From Schools to Homes: The Hidden Asbestos Threat & How to Protect Your Family
We often think of asbestos as a risk only in manufacturing or industrial areas, but you can find asbestos in many more everyday places, including our homes, neighborhoods, and schools. A few familiar sources of asbestos include:
- Schools
Half of the schools in the U.S. were built between 1950 and 1969. During that time, asbestos was used in many construction materials to make buildings more fire-resistant. As a result, many schools in our neighborhoods contain asbestos. As these schools age and deteriorate, or as school districts renovate them, asbestos can be released into the air and water. Without proper care, construction on an older school can put the school community and neighborhood at risk for asbestos exposure.
- Drinking Water
As buildings with asbestos age and materials break down, they can release asbestos into the air or water. This can also happen when a building burns or an area suffers from other natural disasters like floods and storms. These events can create serious health hazards by releasing asbestos fibers, necessitating proper awareness and proactive measures to prevent exposure and associated health risks.
- Your Home
Your home can also be a source of asbestos exposure, particularly if you have a home built before the 1970s. Asbestos, commonly used in construction materials during that era, poses a risk that should not be underestimated. Identifying and addressing asbestos in your older home is crucial to safeguarding your family's health and well-being.
Identifying Asbestos in Your Home
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some home building materials likely to have asbestos include:
- Vinyl floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and adhesives
- Roofing shingles
- Siding
- Insulation containing vermiculite
- Hot water and steam pipes insulated with asbestos materials or blankets
- Fireplaces and stoves protected with asbestos paper, cement sheets, or millboard
- Furnaces and door gaskets insulated with asbestos materials
- Textured paint
- Patching compounds used on walls and ceilings
- Heat-resistant fabrics
- Artificial embers in fireplaces
- Clutches and brakes in your car
Handling Asbestos Safely
If you find or suspect you have asbestos in your home or are planning to renovate, taking proper precautions is essential. Hire a professional. Even minor repairs can risk spreading asbestos to the rest of your home, so you want to ensure that you hire someone trained in asbestos remediation. Contractors will often seal off the rest of your home while working to avoid contamination, and they can advise you on the best course of action to cover, seal, or remove asbestos from your home.
You Need an Experienced Asbestos Lawyer
If you or someone in your family is dealing with a cancer diagnosis from asbestos exposure, we can help. Call us at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online to schedule a consultation. The consultation is free, and there is never a fee unless we recover money on your behalf. We've been helping victims of asbestos exposure since 1972.
