Many people think that asbestos was banned in the United States and that there are no longer any products that contain this compound.

However, this is inaccurate, and you may in fact have a household product (or several) that contains asbestos.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is found in mines. It was used in a variety of applications decades ago due to its superior fire retardant properties and its use as an effective insulating material.

Why Is Asbestos a Problem?

Asbestos can cause diseases in the body, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs. It is almost exclusively caused by the inhaling of asbestos fibers. Other deadly respiratory diseases have also been linked to asbestos exposure.

On its own, asbestos is typically inert if left undisturbed. However, during construction remodeling projects and other activities which may cause the asbestos fibers to become airborne, people nearby may be subject to dangerous asbestos exposure.

In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of asbestos. But a federal court soon created an exception to that ban. The court said that products that historically had a use of asbestos were permitted, but new uses of the material could be banned.

Products Still Made with Asbestos Today

How might you know if you are using a product that contains asbestos? There are several categories of products that may still use asbestos in their manufacture. If you use a product in these categories, you may find that it contains asbestos.

Gardening Soil: Many garden hobbyists are not aware that soil can contain asbestos. A particular substance known as vermiculite is primarily mined from a location in Montana that was known to be contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite mined from other locations is also very likely to contain at least trace amounts of asbestos.

Fireproof Clothing: In general, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned the use of asbestos and all types of clothing except for that used in specialized situations.

Firefighters’ uniforms contain asbestos, and so do the mitts that glassblowers use. However, the average consumer will not find asbestos-containing clothing in a retail location.

Construction Materials: Many construction materials today still have at least some amount of asbestos contained in them. The most common asbestos-containing products include prefabricated cement, corrugated sheeting and roofing tiles.

Construction workers who come into contact with these products on a daily basis are the most at-risk, but DIY homeowners can also be exposed to the asbestos in brand-new or old materials.

Insulation: Most types of insulation used today no longer contain asbestos, but some materials can contain up to 1% of asbestos.

Typically, the asbestos is properly contained within these building materials. But construction workers and do-it-yourself homeowners remodeling their home will need to be cautious about the possibility of exposure when handling these materials.

Automotive Parts: Asbestos is still quite widely used in vehicle parts. Common car parts that likely contain asbestos include the clutch, gaskets or brake pads.

Mechanics are very susceptible to developing asbestos -related diseases due to their line of work. This does not just include your local car mechanic but also mechanics who work on airplanes, helicopters and ships.

What to Do If You Suspect You Have a Product That Contains Asbestos

If you suspect that you have a product that contains asbestos that may be disturbed during a home remodeling project or even during the course of your work, it is a good idea to contact your state’s environmental agency to get more information to be sure you can protect yourself from asbestos exposure.