Asbestos Information

 

Asbestos is the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite (cummingtonite/grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite; and actinolite.  It is a group of minerals with long, thin fibrous crystals. 

• Chrysotile: Curly fibers obtained from serpentine rocks.  Chrysotile is the most common asbestos type used in building products in America.  Building products such as joint compounds, corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets, warehouses, garages, flat sheets ceilings and walls.  Other items made containing chrysotile include brake linings, cloth behind fuses (for fire protection), pipe insulation, and floor tiles.
• Crocidolite:  Soft friable fibers.
• Amosite:  Used as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles.
• Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite are less common in industrial products, but have been reported to occur in some consumer related products.

Asbestos became more desirable for use in manufacturing products in the late 19th century because of its many advantages.  Some of which are:  heat resistance, chemical resistance, sound absorption, and tensile strength.

Because of the above properties, asbestos was once used in the manufacturing of the below products:

• Asbestos-Cement Corrugated Sheet
• Roof Coatings
• Asbestos Clothing
• Clutch Facings
• Commercial And Industrial Asbestos Friction Products
• Rollboard
• Asbestos-Cement Flat Sheet
• Flooring Felt
• Non-Roof Coatings
• Disc Brake Pads
• Sheet And Beater-Add Gaskets (Except Specialty Industrial)
• Asbestos-Cement Pipe
• Pipeline Wrap
• Vinyl/Asbestos Floor Tile
• Drum Brake Linings
• Commercial, Corrugated, And Specialty Paper
• Asbestos-Cement Shingle
• Roofing Felt
• Automatic Transmission Components
• Brake Blocks
• Millboard

Exposure to airborne friable asbestos causes asbestos fibers to be inhaled into the lungs.  These fibers embed in lung tissue and over time may cause serious lung diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.   People working with the products listed above have an increased risk for developing an asbestos related disease.

Occupations that may be associated as having had a source of asbestos are:

• Manufacturing of Asbestos Products 
• Construction Contractors and Subcontractors
• Welders
• Maritime Workers
• Miners and Drillmen
• Auto Mechanics
• Building Inspectors
• Carpenters
• Insulators
• Sheet metal workers
• United States Military (Navy/Marines) Veterans
• Welders
• Oil Refinery Workers
• Any company working with asbestos containing products.

To help prevent exposure to asbestos containing materials, there have been many laws and regulations passed to protect employees. 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has implemented an asbestos ban and phase out of asbestos containing materials (ACM).  On July 12, 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule banning most asbestos-containing products.  This regulation was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans in 1991.  The following asbestos-containing products remain banned as a result of the Court’s decision:  flooring felt, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial, or specialty paper.  The regulation continues to ban new uses of asbestos.  For more information, read the EPA Asbestos Material Ban Clarification.

Federal Register Notices regarding Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM):

• Asbestos:  Manufacture, Importation, Processing, and Distribution in Commerce Prohibitions; 40 CFR Part 763 FRL 3476-2.

• Asbestos:  Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution Prohibitions; Effect of Court Decision; Continuing Restrictions on Certain Asbestos-Containing Products; 40 CFR Part 763 FRL 4044-2.

• Asbestos:  Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution Prohibitions; Effect of Court Decision; Continuing Restrictions on Certain Asbestos-Containing Products; 40 CFR Part 763 FRL 4635-7.

• Technical Amendment in Response to Court Decision on Asbestos:  Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution Prohibitions; Technical Amendment; 40 CFR Part 763 FRL 4776-7.

• Asbestos:  Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution Prohibitions; Labeling Requirements; 54 FR 29507.

• Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools; 52 FR 41846. 

 

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