Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once praised for its heat resistance and durability, was widely used in home construction materials for much of the 20th century. While its use has declined significantly due to serious health concerns, asbestos remains a hidden danger in many older homes. This guide from internetlawyers.net helps Arkansas homeowners understand where asbestos might be lurking, the potential health risks, and what steps to take if they suspect asbestos is present in their homes. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s crucial to understand your legal options. While this article provides general information, for specific legal advice, especially concerning mesothelioma in Arkansas, consulting with an Arkansas Mesothelioma Lawyer Vimeo is recommended.
Common Locations of Asbestos in Homes
Homes built before the 1980s are more likely to contain asbestos. It’s important to be aware of common products and areas where asbestos might be found. Remember, undisturbed asbestos is generally not harmful. The danger arises when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, releasing microscopic fibers into the air that can be inhaled.
Insulation Around Pipes and Ducts
Steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts were often insulated with asbestos blankets or paper tape. These materials can release asbestos fibers if they are damaged, disturbed during repairs, or improperly removed. Older homes in Arkansas, particularly those with original heating systems, should be inspected for this type of insulation.
Flooring Materials
Resilient floor tiles, including vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber tiles, along with the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and the adhesives used to install these floors, can contain asbestos. Sanding these tiles, or scraping and sanding the backing during removal, can release asbestos fibers. If you are renovating an older Arkansas home, exercise caution when dealing with flooring materials.
Cement and Paper Insulation
Cement sheet, millboard, and paper products were used as insulation around furnaces and wood-burning stoves due to asbestos’s fire-resistant properties. Repairing or removing these appliances, or cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing this insulation, can release asbestos fibers.
Door Gaskets
Door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves were sometimes made with asbestos. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during the normal use of these appliances. Regular inspection and careful replacement by a qualified professional are important.
Sprayed-On Soundproofing and Decorative Materials
Soundproofing or decorative materials sprayed on walls and ceilings may contain asbestos. If this material is loose, crumbly, water-damaged, or disturbed by sanding, drilling, or scraping, it can release asbestos fibers into the air.
Patching Compounds and Textured Paints
Patching and joint compounds used for walls and ceilings, as well as textured paints, were sometimes made with asbestos. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces can release asbestos. Avoid disturbing these surfaces in older homes without proper precautions.
Roofing and Siding
Asbestos cement roofing, shingles, and siding are durable but can release asbestos fibers if sawed, drilled, or cut. While generally less likely to release fibers than some indoor materials when undisturbed, damage or renovation can pose a risk.
Artificial Ashes and Older Household Products
Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos. Additionally, some older household products, such as fireproof gloves, stove-top pads, ironing board covers, and certain hairdryers, may also contain asbestos.
Automobile Brakes
While not in the home structure itself, it’s worth noting that older vehicles often used asbestos in brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and gaskets. While regulations have changed, mechanics working on older vehicles should be aware of this potential exposure.
Identifying Asbestos: When to Seek Professional Help
It’s crucial to understand that you cannot identify asbestos simply by looking at a material. Positive identification requires specialized testing by trained professionals using a polarized light microscope. Certified labs across the country can test building materials for asbestos.
If you suspect asbestos in your home, do not attempt to take samples yourself unless you have been specifically trained and equipped to do so. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release dangerous fibers. Contact a certified asbestos inspector or testing lab to get guidance on safe sample collection and testing procedures. The cost of testing is typically reasonable, often around $35 per sample, making it a worthwhile investment for peace of mind.
The Serious Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers are a known carcinogen, and there is no safe level of exposure. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to serious and potentially fatal diseases, including:
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by scarring from inhaled asbestos fibers, leading to breathing difficulties and heart failure.
- Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers.
- Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure.
The latency period between asbestos exposure and the onset of disease can be very long, sometimes decades (up to 30 years or more). This long latency period makes it challenging to trace the source of exposure and underscores the importance of preventing exposure now. If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos and are concerned about your health, consult with a medical professional. For those diagnosed with mesothelioma in Arkansas, seeking legal counsel from an Arkansas mesothelioma lawyer vimeo can help you understand your rights and options for compensation.
Arkansas Resources for Asbestos Information and Removal
The Arkansas Department of Environment and Energy (ADEE) is the primary agency in Arkansas managing asbestos licensing and training.
- Certified Asbestos Contractors/Consultants: To find qualified professionals for asbestos inspection, removal, or abatement in Arkansas, use the ADEE’s online search tool: Asbestos Contractors/Consultants Search | Air | DEQ.
- ADEE Asbestos Program Website: For comprehensive information about asbestos regulations, safety guidelines, and resources in Arkansas, visit the ADEE Asbestos website: Program Support | Air | DEQ.
If you are concerned about asbestos in your Arkansas home, remember: do not disturb suspected materials, get them professionally tested, and if removal or abatement is necessary, hire a certified asbestos contractor. Protecting your health and your family’s health is paramount. And if you are facing the challenges of mesothelioma, remember that resources, both medical and legal, are available in Arkansas to assist you. Connect with an Arkansas mesothelioma lawyer vimeo to explore your legal rights and options.
