Asbestos is the only known catalyst for the lethal cancer mesothelioma.  Asbestos and asbestos products have largely disappeared from the market, but it has not disappeared from millions of American homes.  The EPA treats asbestos products as an ongoing problem because removing many of them can cause exposure to deadly asbestos fibers as older asbestos products break and crumble.

The agency notes that homes built up to 1977 may have asbestos products in them.  Their list of potential sites:

• Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
• Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
• Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
• Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
• Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
• Walls and floors around wood burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
• Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
• Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
• Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.

Ironically, the EPA feels that asbestos removal from the home may be the most dangerous option, simply because disturbing it may cause dust carrying asbestos fibers.  To see the full list of their recommendations on checking and treating your home for asbestos, visit;

http://www.epa.gov/