Hidden Hazards in Older Homes:
Home building materials and techniques change over the years depending on building codes, and material costs and availability. Yesterday’s great new idea or new wonder material can wind up being today’s headache. Lead, asbestos, polybutylene pipe and alumninum wiring are examples of problem materials that may come with that charming older home. As our knowledge of these potential hazards grew, most of these conditions or materials were phased out of use. Also, our knowledge of how to repair or reduce the hazard from the material has also improved.
If you know when a home was built, or when additions or major remodels were completed, then you have a better idea of which hazards might come with that particular older home.
The Asbestos Hazard in pre-1978 Homes:
Homes that were built or extensively remodeled between 1930 and 1978 are highly likely to contain asbestos. Asbestos is the common name for a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can separate into thin but strong and durable fibers. These fibers can cause health problems if they become airborne and are inhaled. Exposure can result in cancer or other asbestos-related illnesses long after the exposure has ended. Asbestos has been used in many household and building products. Because of this indiscriminate dispersal of asbestos in the human environment, it is common to find asbestos fibers in human lungs.
Asbestos was often used on ceilings (popcorn ceilings were very popular) and walls as textured paint, but was banned in 1977. Asbestos was also used throughout homes as an insulating material. Caution must be used when repairs are made to these homes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) states that any asbestos material in good condition should be left alone since disturbing may create a health hazard where none existed before. Vacuuming dust that contains asbestos is very dangerous, because the fiber passes through the vacuum bag and back into the air. Before having any asbestos material inspected, removed, or repaired, you should read the CPSC publication: Asbestos in the Home
The following is a list of areas where asbestos may be found:
- 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 (popcorn ceilings for example) 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 woodburning 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.
The Environmental Asbestos Hazard:
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, and it’s very commonly found in the Sierra foothills, the Klamath Mountains, and the Coast Ranges of California for example. The California Dept of Conservation has published a report which maps those areas where naturally occurring asbestos is more likely to be found. San Diego County is NOT one of those areas.
Since it is so common, and you may visit these areas of California, you may wish to know a little more about this mineral. Asbestos deposits are commonly associated with serpentine rock and it’s parent substance, ultramafic rock, which is often found in great abundance along fault lines. California is rich in serpentine rock, and declared it the state rock in 1965.
Exposure to naturally occurring asbestos can occur in many ways. Soil dust may contain asbestos, so exposure can occur outdoors when children playing in the dirt, or when cars drive along unpaved roads or on driveways covered with crushed serpentine rock. Quarry emissions, grading and construction associated with development of new housing, and gardening can raise dust and cause exposure as well.
References:
Consumer Product Safety Commission Publication: Asbestos in the Home
Mesothelioma: Hope | Support | Help
Asbestos.com Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in CA
California Dept of Conservation Report with Map
California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment: Asbestos Fact Sheet
Environment Protection Agency: Asbestos in Your Home
Environmental Protection Agency: Asbestos Home Page
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