Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that during much of the past century, asbestos was widely used for industrial and construction applications. Beginning in the 1970s, the use of asbestos began to decline as health concerns due to exposure to asbestos fibers became more widely recognized and some uses were banned.
Unfortunately, many of the building materials that contain asbestos from decades ago can still be found in homes and buildings. If disturbed, asbestos fibers could be released into the air and inhaled. Exposure to asbestos over time is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
With regards to asbestos in residential settings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares the following:
Generally, you can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone. You may want to have your home inspected for asbestos-containing materials by a trained and accredited asbestos professional if you are planning to remodel your home (remodeling can disturb building materials), or your home has damaged building materials (like crumbling drywall and insulation that is falling apart).
EPA goes on to recommend:
A trained and accredited asbestos professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released.
It’s also important to note that federal law does not require persons who inspect, repair, or remove asbestos-containing materials in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited; however, some states and localities do require this. For safety, EPA recommends that homeowners should ensure that workers they hire to handle asbestos are trained and accredited.
These are just a few of the many things to know about potential asbestos exposure risks in residential settings. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown on the screen.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that during much of the past century, asbestos was widely used for industrial and construction applications. Beginning in the 1970s, the use of asbestos began to decline as health concerns due to exposure to asbestos fibers became more widely recognized and some uses were banned.
Unfortunately, many of the building materials that contain asbestos from decades ago can still be found in homes and buildings. If disturbed, asbestos fibers could be released into the air and inhaled. Exposure to asbestos over time is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
With regards to asbestos in residential settings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares the following:
Generally, you can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone. You may want to have your home inspected for asbestos-containing materials by a trained and accredited asbestos professional if you are planning to remodel your home (remodeling can disturb building materials), or your home has damaged building materials (like crumbling drywall and insulation that is falling apart).
EPA goes on to recommend:
A trained and accredited asbestos professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released.
It’s also important to note that federal law does not require persons who inspect, repair, or remove asbestos-containing materials in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited; however, some states and localities do require this. For safety, EPA recommends that homeowners should ensure that workers they hire to handle asbestos are trained and accredited.
These are just a few of the many things to know about potential asbestos exposure risks in residential settings. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown on the screen.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
