Effects of Asbestos on Health

Asbestos is a mineral fiber naturally found in the soil,  and it was once commonly used in houses for heat insulation, fire resistance, and a variety of other uses from the 1930s to the 1950s. Because asbestos fibers are too small to be identified with the human eye, products suspected of having asbestos must be verified by a professional. 

Where is asbestos in the home?

There are many places in the home that asbestos can be found in. It’s important to remember that since asbestos is a natural mineral fiber, everyone breathes in a small amount of asbestos throughout their life but usually does not develop serious health problems. However, if it is used in the manufacturing of home products, it can be detrimental to human health when its fibers are released in the home. 

Asbestos is commonly found in: 

  • Steam pipes 

  • Boilers

  • Resilient floor tiles 

  • Cement sheet 

  • Millboard 

  • Door gaskets 

  • Soundproofing material 

  • Textured pain 

  • Asbestos cement roofing, shingles, and siding 

  • Artificial ashes 

  • Fireproof gloves 

  • Stove-top pads

  • Ironing board covers 

  • Hairdryers 

The walls and floors around wood burning stoves or other areas surrounding high heat are especially prone to having products with asbestos surrounding them for heat resilience. When remodeling homes, replacing plumbing, or disturbing products with asbestos, the fibers are released and may be inhaled into the lungs, causing a spectrum of severe health complications.

What are the effects of asbestos on health?

Asbestos can have extremely harmful consequences on health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it has been classified as a human carcinogen. While it may take continuous exposure to asbestos fibers for over 20 - 30 years for negative effects, even short term exposure is deemed unsafe. 

Effects of asbestos on the human body may include but are not limited to: 

  • Lung Cancer

    • Symptoms include coughing up blood and chest pain. Smokers are at a higher risk of lung cancer than non-smokers.

  • Mesothelioma

    • Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that can manifest in the lining of organs even from minimal amounts of asbestos exposure.

  • Asbestosis 

    • This is a non-cancerous lung disease as a result of asbestos fibers being inhaled into the lungs and permanently scarring it.

What do you do if you believe you have asbestos in the home?

If you believe you may have asbestos in your home, it should be handled with the utmost precaution and by certified professionals. Thus, if you suspect a certain product may have asbestos, the best course of action is to not risk the release of more asbestos fibers by disturbing it. 

  1. Section off the area. Be wary of tears, abrasions, and other damage that may release asbestos fibers.

  2. Check with your EPA Regional Office’s Asbestos Coordinator. They can provide you further information on the handling and disposal of asbestos along with finding certified professionals. Labs accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program can be utilized for finding one that handles asbestos testing.

  3. Contact certified professionals for analysis. It is recommended to only hire professionals licensed by the California Contractors State Board to take samples of the product and handle the disposal of the asbestos.

  4. Contact your healthcare provider.

The damaging effects of asbestos fibers on one’s health is not to be underestimated, so it is important to know your rights as a tenant. If you have more questions, especially regarding legal assistance, reach out to us using our intake form. You can find other articles guiding what to do if you have bed bugs, mold, lead, or other housing problems here on the blog at Tenants of LA.

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