Asbestos is the common term for six naturally occurring fibrous minerals: Chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Of these six categories, chrysotile and amosite are the most commonly used for building materials. 

It’s properties make it the ideal material to use in the building construction setting. Asbestos is fire retardant, high tensile strength, thermal stability, and noise dampening which is while it was heavily utilized prior to the late 1970’s. While the properties of asbestos make it a “superstar” when it comes to building materials, it was discovered that the microscopic fibers are actually very hazardous to the human body. Exposure can cause numerous breathing related issues such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

By the time it was identified to be harmful and even deadly to the human body, millions of products had been produced and placed into buildings all throughout the United States in commercial, industrial, and residential settings. Below is a list of suspect materials which are tested to determine their asbestos content in multi-family buildings.

  • Floor leveling compounds
  • Carpet mastic
  • Mastics associated with floor tiles
  • Vinyl Composite Tile (12” and 9”)
  • Vinyl sheet flooring
  • Linoleum flooring
  • Stair tread adhesive
  • Vinyl Cove Base and associated mastics
  • Joint compound associated with drywall
  • Plaster scratch coat and base coat
  • Wall and ceiling texturing (popcorn, knockdown, swirl, etc.)
  • Window caulk and glazing
  • Sink undercoating (black, white, grey, tan, etc)
  • Vapor barriers between wall cavities
  • Wall paper adhesive
  • Electrical wiring
  • Door caulk
  • Suspended ceiling tiles
  • Glue pods associated with ceiling tiles
  • Pipe insulation (elbows, fittings, straight pipe)
  • Boiler tank insulation
  • Boiler gaskets
  • Attic Insulation (blow-in, vermiculite)
  • Spray-on Fireproofing
  • HVAC connection sealant
  • HVAC vent paper
  • HVAC heat shield
  • Transite panels
  • Roofing tar
  • Roofing materials (shingles, moisture barrier, flat roofing membrane)
  • Asphalt building siding

Having asbestos in your home doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re in trouble. ACM’s aren’t a problem until the materials become damaged or significantly damaged. If you believe that your building may contain asbestos, it is best to contact an asbestos inspector who can thoroughly inspect and sample the materials in your building to determine the level of hazards present. In fact, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration (MiOSHA) Part 602, the Asbestos Standard for Construction, (29 CRF 1926.1101) and Part 305, the MiOSHA Asbestos Standard for General Industry, (29 CRF 1910.1001), requires that all building facilities constructed prior to 1981, where employees may enter, work, or contact building materials must be inspected for asbestos-containing materials. Also, any building with planned renovations or demolitions MUST be inspected prior to any renovation or demolition activities commencing.