Clay Containing Asbestos Can Pose Health Hazards

The Dangers of Asbestos in Clay

Understanding What Asbestos Is

Asbestos is a hazardous mineral fiber that forms naturally in rock and soil. While it is now heavily regulated in the United States, between 2,500 and 3,000 people a year are still dying from mesothelioma. To this day, the only known cause of the rare cancer is asbestos exposure. So where is that exposure coming from? 

Clay Can Be Contaminated By Asbestos

Clay is a combination of several rocks, minerals, and natural compounds. Clay used for artwork is usually mixed with a mineral called talcum. The issue surrounding talcum, also called talc, is that it is frequently found in close proximity to asbestos. Thus, it is known for being contaminated with nearby asbestos. 

This asbestos contamination has historically made its way into clay, exposing artists who work with it. For this reason, many schools opt for talc-free clay to minimize the chance of exposure to staff and students.

Health Dangers of Asbestos Exposure from Clay

Unfortunately, it isn’t just mesothelioma that asbestos in clay is linked to. The deadly fiber has been associated with ovarian cancer, pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and asbestosis, which is a long-term and severe lung disease. This puts those who work with clay at risk for a multitude of life-threatening chronic conditions. 

Regions That Still Use Asbestos Today

While the popular belief is that asbestos is banned in the United States today, the truth is that it is still legal, but heavily regulated. The mineral can also still be found in products in Russia and in parts of Asia. Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Syria, and Zimbabwe all declined proposed country-wide bans on asbestos. For artists looking for sources of clay, it is best to avoid purchasing from these regions due to possible contamination. 

Asbestos can be difficult to detect in clay and other materials.

Viewing asbestos often requires the use of a microscope, but there are a few distinguishable visual properties of clay contaminated with asbestos. The fiber can appear white and fuzzy and resembles fabric fiber. 

Friable vs Non-Friable Asbestos

Friable asbestos refers to a form of asbestos that can be reduced to powder under simple pressure, while a fiber that cannot be reduced in this way is considered a non-friable asbestos. 

Examples of friable asbestos include popcorn ceilings, asbestos used in insulation, heat-resistant fabrics, and damaged asbestos cement products. This is the more hazardous type of asbestos, as it can be more easily released into the air and inhaled or swallowed. 

Non-friable asbestos (like intact vinyl sheet flooring) is not considered as threatening to human health. However, under enough pressure, a non-friable asbestos can also become one that is friable. Sanding or crushing can oftentimes produce this change.

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information helps you.

If you believe that your home was contaminated with asbestos, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

In addition to legal claims, veterans disability, social security and employment protection like workers compensation, FELA and The Jones Act for maritime workers, there are asbestos trusts that have been set up to compensate those harmed by asbestos without having to file a lawsuit.
If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, including testing for exposure or how to file a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190.