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“There are more than 4,000 new cases of asbestos-related diseases in the US every year. That rate was supposed to have peaked by now, more than 40 years after the federal government drafted rules to limit asbestos exposure, but it has not.” Reported WBUR’s Martha Bebinger in a recent story about asbestos.

We’re experiencing one of the biggest building booms in decades in the Boston area. According to the WBUR report, Massachusetts issued almost 24,000 asbestos permits in 2015, a more than 50% increase over five years. And those were just for the projects where there was known asbestos.

What exactly is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in many different parts of the world including the United States and Canada. Its composition makes it incredibly durable and extremely resistant to heat and degradation. These properties made asbestos an ideal material for the building industry.

Many consider asbestos to be an environmental concern from decades past. However, its widespread use before the introduction of regulations make it a continued risk today, especially in older buildings. According to the Center for Disease Control, the most likely method of exposure to this toxin occurs during renovation projects or routine maintenance.

In our experience, we’ve found that more than 50% of renovation projects in buildings built before 1979 require asbestos abatement. New England has a high percentage of older buildings, making asbestos products commonplace. We see abatement on schools, commercial and industrial buildings.

So what’s the problem?

Another physical property of asbestos is its ability to break apart into tiny fibers, a tendency better known as friability. These fibers cannot be seen by the naked eye, and due to their small size, the fibers can easily be swept into the air when disturbed. Once airborne, the fibers can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, creating scar tissue. Decades later, more serious health concerns may arise, including cancers like mesothelioma or lung diseases like asbestosis. Avoiding exposure to asbestos or seeking treatment for these conditions becomes more challenging because people may not know they were exposed in the first place. The good news is that asbestos is only dangerous when it’s disturbed, such as during a renovation project. When handled correctly, much of the danger can be mitigated.

What’s it doing in my building?

Today we know that asbestos is dangerous to human health, which is why its use is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. So why is it still a cause for concern?

Asbestos only began to be regulated in the 1970s, which means the most likely reason you could encounter asbestos in your building is simply because it was constructed before that time. Additionally asbestos was used in a wide variety of materials, so it’s likely to be present in some form.

Common construction materials that may contain asbestos include:  

1. Heating system and pipe insulation
2. Floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring
3. Siding and roofing products
4. Fireproofing
5. Adhesives, mastics and sealants
6. Prefabricated cement
7. Corrugated sheeting

It’s also important to note that despite regulations, asbestos has not been fully banned in the United States. In fact, the EPA specifies certain allowable uses for asbestos in particular products. A list of these products can be found here.

What action should I take?

If you’re planning a renovation project and suspect that your building might contain asbestos, the first thing you should do is contact a licensed asbestos company in your state to perform an inspection of your property and issue a formal report.

If asbestos is present in your building, take precautions to avoid disturbing the material and accidentally exposing yourself or others. Asbestos can be deadly, and it’s important to call in licensed professionals in order to minimize any health risks. The asbestos can either be removed or encapsulated. Removing it costs more and takes more time. However, choosing to encapsulate it, is just a temporary solution; you will probably need to remove it the next time you renovate.

Contact us to see how we can help you with your next construction project.

This blog post was written in conjunction with Anna Suarez, a health advocate, whose passion is spreading awareness and educating others about the dangers of asbestos.