Asbestos seals, sheets and sponge block are common materials used in roofing. Seals are used to prevent leaking in roofing materials by joining roofing shingles together. Sheets may be made out of asbestos-cement and are used in construction as roofing materials. Sponge block is a type of insulation material used in residential homes and commercial buildings to protect against extreme temperatures.

These roofing materials may contain asbestos if manufactured during the mid-1900s due to the natural heat-resistant qualities found in asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Seals

Seals, or packing, protect the roofs of homes and other structures against high temperatures and caustic substances. Roof seals prevent leaking and weather damage and have been used to protect against the following:

Bleaching
Cracking
UV exposure
Rain damage

Asbestos-containing seals may wear down over time and can flake or peel away.

Worn or old seals that are no longer intact can emit asbestos fibers in the air, which poses a health risk to those in contact with the seal. Seals that remain solid or intact are not considered to pose a health risk.

Asbestos Sheets and Sponge Block

Roof sheets or shingles that have been made from asbestos-cement and sponge block, or foam block, were used as roofing insulation material. Roof sheets and sponge blocks may be applied to the following areas:

Outbuildings
Warehouses
Garages
Ceilings
Walls

Roofing sheets were often reinforced with asbestos fibers due to the material's durability, and sponge block can contain as much as 20 percent asbestos.

Asbestos sheets that are friable, or easily damaged by hand pressure, should be removed, however, sheets that are whole and undamaged may remain in place if deemed non-friable.

Heat, water, weathering and aging may weaken roofing sheets, and sawing, cutting, sanding or drilling sheets may make asbestos fibers airborne. Construction workers may have been exposed to asbestos fibers during the installation, removal, renovation or demolition of homes or buildings.

Asbestos Roofing Materials and Mesothelioma

Damaged seals, sheets or sponge block may create airborne asbestos fibers that can remain in the air for days. Workers, homeowners or employees may breathe in or inhale the fibers, causing damage to the respiratory system.

The fibers can become lodged in the mesothelium, or the thin membrane that surrounds the lungs, abdomen and heart. Asbestos can irritate and inflame the mesothelium, which can lead to lasting health conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

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The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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