Welcome back to our final post in this month-long examination of the history, science, and issues behind asbestos insulation. This building material is now infamous for being extremely toxic to humans; the tiny fibers in asbestos dust are easily trapped in the lungs when inhaled and can cause a myriad of deadly lung diseases. As we explored in the past few posts, asbestos became a very popular insulation material at the turn of the 20th century; but after hundreds of asbestos worker deaths, the public became fully aware of the danger behind their walls. In the 1970s and 1980s, the concern spun up into hysteria: asbestos was in our schools, churches, homes, and offices! Since then, sixty countries have banned the use of asbestos, but the United States is not one of them. While asbestos is highly regulated, it still has not been fully banned; it is unlikely to show up in a brand new home, although it may be in an older house that hasn’t been renovated in a long time. So, what do you do if you discover asbestos insulation in your home?

Recall the Sage Douglas Adams
It’s important not to panic; intact asbestos isn’t an inevitable health risk, and problems develop after extended exposure. It’s still worth testing your home; asbestos fibers can linger for years, and they can be found in a variety of different materials. Historically, asbestos has been used as a flame retardant in things like siding, paint, roof shingles, and tiles; not never mind asbestos insulation inside your walls. If you suspect that your house has asbestos, call the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); they will either inspect the house or guide you to a certified asbestos professional. Either way, a team will come take samples of materials from your home to test them for asbestos. Never take these samples yourself!

If the tests come back positive for asbestos, should you pay to have it removed? That depends on a few different factors; while it is unnerving to live in a home with a carcinogenic material, in some cases you may be safest just leaving things alone. As stated above, intact asbestos materials aren’t necessarily risky; the problems come when the product is disintegrating or may be disturbed. If the material is in a high-traffic area, is very old and falling apart, or is located in a place you plan to renovate, then it should be removed. The project should always be done by a professional contractor with asbestos experience; DIY is not recommended.

If the asbestos product is in relatively good condition and located in an area where it’s unlikely to be disturbed, then it may be better to leave it in place; removal may cause it to crumble and release fibers into the air. Keeping the asbestos doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself from it; the EPA suggests that you should seal or cover any remaining asbestos materials in your house. There are special products specifically made to coat asbestos materials and seal the fibers together permanently, preventing them from breaking loose; you can also have the asbestos wrapped up or closed off from the rest of the room. Whatever your situation, always consult with a professional. While asbestos can seem like a slumbering dragon inside your walls, it is a solvable problem and soon you’ll be able to breathe freely again.