Asbestos Siding Exposure

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.

Asbestos siding exposure.

Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. Asbestos remediation and removal. It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground.

They may develop prior to mesothelioma or lung cancer. While these are obviously terrible diseases the risk associated with exposure from asbestos cement siding isn t that great unless you re cutting drilling or removing damaged siding. Asbestos house siding was used in many homes until the epa banned its use in new products in 1989. Asbestos siding was essentially a cement siding product that asbestos fibers had been added to.

Pleural plaques are a sign that a person had enough exposure to be at risk of other diseases. Permissible exposure limit pel for asbestos is 0 1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air as an eight hour time weighted average twa with an excursion limit el of 1 0 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter over a 30 minute period. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. The problems arise with the siding contractors that were exposed to it and cutting it over long periods of time which have over time led to a lot of case of mesothelioma.

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Health risks with asbestos siding. Mesothelioma and other cancers as well as asbestosis and other lung diseases are a serious danger after continued long term exposure to fibers from asbestos containing materials acms.

This was done in order to add fireproofing and stability to cement siding so that it wouldn t crack or break as easily. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Signs of asbestos exposure the most common signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath cough and chest pain. Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can cause shortness of breath coughing and permanent lung damage and other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders including pleural plaques changes in the membranes surrounding the lung pleural thickening and benign pleural effusions abnormal collections of fluid between the thin layers of tissue lining the lungs and the wall of the chest cavity.

According to the epa exposure to asbestos can lead to lung diseases like lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos is safe as long as it s not airborne and you don t inhale it.