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The latest statistics show that between 1980 and 2000, over 8,000 men and over 1,000 women died from Mesothelioma. If someone in your family has been affected by this grave disease, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation to help cover your losses.
Building Materials Containing Asbestos*
Asbestos has been used in the construction industry for decades dating back to the early 20th century. Many schools and commercial buildings across the country have been found to contain asbestos in one form or another. It is estimated that over 30,000 schools and 730,000 public and commercial buildings across the country have contained asbestos and asbestos containing building materials. Numerous building materials have been found to contain asbestos including cement products, plaster, wallboard, textiles and insulation material. Following is a brief description of some major asbestos containing materials:
Surfacing Materials
These materials are sprayed-or troweled-on materials on ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. These materials were manufactured with asbestos between 1935 and 1970. Between these years, surfacing materials were constructed with up to 95% asbestos.
Preformed Thermal Insulating Products
Preformed Thermal Insulating Products consist of products such as batts, blocks, and pipe covering. 85% magnesia insulation consisted of 15% asbestos. These products contained asbestos starting in the 1920s and continued until the early 1970s.
Textiles
Textiles that contained asbestos include a rather susbstantial list of products:
|
Laboratory Aprons |
Gloves |
Cord |
Rope |
|
Fire Blankets |
Felt |
Sheets |
Yarn |
|
Tubing |
Tape / Strip |
Curtains |
These textile products contained anywhere from 50 - 100% asbestos. Most of these products were constructed with asbestos beginning in the early 20th century. Unfortunately, many textile products continued to use asbestos in its manufacturing well after the hazards of asbestos were well known. Only until recently have manufacturers looked to alternative to asbestos for its textile manufacturing.
Concrete-Like Products
Concrete-like products that have been manufactured with asbestos are predominantly found in the three main categories: extrusion panels, clapboard and shingles, and pipe. Extrusion panels that contain asbestos include corrugated, flat, flexible, flexible perforated, laminated, and roof tiles. Concrete-like products began containing asbestos in the early 19th century and have continued to contain asbestos into modern day.
Paper Products
Paper products that consist of asbestos include corrugated, indented, and millboard. These asbestos containing products were also widely used for the most part of the 20th century and have been found in existence in the 21st century as well. Paper products have been found to consist of almost 100% asbestos.
Roofing Felts
Roofing felts containing asbestos include smooth surface, mineral surface, shingles, and pipeline. Besides asbestos containing shingles, other roofing felts were constructed with asbestos for the majority of the 20th century. Shingles contained asbestos for a brief period in the 1970s. Roofing felts consisted of up to 15% asbestos when constructed using the contaminant.
*The information on this page was taken from the Environmental Protection Agency's June 1985 report "Guidance for Controlling Asbestos - Containing Materials in Buildings". The Environmental Protection Agency sourced with modifications from: Lory EE, Coin DC. February 1981. Management Procedure for Assessment of Friable Asbestos Insulating Material. Port Hueneme, CA: Civil Engineering Laboratory Naval Construction Battalion Center.