Naturally found in rocks and soil, asbestos is a mineral fiber known for its heat insulation and fire-resistant properties. For decades, it was used to make building materials and home products. While useful, it took a long time to realize just how dangerous this material was.
When products containing asbestos are damaged, including from natural deterioration, asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers are carcinogenic, posing a severe health risk to anyone who is exposed to them.
Timeline of Asbestos Usage & Regulations
Asbestos Use in the ‘40s & ‘50s
After the war, asbestos use in materials skyrocketed worldwide as countries worked to rebuild cities. This was a time of expansion in the U.S. as well, and with a growing economy came demand for more homes and commercial buildings.Â
Asbestos Use in the ‘60s & ‘70s
Asbestos usage continued throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. At the height of U.S. consumption, 804,000 tons of asbestos were used to make building supplies and products. The turning point came in 1973, when the EPA banned spray-applied surfacing made from asbestos. This was the first of the many partial bans that would soon follow.
Asbestos Use in the ‘80s & ‘90s
Still, asbestos continued to be present in certain materials and products throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. Any homes from the ‘40s to the ‘90s can contain asbestos products, so if you have any suspicions, it’s best to get your home checked.
Asbestos Use in the 2000’sÂ
Up until March 2024, products containing chrysotile asbestos were still circulating in the manufacturing industry. While the usage of chrysotile has been declining for a long time, it was still being imported into the United States until 2022 for use in the chlor-alkali industry.Â
When Did They Stop Using Asbestos in Homes?
As asbestos had a slow phase-out from the market over many decades, it’s difficult to discern by date if a property contains asbestos. Thankfully, homes built today now no longer pose any risk.
- April 2022 – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes Ban on Asbestos Usage
- In April 2022, the EPA proposed banning the ongoing usage of the only form of asbestos still being used in products that were being imported into the U.S., specifically chrysotile asbestos.
- March 2024 – EPA Announces Ban on Ongoing Uses of AsbestosÂ
- On March 18, 2024, the EPA officially announced a ban on chrysotile asbestos. This ban on ongoing uses of asbestos marks the first rule to be finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This ban was passed with near-unanimous support from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
What Year was Asbestos Banned for Construction?
Asbestos use in construction wasn’t completely banned in any single year; rather, regulations were phased in over time. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to take action in the 1970s, but only in 2024 was asbestos finally banned in totality.Â
Where Might Asbestos be Located in Your House?
Unfortunately, there are still some buildings that contain asbestos, which can only be proven through testing. Here are the most common places to find asbestos in older homes:
- Insulation materials around pipes, boilers, and ducts
- Attic and wall insulationÂ
- Roofing shingles and siding
- Floor tiles, particularly vinyl tiles
- Ceiling tiles and textured coatings, e.g. popcorn ceilings
- Patching compounds and textured paints
- Pipe cement and joint compounds
- Heat-resistant fabrics and protective coatings
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gasketsÂ
- Spray-on, fire-retardant coating for steel girders
Health Risks Associated with Asbestos
Asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer. These are the main diseases that have are associated with asbestos:
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Ovarian cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Asbestosis (non-cancer lung disease)
Worldwide, asbestos is linked to over 255,000 deaths per year. The effects of breathing in asbestos can take a long time to develop after exposure. For this reason, patients undergo both physical tests and in-depth questioning to identify if symptoms may be linked to asbestos exposure.
Checking Your Home for Asbestos
Looking to buy an older home that hasn’t been checked for asbestos? It’s always better to be safe and have a complete home inspection done before move-in. This is equally important when renovating or demolishing an older building, as disturbing asbestos materials can release it into the air.Â
At Movoto, we help alleviate all the headaches of home buying – keeping you safe and stress-free with up-to-date information. As you prep to move into your new property, explore our homebuying resources, covering topics from how to get a fixer-upper loan to a complete home inspection checklist.
