Asbestos Shingle Siding Dangerous

And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous.

Asbestos shingle siding dangerous.

Since 1989 the epa environmental protection agency has prohibited the use of asbestos in the united states. Before that asbestos products were used in the construction of homes in many ways including in shingles siding insulation floor tiles and cement. It s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if. Asbestos siding is far less dangerous due to the fact that it installed outside and very few fibers are released even when siding shingles crack and break.

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. Asbestos cement roofing shingles and siding products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed dilled or cut. Care and proper procedures should always be taken during removal and disposal but in general asbestos siding ranks very low on the list of materials that contain asbestos as far as danger.

Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled. Shingle siding is only dangerous when broken up and the fibers are disturbed and sent into the air and inhaled. If the asbestos material is in good shape and will not be disturbed do nothing. Identifying siding shingles with asbestos.

Past usage of asbestos. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. Intact siding that is still in place poses no health risk as mesothelioma and other lung diseases only occur when a large amount of fibers are inhaled.