Abestos
There are six types of regulated asbestos: Actinolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Chrysotile, Crocidolite, and Tremolite. Chrysotile is by far the most prolific and the type that we see most commonly in the lab. In our expirence, the next most common types are Amosite and Crocidolite. Amosite was used in a variety of products but we see it most commonly in old ceiling tiles. We occasionally see crocidolite in a type of boiler insulation commonly called "blue mud."
From left to right: Naturally Occuring Actinolite, Amosite from an Indian source, Naturally occuring Anthophyllite, Chrysotile from a former mine in Globe Arizona, Blue Crocidolite Fibers, and Vermiculite from Libby Montana - some vermiculite contains tremolite asbestos
Asbestos has been used in a variety of products throughout the ages to strengthen and improve heat resitance. Asbestos can be made airborne and breathed through the lungs, causing adverse health effects. For more information about health effects, see the Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry website on asbestos here.
Many homes throughout the United States (even newer ones!) can contain asbestos. It is required by Colorado to test for asbestos before starting any demo/remodeling work which may disturb materials that potentially contain asbestos. We recommend having a professional inspector look for the potential asbestos for you. They will be able to recommend a course of action if your home does contain asbestos. If you do decide to bring in your own samples, please read the excerpt from the EPA Doc Asbestos in the Home below.
How To Identify Materials That Contain Asbestos
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 or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. A 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. In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended. If you nevertheless choose to take the samples yourself, take care not to release asbestos fibers into the air or onto yourself. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone. Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. Anyone who samples asbestos-containing materials should have as much information as possible on the handling of asbestos before sampling, and at a minimum, should observe the following procedures:
- Make sure no one else is in the room when sampling is done.
- Wear disposable gloves or wash hands after sampling.
- Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
- Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.
- Place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area to be sampled.
- Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos fibers.
- Carefully cut a piece from the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife, corer, or other sharp object. Place the small piece into a clean container (for example, a 35 mm film canister, small glass or plastic vial, or high quality resealable plastic bag).
- Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.
- Carefully dispose of the plastic sheet. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled. Dispose of asbestos materials according to state and local procedures.
- Label the container with an identification number and clearly state when and where the sample was taken.
- Patch the sampled area with the smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.
- Send the sample to an asbestos analysis laboratory accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) at the National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST). A directory of NVLAP-accredited laboratories is available on the NVLAP web site, http://ts.nist.gov/nvlap. Your state or local health department may also be able to help.
Many materials potentially contain asbestos. The following is a list of matierals that may contain asbestos taken from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) document GENERAL INFORMATION ON ASBESTOS. This list is intended to be a general reference tool. Some materials that are not listed here may still have asbestos. If in doubt, treat it like it contains asbestos until a test confirms otherwise.
Materials that commonly contain Asbestos Acoustical Plaster Decorative Plaster Joint Compounds Adhesives and Mastics Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections Laboratory Gloves Asphalt Floor Tile Electric Wiring Insulation Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops Base Flashing Electical Cloth Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations) Blown-in Insulation Electrical Panel Partitions Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc) Boiler Insulation Elevator Brake Shoes Roofing Felt Breaching Insulation Elevator Equipment Pads Roofing Shingles Carpet Backings Fire Blankets Spackling Compounds Caulking/Putties Fire Curtains Spray-Applied Insulation Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels Fire Doors Taping Compounds (thermal) Cement Pipes Fireproofing Materials Textured Paints/Coatings Cement siding Flooring and Backing Thermal Paper Products Cement Wallboard Heating and Electrical Ducts Vinyl Floor Tile Chalkboards High Temperature Gaskets Vinyl Sheet Flooring Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling, etc) High Temperature Paper Products Vinyl Wall Coverings Cooling Towers HVAC Duct Insulation Wallboard
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has a very informative website on asbestos here. Also, please don't hesistate to the call or email the laboratory for more information.