Asbestos products were used in many construction products long before the health hazards were known. It was used in materials that required strength and heat resistance such as roofing shingles, insulation, ceilings, wall boards, floor tiles, paper products, plaster and cement products. It could also be found in fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings. Asbestos containing materials could be found in all types of commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Buildings constructed in or around Charlotte can be old enough to have these materials in them, predating the EPA bans on asbestos.
Where can asbestos be found:
- Attics, wall board, plasters and wall insulation
- Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives
- Roofing and siding shingles
- Textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings
- Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets
- Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation
- Heat-resistant fabrics