Mesothelioma Watch A Comprehensive Consumer Resource Concerning Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Asbestos was a popular ingredient in hundreds of home construction products through about 1975, when asbestos was identified as the source of mesothelioma and other respiratory afflictions.  The use of asbestos in construction materials has been almost entirely phased out, but millions of homes in this country still contain materials that have asbestos as a component.

Examples include asphalt and vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl flooring , adhesives for securing and masking, acoustic ceiling texture, heat duct insulation, asphalt composition roofing materials, plaster, stucco, drywall and joint compound.  That’s a partial list and there are many brand names and product variations to consider as well.

Many if not most home inspection contracts will exclude the disclosure of asbestos products.  The purpose is simple: these companies do not want their inspectors and the company exposed to liability over asbestos products.  There are so many common building materials that might contain asbestos that an inspector could easily list most and miss a few, leaving the client in the position of buying a contaminated home.

There are certainly many inspectors that will point out the potential of roof tiles or flooring for asbestos content on an informal basis.  It is also important to note that the presence of asbestos per se is not an immediate health threat.

Asbestos products that have been long installed will not give off dust containing the lethal asbestos fibers unless the material is disturbed.  But if you are considering a remodel on your home and it dates back a few decades, check on asbestos content before you begin and hire a licensed asbestos removal firm if you intend to remove anything that might be a problem.