A. Asbestos is a mineral mined from the earth.

A. Asbestos has been widely used because of its heat- and fire-resistant properties, and other unusual characteristics.

A. Asbestos has been shown to be dangerous to human health. The nature of asbestos mineral fibers is that they are very small, long, thin, light, and they easily float and move through the air. Persons who are exposed to asbestos materials and fibers can sustain damage to their lungs and other medical problems from breathing in or absorbing the fibers. Asbestos exposure may take a long time to result in adverse health effects.

A. Asbestos has been used in the United States for a long time. A boom in its use took place in the 20th century. Many public facilities, government buildings, factories, industrial sites and other structures built during that timer period contain asbestos materials. In addition, many products and goods from that time contained asbestos.

A. The inhalation of asbestos fibers has been associated with chronic lung diseases including asbestosis, as well as types of cancer including mesothelioma.

A. Asbestos fibers are small and readily inhaled, and are also tasteless and odorless. In the workplace and in many other environments, individuals may suffer exposure to asbestos. Asbestos can be found in a wide variety of products and locations, including:
Industrial or workplace linings, panels, tiles and heat-resistant materials and paints.

• Sprays, adhesives and cements
• Heat-resistant blankets, oven mittens, textiles, hot pads
• Firefighter clothing
• Certain ropes, tapes, caulks, coatings
• Asphalt and cement products, cement asbestos pipe and board
• Brake linings, pads and shoes, clutch and transmission components, gaskets, shock absorbers, cranes, other friction products
• Fireproofing products and materials
• Materials used to construct or insulate industrial structures exposed to high heat
• Drywall products
• Furnaces, kilns, pipe insulation
• Blocks, cloth and cement in boilers

A. During the 1950s, 60s and early 70s, much pipe insulation contained asbestos. Asbestos pipe insulation was used in many commercial and industrial buildings. This pipe insulation had an appearance that was off-white, chalky, rigid, and dusty. Some of the asbestos pipe insulation a dark gray color.

In the 50s, asbestos pipe insulation was known as “85Mag.” By the 1960s, “85Mag” was replaced by “CalSil,” as well as by “Unibestos” pipe insulation.

A. Asbestos cloth is a fire-proof cloth woven from asbestos fibers. Asbestos cloth bears a surface resemblance to cotton towel material. It was used in refineries, power plants and factories. It was used as well for clothing, mittens, and hot pads. Many welders would use asbestos cloth to assist with their welding activities. Up through the early 1970s, many firefighter suits were made of asbestos cloth.

A. Valve packing is used inside valves to create a seal. Some of this packing may be made of asbestos. Asbestos-containing valve packing and sealant was in the past used in industrial workplaces including refineries and factories. Likewise, asbestos was used in gaskets to help seal joints in pipes. Many commercial and industrial boilers would use asbestos in their lining and covering, and some companies used asbestos blocks, cloth and cement in or around boilers.

A. “Drywall” means interior walls in buildings and structures. “Drywall mud” is a substance used to smooth seams and holes in the drywall, for a smooth surface, and in the past it used to contain asbestos in some cases. Workers using drywall mud and who installed, sanded, cut or replaced drywall may have been exposed to asbestos in the 60s and early 70s. Also, persons involved in tearing-down or demolition of drywall may have been exposed to asbestos dust.