Far from a relic of the past, asbestos still lingers in homes, schools, and workplaces today.

Asbestos, once sought after for its fire resistance and durability, has left a hazardous legacy that continues to have a devastating impact on public health and safety. Despite regulatory efforts to minimize use, this carcinogenic mineral remains embedded in older infrastructure and products, continuing to pose ongoing health risks. While asbestos is generally considered benign when tucked away in walls and beneath floorboards, when older buildings begin to decay, its fibers can easily be released into the air to be breathed in by anyone nearby.

Understanding the continued health risks associated with legacy asbestos is important to safeguarding well-being and reducing its impact on future generations.

Understanding Asbestos & Associated Health Risks

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were widely used in construction and consumer products due to their strength and heat resistance. When asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers into the air, invisible to the naked eye. Inhalation of these fibers can lead to serious health conditions, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and other organs.

The Latency Challenge

A significant concern with asbestos exposure is the long latency period between initial inhalation and disease onset. Health conditions related to asbestos can take decades to manifest, often between 20 to 60 years. This delay complicates diagnosis and treatment.

Many individuals are diagnosed only after their symptoms become severe, such as experiencing chronic cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain for some time without relief. By then, the disease is often in an advanced stage, limiting treatment options and affecting prognosis.

Proving Exposure in an Asbestos Claim

This time lag also makes it difficult to trace the original source of asbestos exposure for many individuals, which can hinder efforts to pursue legal claims. Additionally, people may have experienced multiple sources of low-level exposure over the years, from old homes, schools, workplaces, or even contaminated consumer products, making it nearly impossible to pinpoint a single cause.

Asbestos in Residential & Commercial Buildings

Many structures built before the 1980s contain asbestos integrated into a wide range of construction materials, including insulation, roofing shingles, vinyl flooring, ceiling tiles, adhesives, cement pipes, and textured paints, to name a few. At the time, asbestos was an extremely popular additive due to its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties, and abundance in nature. As a result, countless homes, schools, office buildings, and public facilities still harbor hidden asbestos today, decades after its health risks became widely known.

Improper Renovation or Demolition of Old Homes and Asbestos Exposure

While asbestos left undisturbed generally poses minimal immediate risk, problems arise when structures undergo renovations, are demolished, or damage occurs as a result of natural disasters or general wear and tear. Even everyday construction activities like drilling or sanding can cause microscopic asbestos fibers to become airborne, where they can be easily inhaled.

Once inhaled, these invisible fibers can lodge deep in the lungs, leading to chronic diseases over time. Because of these risks, any work involving older buildings should be approached with caution, ideally involving professional asbestos inspections and abatement where necessary.

Asbestos in Consumer Products

In addition to being embedded into many other structures, asbestos has been found in various consumer goods, including (to name a few):

  • Talc-based cosmetics and powders
  • Automotive parts like brake pads and clutches
  • Appliances and hair dryers
  • Certain children’s toys
  • Kitchenware
  • Arts and craft supplies

These products can release asbestos fibers during use, leading to potential inhalation. Once thought to be exclusively an occupational issue, high rates of domestic asbestos exposure and subsequent illnesses have also been reported over the years due to its abundance in residential homes.

Safeguarding Against Legacy Asbestos Exposure

Reducing the risk of asbestos exposure begins with increasing awareness. In homes or buildings constructed before the 1980s, there is a significant likelihood that asbestos was used in nearly every crevice—the older the home, the more asbestos it is likely to contain. Simply living in such a structure doesn’t necessarily pose a threat. However, the danger increases dramatically when these materials are damaged or disturbed. Homeowners and occupants should familiarize themselves with common locations and products that might contain asbestos and recognize the visual cues (even subtle ones) that may indicate its presence. For example, certain textured ceiling finishes and older floor tiles could be asbestos-based, and while they may look innocent enough, tampering with them through renovation or repairs could release hazardous fibers into the air.

Asbestos Exposure Today

Given the severe health risks associated with even minimal asbestos exposure, any suspected asbestos should never be handled by homeowners without the help of a professional. Instead, property owners are strongly encouraged to consult certified abatement professionals who can conduct proper testing, risk assessments, and removal if necessary. These experts follow strict protocols designed to safely handle and dispose of ACMs without contaminating the surrounding environment.Additionally, staying informed about ever-evolving regulations is key to protecting oneself against the dangers of asbestos. As awareness grows about asbestos in non-building products such as in those that contain talc, vintage items or imported goods, it becomes even more critical to approach both renovations and everyday purchases with informed caution. Understanding these risks and taking proactive measures are important first steps toward safeguarding health and preventing asbestos-related diseases and deaths.