Roofing Shingles - Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Asbestos was widely used in home and commercial construction through the mid-'70s. One of the most commonly known uses for asbestos materials was in roofing shingles or tiles. If your home was built or renovated anytime before 1980s, your roofing shingles could be asbestos roofing shingles. Since that time, most manufacturers have sought out alternative materials for roofing, and asbestos roofing shingles are less common in newer buildings.

While roofs made with asbestos or transite roofing shingles were commonly called "asbestos roofs," the truth is that most contain less than 30 percent asbestos fibers. They are classified as "asbestos containing materials," or ACM. Transite, the most common type of asbestos roofing tiles, was made with Portland cement and asbestos fibers, often with other fibers and materials added. The asbestos cement mixture could be molded and cut to shape. It could be drilled with holes, making it easier to align shingles and design roofs. The addition of asbestos to the Portland cement added more than just fire resistance, though that was a big part of the reason. Asbestos is corrosion and rot-resistant, and extremely durable. Roofs covered with transite roofing shingles, if maintained properly, will last up to 100 years.

These days, asbestos is a frightening word. Since the mid-'70s, it's become common knowledge that asbestos is dangerous. When it is "friable" - a word applied to asbestos fibers that can become airborne - it can be inhaled and ingested. The inhaled and/or ingested asbestos fibers are the cause of a rare cancer called mesothelioma. While it's described as "rare," the incidence of mesothelioma is rising and is expected to continue to rise for the next 10 to 20 years as those people who were exposed to asbestos through the 1970s and early 1980s develop the condition. Because of the association of mesothelioma with asbestos, many people panic when they learn that their roofs are made with asbestos shingles.

While friable asbestos presents a very real health hazard to those who are exposed to it, asbestos-containing roof shingles that are in good condition are not dangerous. It is when they become deteriorated or when a building made with asbestos roof shingles is demolished that there is an exposure threat from the breakage of the asbestos shingles.

There is reason for concern though. Roof shingles are seldom the only source of asbestos in a house that is tiled with them. Asbestos was widely used in construction in everything from flooring adhesives to ceiling insulation. If you learn that your home has roofing tiles made of asbestos-containing material, it is likely that there are other sources of asbestos in your home.

In addition, anyone who was employed making asbestos cement or molding asbestos roof shingles was probably exposed to airborne asbestos in the course of their work, and could also have brought the dangerous fibers home with them on their clothing, body and hair. There is a very good chance that those employed in the making of roof shingles were not even aware that they were working with asbestos - it was common practice in asbestos-related industries to hide the fact that their workers were being exposed to a deadly substance that could cause mesothelioma.

If you worked in a plant that made roofing shingles, installed roofing shingles, cut roofing tiles, worked in demolition or roof repair with older homes or were exposed in any other way to asbestos roofing shingles, your risk of developing mesothelioma could be more than five times greater than it is for the general population. You should be aware of the early signs and symptoms of mesothelioma and asbestosis, and you should be certain that your doctor is aware of your work or asbestos exposure history.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may also have legal options. If you would like to learn more, please fill out the form on this page to receive an informative packet in the mail.

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