Asbestos…as White As Snow
Anyone who remembers the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” probably recalls the scene in which Dorothy and her companions, having been placed under a sleeping spell by the Wicked Witch of the West, began getting snowed on while lying unconscious in the poppy field. Another film of that era, “Holiday Inn,” showed Bing Crosby with snow falling all around him as he sang the popular Irving Berlin song “White Christmas” in the final scene.
In both cases, the “snow” effects were created by showering the performers with chrysotile asbestos fibers. These fibers resemble snow and often were used in those days, not only on movie sets and in theaters, but also in department store displays and even in private homes. From the mid-1930s through the 1950s, asbestos was seen as a very versatile and harmless substance.
Until the past couple of decades, many roofing and siding products were sold that contained asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that can be hazardous to your health. The reason that it was used is that it is very strong and durable and it is heat- and fire-resistant, thus an almost perfect product for roof construction. Inspectors can be exposed to potentially harmful asbestos fibers when working with asbestos-
containing material (ACM). Most roofing
and siding products today are made without asbestos, but older products that are found on many homes may still contain asbestos.
The following roofing and siding materials have commonly been found in homes:
Roofing Products
- Asphalt roofing felt
- Asphalt roofing shingles
- Cement roofing shingles
- Roof underlayment
- Sealants
- Flashing
Siding Products
- Wood shake vapor barriers
- Cement-asbestos board (Transite) siding
- “Slate” siding
- Mastics
- Adhesives
- Paint
To be sure whether the materials you are handling contain asbestos, you could look for asbestos markings on the roofing or siding material or check the material’s packaging, or you could call the manufacturer. More likely, if you decide not to check
for asbestos, you should presume
that the material contains asbestos
and treat it accordingly.
Remember, just having asbestos siding and roofing on a home does not pose a hazard to your health. ACM in good condition is best left alone. However, damaged roofing and siding should be handled carefully. Sometimes ACM can be covered with newer, non-asbestos-containing materials. H
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