According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in many products during the 1930s through the 1970s. Asbestos was added to many building products because of its ability to strengthen these products and to add heat insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can cause lung cancer or mesothelioma. Although more than 3,000 products have contained asbestos over the years, the material is not commonly used in products today. Items with asbestos content are now carefully regulated by the EPA to ensure minimal risk to the consumer.
Fire Protection Products
Asbestos has historically been used in many fire protection products.These items include fireproof clothing used by fire fighting personnel, fire blankets used to put out fires, fire curtains used as protective devices, fire doors and spray-on fireproofing.
Automotive Products
Some automotive products that can contain asbestos include disc brake pads, drum brake linings, brake blocks, clutch plates, clutch facings and automatic transmission components.
Building Materials
Building materials have been the most common sources of asbestos the past few decades. Building materials made with asbestos include flooring materials such as resilient floor tiles, carpet tiles, asphalt floor tiles, carpet mastic, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives used to install floor tile. Wall and ceiling products have also contained asbestos. These include patching and joint compounds, textured paints, acoustical plaster, wall panels, vinyl wall coverings, caulking and putties, wallboard, decorative plaster, outdoor siding, ceiling tiles, ceiling textures and ceiling panels. Roofing materials made of asbestos may include cement roofing, shingles, attic insulation, base flashing and roofing felt.
Heating and Cooling System Products
Heating and cooling products often contained asbestos because it was used to provide a good source of insulation for these materials. Products in this category containing asbestos have included boiler insulation, duct work insulation, heat shields, pipe elbow insulation, cooling towers, furnace insulation, gaskets, tank casings and pipeline wrap.
Common Household Products
Asbestos may be found in many older household products still in use. These items include older hair dryers, ironing board covers, door gaskets on wood stoves, table pads, appliance components and artificial embers for gas fireplaces.
Electrical Products
Asbestos has also been used in the manufacture of electrical products. These include cloth wire insulation, electrical breakers, electrical panel partitions and insulating cloth.
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