What is the danger that asbestos may be in my home?
Asbestos is so widely used that the entire population has been exposed to some degree. Up until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. The mere presence of asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous. The danger is that asbestos materials may become damaged over time. Damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a health hazard. Damaged Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is more likely to release fibers than non-damaged ACM. In a 1984 survey, EPA found that approximately 66 percent of those buildings that contained asbestos contained damaged ACM. If ACM, when dry, can be crumbled by hand pressure — a condition known as “friable” — it is more likely to release fibers than if it is “non-friable.” Fluffy, spray-applied asbestos fireproofing material is generally considered “friable.” Some materials which are considered “non-friable,” such as vinyl-asbestos floor tile, can also release fibers when sanded, saw
