Due to the widespread application of asbestos in construction and industrial uses throughout New Orleans, human exposure to the caustic substance became a prominent issue in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Completely destroyed from one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, New Orleans found itself in a state of emergency, chaos, and disrepair once the storm passed. Apart from all the devastation, looting and criminal acts, toxic exposure to contaminants such as asbestos, lead, and arsenic quickly became a serious problem in New Orleans.

Officials immediately warned of life-threatening hazards caused by leaks in industrial plants and natural gas lines, dust from building demolition, debris transport, and contaminated sediment, as well as smoke from the open burning of debris. Because of its past dominance in thousands of construction products, asbestos became a major contaminant of concern after Hurricane Katrina. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed the pubic that all structures built before 1975 most likely contain considerable amounts of asbestos, and even those built after 1975 may contain asbestos. Thus, the threat of asbestos exposure was rampant.

Hurricane Katrina ripped buildings into pieces, exposing a myriad of asbestos-containing products to air and water. Considering 80 percent of New Orleans flooded when the federal flood protection system failed, any structures left standing was most likely destroyed from the flood waters that remained for weeks. The contaminated structures had to be demolished in cleanup efforts (many of which have yet to undergo demolition), which greatly increases the risk of asbestos contamination in air, soil, and water.

Building demolition and the loading and transfer of debris that took place in Katrina's wake came with great threat of releaseing asbestos fibers from building materials. The following materials provide an example of products that potentially release asbestos when broken or agitated:

Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet
Asbestos-cement flat sheet
Asbestos pipeline wrap
Roofing felt
Vinyl-asbestos floor tile
Asbestos-cement shingle
Millboard
Asbestos-cement pipe
Vermiculite-attic insulation

Also, the potential presence of metals and asbestos in building debris could release toxins into the air via open burning of the debris, which rapidly became a common practice to save time and money. Since federal asbestos regulations do not apply to the average homeowner, no agency is responsible for ensuring asbestos abatement is performed properly and safely in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Although years have passed since New Orleans was ravaged by the storm, many structures containing asbestos lay waiting for demolition. Considering the lack of regulation for asbestos removal (coupled with the risky methods of demolition), worries of asbestos exposure in New Orleans has yet to subside.

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