Tar paper is a type of roofing paper that is frequently used in construction. The material consists of a heavy-duty paper that has been reinforced with tar to provide waterproofing features. This material is applied to roofs to protect against weathering and to insulate homes. Gold Bond is a line of brand name products that were manufactured by the National Gypsum Company during the early and mid-1900s, and asbestos-containing tar paper was a popular construction product.

Tar paper and Gold Bond tar paper were often embedded with asbestos fibers, as asbestos is known to be sturdy, flexible, durable and resistant to fire and caustic substances.

Uses for Asbestos Tar Paper

Tar paper, also called felt paper, is used to waterproof roofs by preventing moisture from seeping inside the structure. Tar paper may also be used as a backing for the following construction products:

Asphalt
Wood
Shingles
Gravel
Shower stalls
Linoleum or vinyl flooring
Hardwood floors

The paper is usually applied in overlapping layers and is prone to ripping or tearing, which can allow asbestos fibers to become airborne.

People in certain occupations such as roofing professionals, contractors and maintenance workers may have been exposed to asbestos when handling, installing or removing tar paper.

Weather damage and the breakdown of materials over time may cause tar paper to become friable, which refers to the ability of a product to crumble or disintegrate with little effort.

Gold Bond Tar Paper

Gold Bond tar paper has been applied to residential homes and commercial buildings and was also used in numerous schools and factories. This type of roofing material may contain between 10 and 15 percent asbestos.

Tar paper may be installed using roofing nails or may be applied using adhesives. During the process of installing, repairing or removing tar paper, exposure to asbestos fibers may occur.

Certified asbestos abatement professionals should be contacted to remove Gold Bond tar paper. This product should not be removed by those who are untrained in handling hazardous materials.

Tar Paper Dangers

Torn, ripped or damaged tar paper may emit asbestos fibers into the air. Roofing professionals as well as homeowners or those who work in other asbestos-containing buildings may breathe in or swallow the fibers. Once in the body, the fibers may become lodged in the body, where they can contribute to the development of cancer and other asbestos-related diseases many years after exposure.

OSHA Has Issue with Company Doing Asbestos Abatement at Buffalo Housing Project
05/24/2012 - One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
Mesothelioma Patients Hopeful on Anti-Cancer Drugs Entering Clinical Trial Phase
05/23/2012 - A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
Crazy Indian Mascot, Made with Asbestos Tiles, Still Loved at Illinois High School
05/23/2012 - School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..

© 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.