Asbestos is a heat-resistant fiber that was used in hundreds of products up until the 1980s. When the public connected a slew of diseases related to the product, asbestos vanished from the market. Unfortunately, the deadly product remains in many places, and its exposure can still make many people gravely sick.
The illnesses that asbestos can inflict are devastating. Knowing where you can still find this deadly substance can help you avoid contact with something that can drastically change your life.
Products
Asbestos was a material that was nearly everywhere for a long time. Primary uses for the fiber included plastics, textiles, insulation, roofing, HVAC systems, and vinyl. These manufacturers all used asbestos in some degree in their products. If you encounter their products that were made in the ’80s or earlier, consider avoiding them.
Military service
Asbestos was commonly used in many military products, namely vehicles and submarines. Regardless of how long ago it has been since the government abolished the use of asbestos, you can still find a dangerous amount of the substance in older vehicles.
Construction and renovations
Many homes built before the 80s hold asbestos in their walls and ceilings. The fiber can remain inert for decades until a homeowner exposes it to the air during renovations or construction projects.
Occupational exposure
Construction plants, power plants, and chemical plants were all once filled with asbestos. The efforts these plants have made in the past to eradicate the fiber were not all 100% successful. Employees at older plants still have the potential to encounter asbestos and contract deadly diseases.
Consider the chances
It was not until 1989 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned any future use of asbestos. However, any use of the product before that time was able to remain. This oversight means that countless homes, schools, and workplaces can still have the threat of asbestos lurking in their walls, floors, and ceilings.
