Asbestos Materials Guide: The Top Asbestos-Containing Materials

While asbestos may have only one name, it shows up in our homes in a wide variety of asbestos materials. While some are well-known, like popcorn ceilings, other asbestos containing materials  are not and can remain under the radar to this day. 

It’s time to shine a spotlight on all of these hazardous asbestos materials that have silently crept into countless homes, commercial buildings, and real estate. With such a negative effect on public health and safety, informing others of the numerous types of materials containing is the safest way forward. 

In this comprehensive guide, APM will use years of industry experience and customer service to highlight the variety of materials with asbestos still in homes today and what you should do if you identify asbestos-containing materials. 

What Are Potential Asbestos-Containing Materials?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals resistant to corrosion and heat. Due to these properties, companies used asbestos containing materials in various building products from the late 19th century to the early 1970s. Commonly used asbestos materials and building products included asbestos roofing material, wallboard, fireproofing, insulation, and cement materials.

In the 1970s, researchers discovered the link between exposure to materials containing asbestos and health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Accordingly, the production and use of the hazardous materialdeclined drastically.

Are Asbestos-Containing Materials Still Produced in the USA Today?

Since the late 1970s, the United States has passed laws limiting the use of materials with asbestos. These ban companies and individuals from using the hazardous materials where it could be released into the air, require periodic inspections to ensure asbestos materials are undamaged and intact, and establish guidelines to ensure asbestos particles aren’t released during use. In 1989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partially banned the use of asbestos in many industries.

Due to these laws, there has been a drastic decline in the production and use of asbestos materials in the United States. However, some materials, especially in buildings constructed before 1989, contain asbestos. As such, you should get an asbestos inspection if you live or work in an older building. 

If you suspect that your office or residential building has asbestos-containing materials, contact asbestos testing and removal services such as Asbestos Project Management. As the leading consultants and contractors in northern Illinois for mold and asbestos, we can identify and remove asbestos materials quickly and cost-effectively.

What Are Potential Asbestos-Containing Materials: The Top 10 Asbestos Materials and Products

If you live in a building constructed before the 1970s, you may have asked yourself, “What are potential asbestos-containing materials? What building materials are most likely to contain asbestos?” 

Asbestos-containing materials are generally found in structures that line building exteriors and interiors. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most common exterior and interior asbestos materials that can be found in your home.

Exterior Asbestos-Containing Materials 

Unfortunately, asbestos materials can be found in a variety of places. However, in our experience, we have identified the most common exterior materials that contain asbestos. Here are the most common exterior asbestos-containing materials:

1. Asbestos Roofing Materials

In the past, manufacturers added asbestos fibers to asbestos roofing materials to strengthen them and provide a limited amount of fireproofing and insulation. Examples of asbestos roofing materials include asphalt roofing felt, sealants, flashing, cement roofing shingles, and roof underlayment.

2. Asbestos Siding

Manufacturers added asbestos fibers to siding materials to increase their durability, provide fireproofing, and build insulation. While siding is important in protecting the structural integrity of any building, asbestos siding should always be removed and replaced. 

3. Cement or Asbestos Cement (AC) Sheets

Manufacturers also added asbestos fibers to cement and cement sheets for reinforcement. Asbestos cement was available in large quantities after the Second World War and was widely advertised as a fireproof alternative to other roofing materials such as asphalt.

Interior Asbestos-Containing Materials

Manufacturers also created and used interior asbestos-containing materials. These include:

1. Insulation with Asbestos Fibers

While being cold is never fun, avoiding asbestos should be your primary concern. Asbestos may be found in many different insulation materials, including wall, attic, and pipe insulation.

2. Paint Containing Asbestos

From 1945 to the 1980s, asbestos was added to spray paint for popcorn (AKA stipple or acoustic) and textured ceilings. While this type of paint was popular due to its insulation ability and aesthetic, popcorn ceilings and asbestos paint should be removed as soon as possible from your home.

3. Asbestos Ceiling Tiles

Don’t forget to look up! Many types of ceiling tiles and materials that were made before 1989 contain asbestos fibers for insulation and fireproofing. If your home contains asbestos ceiling tiles you need to take great care.

4. Flooring Tiles with Asbestos

Watch your step, you could be walking on flooring tiles with asbestos! Many asbestos floor tiles and other types of asbestos flooring made before 1989 may also contain asbestos fibers. 

5. Drywall With Asbestos Fibers

Almost all drywall building parts contained asbestos before the early 1970s. Manufacturers added asbestos fibers to drywall materials to make them stronger, lighter, and more fire-resistant.If you are changing or removing drywall, you should test the materials with an at-home asbestos test kit.

6. Constructive Adhesives

Asbestos fibers were common construction adhesive materials due to their heat resistance and strength. They were used in oil boilers, vinyl, and other fixtures.  

7. Pipe Seals and Gaskets

While out of sight, these asbestos-containing materials should not be out of mind. Because these are usually exposed to high levels of chemicals and heat, manufacturers added asbestos fibers to make them durable and heat resistant.

How Can Asbestos Project Management Help with Asbestos-Containing Materials?

If you suspect that you live or work in an asbestos building, contact Asbestos Project Management. We have deep experience identifying and removing asbestos-containing materials in various building types, including industrial structures, residential properties, commercial properties, and municipal buildings. Our three main services include:

1. Asbestos Inspection: Our experienced contractors can identify and quantify the amount of asbestos materials your home or real estate may contain, preventing project delays and expensive decontamination due to accidental asbestos contamination.
2. Asbestos Test (even at-home!): Asbestos Project Management’s priority is keeping your family safe from asbestos in your home. In addition to our professional testing services, we offer affordable, fast, and reliable at-home testing kits that give you results in less than half the time of a traditional asbestos inspection. All you have to do is collect samples, complete the submittal form, and send the samples to us.
3. Asbestos Removal: When it comes to asbestos, removal is always better than encapsulation. Asbestos Project Management uses the latest abatement equipment and techniques to remove asbestos. Our eye for detail ensures that each project is completed safely and effectively. 

Asbestos Removal for Real Estate Professionals and Homeowners

While the real estate and housing market will always fluctuate, the importance of identifying and removing asbestos will never change. When it comes to real estate, passing property from one person to another often means updates to the existing structure. 

While you should always love the way your home looks, these alterations can disturb asbestos-containing materials and release their deadly fibers. This is why APM specifically offers professional asbestos services to the real estate industry, where asbestos issues can be prevalent and costly.

See how an asbestos inspection can help your home’s market value and be an important part of the selling process in our recent blog!

Remove All Asbestos-Containing Materials from Your Home With APM

Asbestos materials don’t belong in our homes, which is why it is important for you to identify what type of asbestos-containing materials could be lurking. Keep your family safe and healthy with APM’s professional asbestos services. 

Interested in experiencing the Asbestos Project Management difference? Call 630-291-7111 or fill out our form to get a free estimate.