While asbestos has been used for quite some time, its use really reached a peak during World War II and into the 1970s. Asbestos has a lot of qualities that make it appealing and it is estimated that there are more than 3,000 different asbestos products. This is especially true for items used in the construction industry. Homes built before the mid-1970s probably have at least a few products containing asbestos. As a result, those who perform home and building renovations today should be cautious of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure

As mentioned before, there were more than 3,000 products manufactured with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos occurs when asbestos-containing materials are either damaged or disturbed. During renovations, installers often have to rip out older products before they can put in newer materials. This not only disturbs old dust that may contain asbestos fibers but can create new dust, both of which will become airborne and affect the person(s) working in the area if safety precautions aren't taken.

If someone is installing newer appliances and they find that the older materials they are removing contain asbestos, it is best to notify the home owner about the problem. It may be necessary to hire a professional asbestos inspector to determine if asbestos is actually present. If asbestos-containing materials are in the way of the project, safety precautions must be taken to prevent exposure and all materials should be properly thrown away.

Household Appliance Asbestos Uses

Cement blocks used to construct homes and the mortar used to join them together may have contained asbestos. Asbestos was also wrapped around hot water pipes to help keep the water hot. In addition, floor and ceiling tiles often contained asbestos in order to make them stronger and have a higher heat-resistance.

There are even situations where cabinet facings and countertops were made with asbestos-containing materials. Hot water heaters, stoves and ovens had asbestos used in their manufacture so that the heat wouldn't affect the surfaces around them. Other materials used to construct homes buildings that contained asbestos included roofing products, insulation, drywall, paints and more.

What Household Appliance Installers Should Know

Because asbestos is hazardous and is a material that can become friable, many have been exposed to asbestos without even knowing it. Any amount of damage or disturbance to asbestos-containing materials can cause the microscopic fibers of asbestos to become airborne where they can be inhaled. Once inhaled, the fibers usually become lodged within the lining of the lungs and remain there for several decades because the body has a difficult time expelling them.

Over time, the fibers can cause irritation on the tissues surrounding the lungs which eventually may result in the development of lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a particularly rare, but serious type of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. While the disease can develop in the lining of the heart and abdomen, the most common area for mesothelioma is within the lining of the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma.

Treatment for mesothelioma is often ineffective because most patients are diagnosed when the disease has already reached the advanced stages of development. The average lifespan of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma is about 11 months. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, you may have legal options for compensation. For more information, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a free informational packet.

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