Asbestos Sheetrock and Taping Compounds
During the 1900s, a variety of construction materials were manufactured using asbestos. Two common building materials made with asbestos include:
- Sheetrock
- Taping compounds
Although construction materials no longer incorporate asbestos into the products, many offices, schools, older homes and other buildings may still contain asbestos fibers.
Sheetrock
Sheetrock that contains asbestos has been used in the walls and ceilings of a large number of houses, businesses and other buildings constructed before the mid-1980s. While the term Sheetrock is often used interchangeably with drywall, Sheetrock is actually a specific brand of drywall manufactured by the United States Gypsum Company.
Sheetrock is primarily composed of gypsum plaster but was also made with asbestos for decades. Asbestos not only added insulation, fire-resistance and durability to Sheetrock, but it was also very inexpensive.
Taping Compounds
Taping compounds that contain high amounts of chrysotile asbestos have been used frequently in the construction industry since the conclusion of World War II. Taping compounds were often mixed together with water at construction sites, and were used to eliminate gaps or seams between drywall sheets.
Taping compounds pose a risk of dangerous asbestos exposure when the compounds are mixed or disturbed during the process of sanding walls that contain the substance. Sweeping the floors after sanding walls containing taping compounds can also increase the risk of asbestos exposure.
In a study of 69 drywall tapers in New York who were exposed to asbestos-containing taping compounds for 10 years or longer, 37 out of 63 X-ray films taken of the individuals showed abnormalities characteristically caused by asbestos exposure.
Sheetrock, Taping Compounds and Mesothelioma
When Sheetrock or taping compounds are damaged, fibers may become airborne and inadvertently ingested or inhaled by those in the immediate area.
Once asbestos fibers enter the body, they cannot be broken down. Instead, they can become lodged in body tissues, such as those that line the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Over time, the irritation of the fibers may lead to inflammation and, in some cases, the development of a rare cancer known as mesothelioma.
Individuals Affected by Asbestos Sheetrock and Taping Compounds
Some workers may have a higher chance of becoming exposed to asbestos due to their occupation, including handling Sheetrock and taping compounds. The following occupations can be associated with a high risk of asbestos exposure:
- Maintenance workers
- Demolition workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Construction workers
Others who may have been affected by Sheetrock and taping compounds include homeowners, office workers and students.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
