There are over 3,000 building products and other items that contain asbestos. The only way to determine if a material is asbestos-containing is to have that material sampled by a certified asbestos testing agency like Fast Response Environmental and analyzed by an accredited asbestos laboratory.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is dangerous because it has the ability to break down into microscopically thin fibers. These fibers are so small they can remain airborne for days after they were initially disturbed. While airborne, individuals can breathe these fibers in. Since the fibers are so small, they can travel deep into a person’s lungs, where they may eventually lodge in the lung tissue. Once lodged in the lung tissue, these fibers can cause several serious diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue) and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung cavity).
Where can you find Asbestos?
A small list of places you may find it but are not limited to finding Asbestos.
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Mechanical Systems and Equipment
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|---|---|---|
| Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.) |
Tar Paper Wrap on pipe insulation | Pipe Fitting Insulation (“Mud”) |
| Breaching Insulation | Boiler Insulation | Mud packing between boiler plates |
| Refractory materials (boiler liner brick & mortar) |
Air Handler Insulation (“Mud”) | HVAC Duct Insulation and Seam Sealants |
| Mastics/coatings on Pipes and Ducts | Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections | Taping Compounds (thermal) |
| Thermal Paper Products | Rope Gaskets | Flat Gaskets, especially high temperature applications |
| Heat shields | Cooling Towers (transite siding and louvers) |
Cement Pipes, Transite Pipes |
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Electrical Systems and Equipment
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| Electric Wiring & Cable Insulation | Heat shields in lighting fixtures | Electrical Cloth |
| Electrical Panel Partitions | ||
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Elevators
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| Elevator Brake Shoes | Elevator Equipment Panels | Transite Plates between Arc Pads |
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Flooring
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| Asphalt Floor Tile | Vinyl Floor Tile | Floor Mastic |
| Linoleum/ Backing | Vinyl Sheet Flooring/Backing | Other floor backing |
| Tar paper used as underlayment | Grout | |
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Wall and Ceiling Materials
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| Spray-Applied Insulation | Blown-in Insulation | Acoustical Plaster |
| Decorative Plaster | Wallboard & Ceiling Board | Joint Compounds Spackling Compounds |
| Textured Paints/Coatings | Fire Doors (internal insulation) | Packing Materials “Fire Stop” (for wall/floor penetrations) |
| Transite panels – walls, ceilings, roofs, siding, pegboard | Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels | Mastics, Glues, Adhesives |
| Caulking/Putties | Slate Chalkboards | Cement Wallboard |
| Cement Siding | Grout | |
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Laboratory Casework & Equipment
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| Transite interiors in chemical hoods | Transite table and counter tops | Glues and sealants on casework |
| Transite sinks | Sink undercoatings | Transite Drying Racks |
| Gaskets and Insulation on Ovens | Laboratory Oven Mitts | |
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Roofing Materials
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| Roofing Shingles | Roofing Felt | Rolled Roofing |
| Roof Cement and Flashing | Built-up roofing (tar) | Base Flashing |
| Tars, Sealants, Coatings | ||
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Fireproofing | Fire Blankets | Fire Curtains |
