Consumers: Handle Asbestos With Care

The health risks associated with asbestos have attracted headlines recently as the number of individuals suffering from asbestos-related illness has increased. Asbestos, a naturally occurring heat-resistant mineral fiber, is a danger to public health and an air contaminant for which there is no known safe level of exposure. When inhaled, the fibers remain in the body for years, and are proven to cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

For many years, because of its fire retardant quality, asbestos was used in the manufacture of a variety of products including building insulation, fireproofing, casing for electrical wires, automobile brake linings, roofing and siding, as well as ceiling and floor tile, among others. It could also be found in products ranging from cigarette filters to children's crayons. Since it has been revealed to be a serious health threat, asbestos has been removed or banned from many of its uses.

Despite the ban, asbestos is drawing attention because those who worked in close contact with it decades ago are only now becoming ill. One recent high-profile death occurred in 2003, when 56-year-old rock singer and songwriter Warren Zevon succumbed to mesothelioma, a deadly type of asbestos-related cancer that affects the lining of the chest. Like Zevon, 27.5 million American workers in various industries were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1979, according to the Rand Institute for Civil Justice. Each year about 2,500 new cases are diagnosed in the United States and the number is predicted to swell to 225,000 by 2009.

Many Older Homes Contain Fibers
It has become clear that those who worked with asbestos in construction and certain other industries may have been at risk, but what about the rest of us? Are we at risk?

Asbestos can still be found in the form of insulation and other building materials in millions of American homes, schools and businesses built before the 1970s. It also may be present in textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints prior to 1977. Asbestos material that will crumble easily if handled; asbestos-containing materials that have been scraped, sawed or sanded are more likely to pose a health hazard. Nevertheless, average consumers do not appear to be at great risk for illness unless they try to remove asbestos-containing materials on their own.

"The risks to the consumer associated with asbestos are very low. Exposure occurs during the dismantling of asbestos, which releases the fibers. The likelihood of this happening is much less than in the past," said Richard M. Effros, MD, Professor Emeritus (pulmonary medicine) at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

If you believe there may be asbestos in your home, there is no reason to panic. "Many old houses still have asbestos insulation or shingles. If you have a repair problem or you want to remove these items, it is probably best to have someone who knows what they are doing come in and do the work," Dr. Effros stressed.

In an effort to protect citizens, many states and municipalities have enacted ordinances requiring the use of asbestos abatement companies to safely remove asbestos-containing materials. As recently as March of 2003, some US Senators called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a public education campaign to warn homeowners about the potential hazards of asbestos-contaminated attic insulation in older homes.

Primary Health Risks
There are four primary complications that can result from inhaling asbestos fibers over a period of time, according to Dr. Effros. "Mesothelioma causes tumors to grow in the lining outside of the lung. It is quite rare, but it is uniformly fatal when it occurs," he said. "Asbestosis is another serious illness that is represented by a progressive scarring of the lungs, which eventually leads to irreversible restriction of the lungs and eventual death. There are other illnesses such as a thickening of the lining of the lung, which may constrict breathing. The fourth complication seems to be if you smoke, the exposure to asbestos greatly increases the likelihood of getting lung cancer. It is a synergistic effect," he said.

Ironically, despite the serious illnesses caused by asbestos, the material has probably saved many more lives than it has taken, said Dr. Effros. "The actual fact is, as a fire retardant, it has prevented many deaths over the years."

Have Removal Done by Professionals
If you suspect you may have asbestos in your home, it is best to have it examined by a qualified professional. "You cannot tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. A professional should take samples for analysis," Dr. Effros warned.

The best thing is to leave asbestos material that is in good condition alone, Dr. Effros said. Damaged material may release fibers. "I would not advise people to do this kind of cleanup or remodeling by themselves or they risk tearing the fibers and letting them loose. You have to have a certain expertise. Asbestos abatement companies are commonly used because they can take the proper precautions," he explained.

Asbestos removal professionals are trained in handling the material safely. They can conduct home inspections, take samples of suspect material, assess its condition, and advise about what corrections are needed. Each person performing work in your home should provide proof of training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion of EPA-approved training. State and local health departments or EPA regional offices usually have listings of local licensed professionals.

JoAnn Petaschnick
HealthLink Contributing Writer

This article includes information from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

For more information on this topic, see the HealthLink article Asbestos-Related Illness: Still a Problem?.

MCW Health News presents up-to-date information on patient care and medical research by the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin.