- Building Inspectors
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Hod carriers
- Insulators
- Iron workers
- Laborers
- Longshoremen
- Maintenance workers
- Merchant marines
- Millwrights
- Painters
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Sheet metal workers
- Steam fitters
- Tile setters
- U.S. Navy veterans
- Welders
Asbestos Exposure Risks in Homes and Schools
It is very common for homes and apartments built or remodeled before the 1970's to have asbestos-containing materials in them. During the twentieth century, about 30 million tons of asbestos fibers were used in the United States, and some of this asbestos ended up in residential buildings.
Asbestos is a health hazard when it crumbles and releases particles into the air. If the asbestos-containing materials are intact and in a location where they are unlikely to be disturbed by remodeling or renovation, removal is not always the best option. Other options include sealing it or covering it.
If you suspect your house contains asbestos, we strongly recommend you use a trained and certified union technician to help you decide the appropriate action to take. The EPA recommends that you ask these asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal or state-approved training. Each person performing work in your home should provide proof of training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion of EPA-approved training. The EPA also recommends using separate firms for assessment and removal services, to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
Most states require homeowners to disclose known hazards before selling. If you are selling a home with asbestos containing materials, check with a local attorney or real estate agent to determine your obligation to disclose the presence of asbestos.
In 1995, OSHA issued workplace standards for testing, maintenance and disclosure of asbestos. Rental property owners were considered to fall in the category of "general industry" and therefore were covered by these OSHA regulations. Unless the property owner rules out the presence of asbestos through testing, it is presumed that asbestos is present.
When a landlord complies with OSHA regulations, performs testing, and discovers friable asbestos in a rental property, s/he is obligated to disclose this hidden and dangerous defect to the tenants. The presence of friable asbestos in rental property might be considered a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, and a tenant may be able to seek legal remedies.
Most states require homeowners to disclose known hazards before selling. If you are selling a home with asbestos containing materials, check with a local attorney or real estate agent to determine your obligation to disclose the presence of asbestos.
In 1995, OSHA issued workplace standards for testing, maintenance and disclosure of asbestos. Rental property owners were considered to fall in the category of "general industry" and therefore were covered by these OSHA regulations. Unless the property owner rules out the presence of asbestos through testing, it is presumed that asbestos is present.
When a landlord complies with OSHA regulations, performs testing, and discovers friable asbestos in a rental property, s/he is obligated to disclose this hidden and dangerous defect to the tenants. The presence of friable asbestos in rental property might be considered a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, and a tenant may be able to seek legal remedies.
Asbestos-containing products were used extensively in the construction of schools and other public buildings, until the 1970's.
In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to protect public and private school children and employees from asbestos exposure. AHERA acknowledges that asbestos materials in schools that are intact generally do not pose a health risk, and includes provisions to monitor the condition of asbestos-containing materials, to manage the materials, and to keep open the lines of communication between all interested parties.