Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide

How Is Asbestos a Risk During a Natural Disaster?

A large number of homes and commercial buildings constructed prior to the 1980s were built with asbestos materials. Those products are considered safe as long as they are in good condition. But once ripped, broken, burned, blown or washed away, the products release toxic asbestos fibers into the air.

Breathing in these fibers in the aftermath of a natural disaster can lead to serious health conditions years later. The more someone is exposed to asbestos, the higher their risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.

Natural disasters pose dangers from the moment they occur. People don’t often consider health risks after a tornado rips through their neighborhood or a flash flood destroys their personal possessions.

Of 721 Americans surveyed, 71% did not know natural disasters increased their risk of cancer.

Source: The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com, 2019

Asbestos exposure isn’t an immediate danger such as live electrical wires, gas leaks or unstable infrastructure. It also isn’t as apparent as more obvious health risks such as black mold. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and travel by air or in clouds of dust, so you can be exposed and not even know it.

It is essential to consider and properly prepare for asbestos exposure prevention when planning for natural disasters and severe weather. Knowing how to keep safe from asbestos after a disaster can help prevent health conditions later in life.

Who Is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure During a Disaster?

As the first people on the scene, emergency response crews and early response volunteers face an increased risk for asbestos exposure in the wake of a natural disaster because of all the debris. The risk of health effects increases over time and depends upon frequency and amount of exposure to asbestos to these workers.

Top First Responder Occupations at Risk

• 
  Firefighters
• 
  Law enforcement officials
• 
  Emergency response workers (FEMA, American Red Cross, etc.)
• 
  Enlisted military (Coast Guard, Navy, Army, etc.)
• 
  Cleanup crew members (private contractors, state and local agencies, volunteers)

Homeowners of damaged properties also face these risks and should always use caution when cleaning or searching through debris.

Products Containing Asbestos

There are dozens of asbestos-containing products in older construction such as single-family homes, apartment complexes, office buildings, churches and schools. These products are considered safe if they are in good condition and left undisturbed in walls, floors and the ceilings and roofs of structures.

But natural disasters pose a threat to these products which can be damaged by winds, fires, floods and earthquakes.

If asbestos-containing materials are suspected during cleanup efforts, experts recommend you leave them alone. Stirring up asbestos-containing debris can result in airborne asbestos fibers, and exposure is highly likely at that point.

Common Household Materials Containing Asbestos

• Roofing felt
• Pipe lagging
• Block insulation
• Adhesives
• Appliance components
• Ceiling products
• Cement board
• Gardening products
• Flooring
• Paints
• Roofing
• Table pads
• Wallboard
• Insulation
• Fireplace decorations
• Taping compounds and plasters
• Electrical insulation and panels
• Heating and cooling systems

Asbestos Exposure Prevention After a Disaster

Different types of natural disasters present a variety of asbestos exposure risks. For example, tornados may carry asbestos debris from one location to another, while floods may contaminate local waterways and neighborhoods with asbestos materials.

Fires present a greater risk to firefighters than other emergency responders. Hurricanes pose a variety of exposure threats from related tornados and flooding.

What to Look for on a NIOSH-Approved Facepiece Respirator

Only a filter rating designation of 100 will protect you against microscopic asbestos fibers in the air. N-100 and P-100 respirators filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Filters with the “P” designation are also strongly resistant to oily particles.

These masks will also protect you from other hazards such as mold damage. They can be purchased online or at your local home improvement store. Disposable masks generally cost around $10 each, while half-mask or full-face respirators can be $50 or more.

Respirators Must Contain

• Manufacturer’s name
• Model number or part number
• TC-Approval Number: Required for products manufactured after September 2008
• Filter Designation: Must be N-100 or P-100
• NIOSH name or logo

Other Protective Equipment You Should Wear During Asbestos Cleanup

• Protective clothing, preferably disposable
• Helmet to prevent fibers from attaching to hair
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Safety gloves
• Protective boots

How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure from Other Disasters

While wildfires and hurricanes pose high risks for asbestos exposure, so do other natural disasters such as floods, tornados and earthquakes.

The key concern is the damage these disasters can cause to older homes, buildings and other structures containing asbestos materials such as drywall, insulation, floor tile and sheet roofing.

Knowing how to protect yourself and your family from asbestos during and after these natural disasters is essential to your long-term health.

Floods

Asbestos was used in more than 3,000 construction materials and manufactured products and was used as a part of new home construction or remodeling until 1980.

A home affected by flood waters becomes a source of asbestos exposure because damaged flooring, drywall and ceilings may contain asbestos. Water can damage even the strongest structures and disturb asbestos products in ways that release fibers when the material dries.

Naturally Occurring Asbestos and Flooding

Floods can also disturb naturally occurring asbestos deposits. Asbestos fibers from natural deposits are easily carried by flood waters into communities and local water sources.

For example, in parts of the North Cascades in Washington, the toxic mineral was released by a slow-moving landslide and then was carried into the Swift River. When the river flooded, asbestos fibers were deposited into residents’ yards and homes.

Demolition and Cleanup After Floods

For severely damaged structures built before 1980, demolition should only be performed by individuals who are trained in the asbestos NESHAP regulations. A MDEQ-certified asbestos abatement supervisor should be on-site or available by phone to provide guidance and assistance.

All demolition workers should use equipment specifically designed to protect them from asbestos exposure during demolition and handling of debris, especially respirators that are required by OSHA regulations. It is recommended to wet the structure, and, if the walls are still standing, they should be wrapped to confine the asbestos particles.

Tornados

Tornadoes can destroy property and potentially cause exposure to asbestos among people who clean up the debris. The EPA and several state-affiliated departments of health and natural resources have issued guidelines for effective management of asbestos building debris to minimize exposure.

Cleaning After a Tornado

• Soak all suspected asbestos-containing materials in water mixed with surfactant chemicals (amended water). This will help reduce the amount of airborne fibers.
• Wear a NIOSH-approved N-100 or P-100 respirator mask at the disaster site.
• Find the local EPA in your state and let them know if you believe the tornado has led to widespread asbestos contamination.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are the vibrations caused by blocks of earth breaking and moving under stress. They strike suddenly, and often create significant damage to buildings and can also trigger tsunami waves that damage coastal communities.

In the U.S., earthquakes can strike any location at any time. However, most occur along the West Coast, primarily in California, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Asbestos Risks During Earthquake Cleanup

During cleanup of damaged and destroyed buildings after an earthquake, it is likely that there will be a need to handle, break up and dispose of asbestos-containing materials.

Much of this work may be undertaken by temporary laborers, volunteers and local residents who are unaware of the hazards of asbestos and who may be unable to identify asbestos products.

It is unlikely that the workers will initially be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment. Many people will also be unaware of abatement methods for the proper cleanup and removal of asbestos materials.

As a result of the cleanup operations, there may be an accumulation of asbestos-containing waste that will present a hazard to people in the local environment and those living in close proximity to the site of final disposal.

Key Takeaways and Resources

It is important to be prepared and have a safety plan in place in the event natural disasters strike. But the after effects of these disasters are also a cause for concern.

The most important thing you can do to prevent asbestos exposure following a natural disaster is to have protective equipment on hand in an emergency response kit. This includes a NIOSH-approved N-100 or P-100 respirator for everyone in your household.

Secondly, remember this rule: If you’re not sure, don’t mess with it. When cleaning up after a wildfire or storm, always use caution.

Even with a protective mask, asbestos exposure can occur from fibers sticking to your clothes and exposing yourself or your family after cleanup efforts. Fibers could potentially be inhaled or ingested if your mask isn’t fitted properly.

If you know the cleanup site has damaged asbestos products, it is recommended to get the help of asbestos abatement professionals to remove and dispose of the materials safely and under EPA regulations.