Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers. Because the fibers resist heat, fire and chemical damage, asbestos was used in many building, industrial, military and consumer materials.
Exposure can occur when asbestos-containing material releases fibers into the air. A person may inhale or swallow the fibers without seeing, smelling or feeling them. The greatest risks have generally been associated with occupational exposure, but household and environmental exposures also occur.
Key takeaways
- Asbestos is a known human carcinogen associated with mesothelioma and several other diseases.
- Risk depends on factors including intensity, duration, frequency and type of exposure.
- Disease may not appear until decades after exposure.
- Existing asbestos in older material is most dangerous when damaged, deteriorating or disturbed.
- Do not cut, sand, drill, scrape, sample or remove suspected asbestos yourself; use qualified professionals and follow local requirements.
Occupational exposure
Historically exposed workers have included people in:
- Construction, demolition, renovation and maintenance
- Insulation and boiler work
- Shipbuilding, ship repair and maritime work
- Power plants, refineries, chemical plants and factories
- Railroads and heavy equipment maintenance
- Automotive brake and clutch repair
- Mining and processing of asbestos or contaminated minerals
- Firefighting and disaster response
- Building custodial and facilities work
Job title alone cannot establish exposure. The work performed, materials present, dates, location, ventilation and protective measures all matter.
OSHA maintains asbestos standards for general industry, construction and maritime work. Some state workplace-safety programs may impose different or more stringent requirements.
Military exposure
Asbestos-containing materials were historically present in some ships, shipyards, vehicles, buildings and equipment. Exposure circumstances vary by service branch, era, occupation and duty station. Veterans who believe a current disease relates to military asbestos exposure can review VA eligibility and evidence requirements.
Read the veterans asbestos guide
Household or take-home exposure
Family members may have encountered fibers carried from a workplace on clothing, shoes, hair, tools or vehicles. Modern work practices are intended to limit this route, but historic take-home exposure is relevant when documenting family history.
Asbestos in homes and buildings
Some older insulation, pipe covering, floor and ceiling materials, roofing, cement products, textured coatings and other materials may contain asbestos. Appearance is not enough to determine whether a product contains asbestos.
If material is in good condition and will not be disturbed, management in place may sometimes be safer than removal. Renovation, repair or demolition can change the risk. Contact an appropriately trained and licensed asbestos inspector or abatement professional and follow state and local rules.
Do not collect a sample unless authorized and trained to do so. Improper sampling can release fibers.
Health effects
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural disease. Authorities also associate asbestos with cancers of the larynx and ovary. Symptoms may take many years to appear.
Most people who encounter asbestos will not necessarily develop an asbestos-related disease. A clinician can consider the nature of exposure, symptoms, age, smoking history and other health factors. There is no single test that can predict whether an exposed person will later develop mesothelioma.
What to do after possible exposure
- Move away from an active dust release without disturbing more material.
- Follow workplace emergency and reporting procedures if exposure occurred on the job.
- Do not sweep or use an ordinary vacuum on suspected asbestos dust.
- Contact the appropriate building manager, employer, environmental authority or qualified asbestos professional.
- Write down the date, location, activity, materials, coworkers and protective equipment while memories are fresh.
- Discuss meaningful exposure or persistent symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Building an exposure history
List every job, military assignment and major renovation, including employer, location, dates, tasks, materials, coworkers and protective measures. Include household members whose work may have involved asbestos. Preserve employment and military records, but do not retrieve or handle suspect products.
Download the exposure-history worksheet
Sources
- National Cancer Institute. Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk.
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Health Effects of Asbestos Updated August 12, 2024.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Asbestos and Asbestos Laws and Regulations.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Asbestos Standards.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans Asbestos Exposure.
Reviewed: [Add only after completed medical review] Next scheduled review: Six months and upon material federal guidance changes.