Household Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that develops naturally in soil and rock. Its heat resistance made it useful as a material for building materials and manufactured goods. For decades, asbestos was a key component of:

• Clutches and brakes
• Heat-resistant fabrics
• Insulation that contains vermiculite
• Paint
• Pipe insulation
• Shingles
• Vinyl flooring

This is only a partial list. Asbestos may appear in many other materials and products.

Learn more about asbestos.

Types of asbestos

Several types of asbestos vary in how they were used and the degree of related negative health effects they may cause. Types include:

• Actinolyte asbestos: Building materials containing this type of asbestos are more dangerous when the materials containing the fiber are broken
• Anthophyllite asbestos: A “relatively rare” type of asbestos with short, brittle fibers
• Blue asbestos (crocidolite asbestos): Short, straight asbestos fibers that are easy to inhale
• Brown asbestos (amosite asbestos): Contains fine fibers that make it especially easy for people to inhale
• Chrysotile (white asbestos): The most common form of asbestos and the primary form used commercially
• Tremolite asbestos: This type was often used in fabrics, but is no longer mined

Asbestos exposure is linked to several diseases that are fatal. Family members can also develop these diseases through secondary exposure to asbestos unknowingly carried home on family members’ clothes. Learn about these asbestos-related diseases below.

• Asbestosis: A lung disease caused by breathing asbestos fibers, which can cause scar tissue to form and prevent normal lung expansion and contraction
• Lung cancer: A lung disease that may require treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
• Mesothelioma: A type of cancer that occurs in the abdomen, lungs or heart
• Other cancers linked to asbestos: Cancer of the colorectum, larynx, ovaries, pharynx and stomach
• Pleural diseases: Conditions linked to the fluid-filled cavity around the lungs or the thin tissue lining the chest cavity and covering the lungs

Common symptoms related to asbestos disease

Several symptoms may indicate that someone has asbestos disease. The symptoms will not appear for years or decades after the exposure.

Below are symptoms that may indicate previous exposure to asbestos.

• Blood in fluid coughed up from the lungs
• Chest pain or tightness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the neck or face
• Weight loss

If you have these symptoms, consider contacting your healthcare provider for an examination.

Even though it has largely been phased out from construction, you may still find asbestos in your home. The products below are often associated with asbestos-containing materials:

• Appliances
• Children’s toys
• Construction materials (roofing products, insulated pipes, floor tiles, shingles, asbestos cement, drywall and asbestos insulation)
• Heatproof or fireproof items (fire blankets, fire curtains, sprayable fireproofing)
• Personal care items (talcum powder, feminine products, makeup)
• Popcorn ceilings
• Vintage/antique items

More than 3,000 products are known to contain asbestos.

What companies made household items with asbestos?

More than 100 businesses have filed for bankruptcy at least partially because they faced asbestos lawsuits. Hundreds of other companies that sold asbestos products are still in business. Many now offer products that don’t contain asbestos.

Motley Rice attorneys represented asbestos victims in lawsuits against Johns-Manville and its insurer, Travelers Insurance.

Secondhand asbestos exposure

A person can be exposed to asbestos without directly encountering it. This is often called secondary exposure, and it’s often a risk for family members of people who worked with asbestos-containing products.

Leonard Cox was a victim of secondhand exposure. Though he never worked with asbestos, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma when he was 52 years old. His condition was the result of asbestos dust in the work clothes his father wore while employed by DuPont as an asbestos insulation installer.

Motley Rice represented the Cox family in a lawsuit against DuPont.

If you suspect asbestos-contaminated materials are in your home, getting an expert analysis could be a good first step.

It may also be wise to avoid taking any action on your own, especially with construction materials. Professionals may be able to remove the asbestos-contaminated material without risking exposure to you and your family.

How to dispose of household items containing asbestos

It’s difficult to tell whether a household product contains asbestos. If you have items that have been known to contain asbestos – talcum powder, for example – you might minimize any health risks by disposing of them.

Experts recommend these tips when preparing asbestos-containing household items for disposal:

• Wear a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator, if possible
• Wear clothes you can throw away
• Place the items in a sealed container like a zip-top plastic bag
• Mark the bags with a warning like “Asbestos – Do Not Open”
• Use a wet mop to remove any dust remaining from the items
• Dispose of the items at a permitted facility equipped to handle asbestos

How to handle construction materials containing asbestos

If you believe your home has construction materials that contain asbestos, first determine whether they are in good condition. Often, it’s best to leave them alone, even if they are intact. If the materials show signs of damage or wear, consider consulting a professional.

If you’re considering remodeling your home, try to determine whether you might encounter asbestos during the remodel.

A professional asbestos abatement may be the best way to avoid high-risk exposure. If you plan to dispose of asbestos yourself, be sure to dispose of it in a landfill that is qualified to receive asbestos waste. Local regulations may vary, so check with government agencies in your area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also maintains a national list of landfills that can accept asbestos-containing products.

Do homes still use asbestos?

Though the U.S. implemented a partial ban in 1989, companies continued importing chrysotile asbestos until 2024. However, some industries were given 12 years to phase out their use of chrysotile asbestos, so there’s still a risk of asbestos exposure. Older homes may have building materials that contain asbestos, and some appliances, flooring and household items may also contain asbestos. Consult a professional if you suspect there’s asbestos-containing material in your home that presents a risk.

Is asbestos in my home dangerous?

Intact materials may contain the dangerous fibers. If you notice signs of damage or wear, consider calling an asbestos abatement professional for an evaluation.

Can I sue for household asbestos exposure?

Yes, people are filing lawsuits because they developed serious illnesses linked to asbestos exposure. Some lawsuits involve plaintiffs suing for being exposed as asbestos workers, while others are suing for household or secondhand exposure.

Motley Rice attorneys have successfully litigated on behalf of people diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses and their surviving loved ones. Our attorneys were instrumental in the fight against Johns-Manville, formerly one of the world’s largest asbestos mining companies.

If you have a chronic or life-threatening illness that you believe is related to asbestos exposure, contact Motley Rice for a case evaluation.

Read more about our experience with asbestos lawsuits.