Asbestos paper backing is among the thousands of building products that provide a high level of asbestos to our environment — in our homes, schools, workplaces, and more. Asbestos paper backing manufactured before the 1980s had a toxic level of asbestos in it, and now that the millions of installations using asbestos paper backing are at least 30 years old, they may be in a dangerously poor condition.
Many Applications
Asbestos paper backing was widely used throughout the years from the 1940s to the 1970s, in applications such as:
In Millions of Buildings
The number of buildings in the U.S. with asbestos paper backing products in place is in the millions. The renovation of older buildings is an opportunity to remove these products, but when asbestos paper backing is manipulated (e.g., pulled, folded, or cracked) or when it is crumbling by itself ("friable"), it is likely to release asbestos fibers into the air, where they may be inhaled and cause diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
A 1980 Ban
The federal agency known as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) asked manufacturers of asbestos paper to stop selling it in the U.S. in 1980. The following products and companies were part of the request:
If you find these products in a residence or other building you're renovating, it's best to consult a certified asbestos abatement contractor.
Manufacturing Asbestos Paper Backing
The workers who spent months or years making asbestos paper backing are at the highest risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The production of asbestos products was very high throughout the 1940s through 1970s, and since the latency for asbestos diseases can be decades, many people who worked with asbestos years ago have only recently begun experiencing the symptoms.
Learn More about Asbestos Paper Backing
Discuss your exposure to asbestos paper backing with us today. We're happy to provide you with information regarding the resources available to you.