Frequently Asked Questions about Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM)
Federal and state agencies regulate how asbestos-containing materials (ACM) must be handled during renovation or demolition projects. Those exposed to asbestos are risk to develop serious illnesses such as mesothelioma cancer, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis several decades after exposure.
Where are ACM materials found?Why is asbestos so dangerous?
Is my family’s health at risk from ACM?
Rules for removing and disposing of ACM
Asbestos-containing consumer products
How can Weitz & Luxenberg help?
Where are ACM materials found?
Virtually every building constructed before the 1970s was built using materials that contained asbestos. Private homes, condominium and apartment complexes, office buildings, schools, shopping centers and even arenas and stadiums built during that time were constructed using asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos was used in building insulation and cement products used to insulate boilers, furnaces, heating pipes and hot water pipes. It was also used as a component of the adhesive glues used to apply wall and floor tiles in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as vinyl and linoleum floors. In addition, asbestos was sometimes added to plaster used in the construction of older schools and office buildings.
In commercial buildings like shopping malls or concert arenas, asbestos was often used in the subflooring materials. In residential construction, buildings that were not built with original hardwood floors or constructed with crawl spaces instead of basements are also likely to have asbestos-containing subflooring.
Why is Asbestos So Dangerous?
While asbestos was used in construction and other applications because of its natural fire-retardant properties, the serious health problems associated with exposure to asbestos were not known well known until the middle of the 20th century.
When asbestos materials are disturbed, dust and tiny fibers are released into the air. Because these microscopic fibers asbestos have sharp edges, they attach to lung tissue and cannot be expelled by coughing, sneezing or blowing one’s nose.
Asbestos latency periods (the time between first exposure and when symptoms of lung disease are noticeable) are typically 30-40 or more years. During this decades-long latency period, the asbestos fibers can cause lung tissue to scar, which can result in any number of chronic pulmonary conditions such as emphysema, COPD and pleural plaques disease to develop. In more serious cases, the asbestos triggers abnormal lung cells to develop, which can cause lung cancer or mesothelioma tumors to grow.
Is my family’s health at risk from ACM in my home?As long as asbestos materials are left undisturbed or can be encapsulated (sealed), there is minimal risk for exposure to the dangerous mineral.
While those who have been exposed to asbestos in the recent past are rightly concerned about their risk for disease, because of the latency period explained above, there is no immediate cause for concern.
However, it is vital that you inform your doctor about your asbestos exposure so that your health can be carefully monitored over the years. Should any asbestos disease develop, it can then be caught and treated at its earliest possible stage.
Are there any special laws, rules or regulations I need to follow before I remove and dispose of ACM when remodeling my home?
Yes, yes and yes.
Even those very highly skilled in DIY projects know that significant renovation projects involving work on gas or water lines, the electrical system, or structural changes to exterior or load bearing walls are best left to certified professionals. Otherwise, homeowners may risk fines for violations of local building ordinances.
Unfortunately, each year hundreds of private homeowners find themselves facing thousands of dollars in penalties, fines and legal fees associated with the illegal removal and disposal of ACM.
For renovations that will involve disturbing or removing ACM, both state and federal regulations require that these jobs be performed only by certified asbestos abatement and removal contractors. A certified asbestos contractor will inspect the job site, file paperwork with the state about the type of ACM to be removed, the dates the work will be done and where the ACM will be taken for disposal.
Are there still consumer or other products being sold that contain asbestos?
While asbestos was essentially banned in the United States in the 1980s, a court ruling overturning the ban has resulted in a number of asbestos products to still be manufactured and sold.
Asbestos is still used in many heat-generating home appliances, including stoves, dishwashers and toaster ovens, as well as hair dyers and other hair care appliances. Asbestos is also used in refrigerator and freezer motor insulation, in gaskets on wood burning ovens, and in the decorative ash, embers and logs found in gas fireplaces.
Asbestos is still used to insulate brakes and clutches used in cars, trucks and railroad cars, where professional mechanics follow EPA guidelines to prevent asbestos exposure on the job.
However, since the brake and clutch parts sold in automotive repair stores also contain asbestos, it is very important that home mechanics make certain they understand how to repair and replace these parts to prevent exposure, as well as following EPA guidelines for disposing of old brake and clutch parts.I have a family member that has been diagnosed with an asbestos disease. How can Weitz & Luxenberg help?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we may be able to help you to seek justice for your illness and file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Please complete the form on this page for a free and confidential review of your potential asbestos lawsuit or request a free copy of our asbestos sourcebook.
A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.
Law firm: Exposure to asbestos can occur from home-driveway materials