Asbestos

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is resistant to heat and corrosion. It was widely used in insulation, automotive parts like brake pads, and building materials like roof and floor tiles. 

Breathing in or swallowing asbestos can lead to trapped fibers in the body. Over time, these fibers can cause inflammation and scarring, leading to severe health conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Key Facts About Asbestos

1. It’s linked to mesothelioma, lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancers.
2. More than 60 other countries have banned the use of asbestos. The U.S. announced a plan in 2024 to ban chrysotile asbestos.
3. CDC data shows mesothelioma killed 2,236 people in 2022.
4. Asbestos-related lung cancer causes an estimated 6,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Asbestos was once mined across North America. Now, most asbestos comes from Russia, Kazakhstan and China. It was used in ancient cultures, and industrial use started in the 19th century. Its widespread use in construction and manufacturing continued until the 1970s when health concerns grew.

Types of Asbestos

The 6 types of commercial asbestos are chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite, amosite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Other types of asbestos are called asbestiform minerals. All types of asbestos cause mesothelioma.

The 6 main types of asbestos fall into 2 categories: Amphibole and serpentine. Only chrysotile falls into the serpentine category. The rest are amphiboles.

Serpentine asbestos fibers are long and curly. Chrysotile is often white. Amphibole asbestos fibers are brittle, needle-like and range in color from green to blue to brown.

Common Uses of Asbestos

Asbestos was commonly used in industry and construction from the late 1800s to the 1980s. It was added to building materials, insulation, fireproofing and brakes because its strong fibers resist heat and electricity.

Asbestos was used in building materials because it is an effective insulator. It made items like cloth, paper, cement and plastic heat-resistant and stronger. Consumer products such as appliances, cosmetics, textiles and toys also contained asbestos.

These past uses have led to asbestos exposure in occupational settings, public buildings and homes throughout the United States. While the U.S. is no longer mining or using asbestos in products, the risk remains for blue-collar workers who work with legacy asbestos products.

What Are the Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos can cause various cancers, including mesothelioma, lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancers, as well as noncancerous lung conditions. However, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry notes that not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop health issues; the amount inhaled and the duration of exposure matter.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

• Asbestosis
• Diffuse pleural thickening
• Laryngeal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Ovarian cancer
• Pleural effusion
• Pleural plaques
• Pleurisy

Many people with related diseases were exposed to asbestos for long periods, while others were only exposed for a few weeks or months. Chuck Gast, a survivor of pleural mesothelioma, shared his experience of developing the disease just 6 weeks after working with asbestos at a furnace factory.

“I was 27 years old and never thought something like this would come back to haunt me,” Gast said. “That’s one job I should have never taken.”

How Can People Be Exposed to Asbestos?

Most asbestos exposure occurs at work, especially in power plants, chemical plants, steel and textile mills, factories, shipyards and automotive repair shops. Workers can bring asbestos fibers home on their clothes and body, exposing their families.

Asbestos can also be found in homes, public buildings and the environment. People living near natural deposits or contaminated sites may encounter asbestos. Many consumer products in the U.S. used to contain asbestos.

Occupations With High Asbestos Use

Asbestos was widely used in manufacturing, construction, power generation and the military. Workers in these diverse fields encountered asbestos. They unknowingly brought home fibers. This caused secondhand exposure among their families and others in the house.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reported that from 1940 to 1979, around 27 million workers were exposed to asbestos. Today, about 1.3 million workers in construction and industry still face asbestos exposure risks. Regulations have made workplaces safer, but some jobs, like those in the chlor-alkali industry, still risk asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-Containing Products

U.S. companies produced thousands of products containing asbestos until the 1980s. Legacy products found in renovation or demolition work currently cause the most exposure. Old buildings that contain legacy asbestos products pose the most significant risk.

Discontinued Asbestos Building Materials

• Asbestos adhesives, sealants and coatings
• Asbestos cement
• Asbestos-reinforced plastics
• Asbestos roofing felt
• Vinyl asbestos floor tiles

Long-term exposure to asbestos products occurs in occupational settings. These include factories, plants, construction sites and schools. Short-term exposure often happens at home during DIY renovations or auto brake work. 

Asbestos products for consumers are no longer made in the U.S. But they once included toasters, ovens, ironing pads and hair dryers. Cosmetics and toys have also exposed people to asbestos-contaminated talc.

Asbestos Suppliers and Manufacturers

Many manufacturers used asbestos in steam engines, pipes and trains. Later, it was used in boilers, gaskets, cement, roofing shingles and brake pads for cars.

Top asbestos companies are Johns Manville and W.R. Grace & Co. Other companies include Pittsburgh Corning and Armstrong Industries. These companies made and sold asbestos products, knowing they were risky for workers.

A 2019 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule states that manufacturers must seek government approval before selling discontinued uses of asbestos. Discontinued products include vinyl floor tiles, cement, roofing felt, adhesives, sealants and coatings. The EPA now has the right to review the risks of these materials before anyone can sell them.

History of Asbestos

The history of asbestos use dates to prehistoric times. Early humans added it to pottery for strength. Ancient Egyptians used asbestos in embalming to preserve pharaohs’ bodies. The ancient Greeks used its fire-resistant qualities for lamp wicks and funeral shrouds. In the Middle Ages, asbestos fibers were woven into textiles like tablecloths and clothing. ​

Industrial Era and Commercialization

The Industrial Revolution vastly increased asbestos use because of its insulating and fireproofing properties. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, asbestos was added to many products, including construction materials, automotive parts and household items.

Health Concerns and Regulation

Asbestos was widely used, but health concerns began in the early 20th century when workers in mines and factories showed high rates of lung issues. The first case of asbestosis was documented in 1924. By the 1960s, researchers linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma, a rare cancer.

Because of rising health risk evidence, many countries started limiting asbestos use in the 1970s. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set guidelines to reduce exposure, and industries pursued safer alternatives. 

Asbestos Laws & Regulations

Asbestos laws include standards for using, handling and removing older asbestos. These rules help protect public health. Local, state and federal regulations aim to reduce asbestos risks for workers and consumers.

Asbestos rules include testing, safety and disposal. They help reduce hazards for workers and communities. While American companies no longer make asbestos products, other countries still use asbestos in building materials. Imported roofing, joint compounds and gaskets may still contain asbestos.

Is Asbestos Banned?

In March 2024, the Biden administration announced it would ban chrysotile asbestos in the U.S. This ban does not cover other types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the only type imported into the country, and companies were given 12 years to stop using it.

U.S. manufacturers have stopped using asbestos and now use safer alternatives like polyurethane foam, silica fabric, cellulose fiber and thermoset plastic flour. These options are cheaper and can replace asbestos in cloth, insulation and paper.

Phasing Out Asbestos

The phase-out of asbestos began when significant medical evidence linked asbestos to cancer. Labor unions began to fight back. American companies phased out most uses of asbestos in the 1980s. By then, it was too late for the workers who handled asbestos products for decades.

Most of the asbestos that remains in buildings today is legacy asbestos. Asbestos is safe if undisturbed. However, renovations, demolition, fire or natural disasters can release its fibers. These microscopic fibers can become airborne and be inhaled.

Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits

Hundreds of thousands of patients and families have filed asbestos lawsuits. These claims provide vital compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. They cover medical bills and lost wages. Settlements average $1 million to $2 million in compensation for lawsuits.

Loved ones who develop mesothelioma through secondhand exposure may file a legal claim. People with mesothelioma may also file a claim against an asbestos trust fund. You can hire mesothelioma lawyers who specialize in asbestos litigation. They can help you file a claim. 

These claims hold the asbestos industry liable for the harm they’ve caused. Manufacturers hid evidence of the mineral’s health hazards. For years, they continued exposing workers and consumers.

How to Protect Yourself From Asbestos Exposure

Employers need to keep workplaces safe to avoid asbestos exposure and protect workers. Homes, military bases, offices, schools and public buildings built before the 1980s are less at risk.

It’s not safe for untrained individuals to remove asbestos. The EPA advises homeowners to avoid removing anything that could be asbestos. It’s better to hire certified asbestos professionals to protect your family.

These experts are trained to prevent asbestos exposure. Sometimes, leaving asbestos materials in place or sealing them is safer. For the best advice, talk to a certified local asbestos abatement expert.

Asbestos Resources and Support

Several federal and international agencies provide information on regulations, safety and statistics.

• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Cancer Institute
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• World Health Organization

These agencies frequently update their websites with new information on upcoming bills, initiatives and other asbestos-related news.

Common Questions About Asbestos

When did asbestos first start being used?

Archeologists estimate people began using asbestos as early as 4000 B.C. Large-scale mining and manufacturing of asbestos boomed during the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s. By the mid-1900s, people knew asbestos was harmful. The U.S. government began regulating it in the 1970s.

How can you identify asbestos products?

The only way to identify asbestos is through lab testing or professional inspection. Microscopic asbestos fibers have no smell or taste. They’re not easily identified by sight. Homeowners should hire a licensed asbestos professional to collect samples for testing.

Friable asbestos materials are easy to break or crumble by hand. When damaged, they can release toxic dust into the air. Nonfriable materials keep asbestos fibers trapped as long as they remain undisturbed. Sawing, scraping or smashing the product may release fibers.

What are the first signs of asbestos exposure?

Exposure to asbestos fibers has no initial signs or symptoms. The first signs of asbestos poisoning include the beginning symptoms of related diseases. Asbestos-related diseases first show as shortness of breath, a dry cough and chest or abdominal pain.

How can you be tested for asbestos exposure?

Tests can detect asbestos fibers in lung tissue, lung fluid, urine, stool and mucus. The best way to confirm asbestos exposure is to examine a biopsy of lung tissue. But these tests cannot determine how much asbestos is trapped in lung tissue. They also can’t predict whether a disease will develop.

Should I see a doctor if I have been exposed to asbestos?

You should see a doctor if you start to develop any symptoms. Tell your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure. Ask them to screen you for related diseases. After a mesothelioma diagnosis, get a second opinion from a mesothelioma medical specialist.

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