Asbestos Siding Is It Dangerous

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 siding is it dangerous.

Mesothelioma and other cancers as well as asbestosis and other lung diseases are a serious danger after continued long term exposure to fibers from asbestos containing materials acms. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Cement asbestos siding is non organic and so it does not decay and actually holds paint quite well which by the way is not dangerous contrary to what you have been told.

Read more about it in the sections below. It can cause cancer if airborne if the fibers become airborne inhalation of the fibers can cause cancer. Even over periods as long as 15 to 30 years. Even if airborne many studies of asbestos workers indicate that it takes more than a casual exposure to asbestos dust to cause disease.

Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres. As for handling it you do need to take a few precautions. The approach of removing the old shingles and replacing them with new siding is an option that many homeowners have pursued though probably not as safely as they should. Cement asbestos siding is non organic and so it does not decay and actually holds paint quite well which by the way is not dangerous contrary to what you have been told.

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of long thin fibres which can be dangerous if they are inhaled as dust. It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed. As for handling it you do need to take a few precautions. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. In fact both osha and the epa concur that asbestos is not dangerous unless airborne.

It is difficult. The real safety issue with asbestos is when large amounts of it are removed indoors and proper protocol and equipment is not used to capture and collect all asbestos fibers released.