What Is Asbestos?
By Daniel SmokeDirector of Operations
If your building was constructed before 1980, it may contain asbestos. The fibers only become a health hazard when the material is disturbed or begins to deteriorate. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber. It was incorporated into hundreds of building products throughout most of the 20th century because of its fire resistance, durability, and low cost. That was before its serious health risks were understood. It remains present in millions of older buildings across the United States today.
What Asbestos Is Made Of
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals composed of long, thin fibrous crystals. The most common forms used in construction were chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Chrysotile accounted for approximately 95% of asbestos used in the United States. All forms are considered hazardous when fibers become airborne.
Why Asbestos Was Used in Buildings
Asbestos was prized by builders and manufacturers for several properties. It is highly resistant to heat and fire, it does not conduct electricity, it resists chemical damage, and it is extremely durable. These qualities made it attractive for insulation, fireproofing, roofing, flooring, and dozens of other applications. Use was especially widespread from the 1930s through the 1970s, before health regulations began to restrict it.
Why Asbestos Is Dangerous
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, through renovation, demolition, or deterioration, microscopic fibers are released into the air. These fibers are invisible to the naked eye and can remain suspended for hours. When inhaled, they can become lodged in lung tissue and remain there permanently. Over time, this can cause serious diseases including mesothelioma (an aggressive cancer), lung cancer, and asbestosis (a chronic lung disease). These conditions typically take 10–40 years to develop after exposure.
When Asbestos Is a Risk
Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and undisturbed generally do not release fibers and present little immediate risk. The danger arises when materials are damaged, deteriorating, or disturbed during construction activity. Friable asbestos, material that crumbles easily, is the highest-risk category because fibers can be released by even minor disturbance. Non-friable asbestos, such as floor tiles in good condition, is lower risk but still requires proper management.
Asbestos in Buildings Today
The use of most asbestos products was phased out in the United States after the 1970s. But no complete ban has ever been enacted on all asbestos-containing products. Buildings constructed before 1980 are most likely to contain asbestos, but some products used into the 1990s also contained it. If you own, manage, or are purchasing an older property, professional asbestos testing is the only way to know whether asbestos-containing materials are present.
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