What Is Asbestos?
Where is Asbestos Found?
Health Effects
Rules and Regulations
Asbestos Consultants and Laboratories
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WHERE IS ASBESTOS FOUND?

Asbestos has been added to such diverse materials as asphalt, vinyl, cement, plaster, and numerous other fibrous and non-fibrous materials. The heat and corrosion resistance of asbestos were so beneficial and desirable that from 1900-1980 more than 36 million metric tons were used worldwide in over 3000 products. Among building materials, flooring, walls, roofing, insulation, and sound proofing were a few of its uses. Asbestos products have been used since ancient times among the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Celts as well as many other civilizations some even more ancient.

Some Locations where asbestos is found:

1. Asbestos Paper Products: Acoustic ceiling tile; Pipe and boiler covering; millboard on appliances; toaster heating shield; vinyl sheet flooring backing
2. Cloth and woven products: Appliance wiring: electrical blankets, hair dryers, irons; awnings; curtains; flame-resistance gloves, hats, aprons, blankets; motion picture screens
3. Asbestos-cement products: Water and sewer pipe; air duct pipe; roofing clapboard; roofing shingles; laboratory table tops
4. Viscous matrix products: Adhesives-glues and epoxies; caulks and putties; furnace cement; roof and driveway coatings; automotive undercoating
5. Miscellaneous products: Ammunition shell wadding; flowerpots; clutch and brake linings; paint; vinyl asbestos floor tile

In focusing on the assessment of the potential release of asbestos fibers from specific products based on their use, CPSC listed ten categories representing 96 consumer products. The categories with representative examples are as follows:

1. Automotive repair: Mufflers; brake and clutch linings; auto body filler
2. Household materials: Electrical cord; floor tile; ironing board pads and cover
3. Safety equipment: Aprons; blankets; hoods
4. Recreational activity: Aerial distress flares; tent grommets; TV sets and projectors
5. Home building repairs: Latex paints; texture paints
6. Commercial applications: Aluminized cloth; cord; fabrics; felt; filtering materials; millboard; pottery clay; tape; welding electrodes
7. Asbestos-cement products: AC air dust pipe and sheet; braking sheets; roofing shingles and siding; tile
8. Molded products : Pond liners; phenolic laminates in cars; rheostat backing
9. Roofing materials: Roof patch; felts; preservatives
10. Sealants and mastics: AC pipe sealant; caulking compounds and putty; radiator sealant