Asbestos
If you have additional questions about asbestos, please contact Mark Jones.
Email: markejones@utah.gov
Phone: (801) 538-6191
Email: markejones@utah.gov
Phone: (801) 538-6191
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs naturally in soil and rock.
Asbestos was mined and used in a variety of ways because of its useful properties including thermal insulation, chemical stability, and resistance to breaking under tension. Because of these attributes, asbestos has been widely used in construction and industrial products, including insulation, fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, textile products, cement, and wallboard materials.
Asbestos is no longer mined or used as widely in new products, but may still pose a health risk in older products.
Asbestos was mined and used in a variety of ways because of its useful properties including thermal insulation, chemical stability, and resistance to breaking under tension. Because of these attributes, asbestos has been widely used in construction and industrial products, including insulation, fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, textile products, cement, and wallboard materials.
Asbestos is no longer mined or used as widely in new products, but may still pose a health risk in older products.
Asbestos can cause significant health problems when inhaled into the lungs.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers that may become airborne when disturbed. Some of the health problems asbestos may cause include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibers that may become airborne when disturbed. Some of the health problems asbestos may cause include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
Asbestos becomes a hazard when damaged or disturbed asbestos fibers are released into the air.
Because asbestos fibers are small and lightweight, they can be suspended in the air for long periods of time and inhaled unknowingly. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. Asbestos can be found in building materials such as: drywall systems, insulation, roofing, pipes, siding, and floor tiles.
Because asbestos fibers are small and lightweight, they can be suspended in the air for long periods of time and inhaled unknowingly. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. Asbestos can be found in building materials such as: drywall systems, insulation, roofing, pipes, siding, and floor tiles.
Exposure to asbestos does not always mean you will develop health problems.
Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. People who become ill from asbestos are typically exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with it, or through substantial environmental contact.
Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. People who become ill from asbestos are typically exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with it, or through substantial environmental contact.
Asbestos professionals are trained to handle asbestos exposure.
Professionals conduct home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess its condition, and recommend corrections by qualified personnel.
If you think you may have asbestos in your home, leave the suspected material alone. Unless the material is labeled, you cannot tell if a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. The material or area in question must be sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional in order to determine whether it contains asbestos. It is not a good idea to take samples for analysis yourself. If done incorrectly, asbestos sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Before remodeling your house, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
Professionals conduct home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess its condition, and recommend corrections by qualified personnel.
If you think you may have asbestos in your home, leave the suspected material alone. Unless the material is labeled, you cannot tell if a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. The material or area in question must be sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional in order to determine whether it contains asbestos. It is not a good idea to take samples for analysis yourself. If done incorrectly, asbestos sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Before remodeling your house, find out whether asbestos materials are present.
Resources
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ)- Asbestos Program
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Workplace Safety and Health: Asbestos
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- Topics about Asbestos
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- Occupational Exposure to Asbestos
No data available for asbestos.
The links listed below redirect you to health assessments that have been conducted in Utah related to asbestos. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services APPLETREE program evaluates and responds to environmental public health issues in Utah. For more information, please visit the Utah APPLETREE website.
