Are Pipe Enclosures Potential Asbestos Sources?

The presence of asbestos products in older homes became an everyday health risk when asbestos exposure was linked to severe health issues in the mid-1970s. Although the EPA began to restrict the manufacture of various asbestos-containing products, manufacturers were allowed to use their stocks. This led to homes built before the 1980s still containing asbestos, and according to the U.S. Census's 2019 American Community Survey, nearly 50 percent of residential constructions in the U.S. were built before 1980.

One of the places you might find asbestos in an older home is the duct system. Pipe insulation is well-known for containing asbestos or being entirely of asbestos. However, pipes running in visible places in various parts of the house were sometimes concealed with enclosures or boxes to give the interior a professional, clean look. Enclosures not only concealed pipes but protected them from damage and potential contact with people. In some homes, these covers may still be found in:

• bathroom
• laundry room
• living room

Pipe cover boxes were usually built around all the lines of the houses:

• horizontal pipes
• vertical pipes

Construction of those times generally used asbestos boards to cover up pipes, specifically asbestos insulating boards, to be on the safer side. These boards were mostly asbestos fibers mixed with calcium silicate and could contain up to 40% asbestos. All types of asbestos were used in their manufacturing:

• amosite or brown asbestos, frequently used in cement sheets
• chrysotile or white asbestos used for roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors
• tremolite, which often contaminates vermiculite used in insulation
• crocidolite, the main component in early boards

As the health risks of asbestos became increasingly known, asbestos use gradually declined in one industry after the next, and with asbestos no longer an option by law, companies had to find alternatives with similar performance without the health dangers. The solutions found to replace asbestos varied depending on the application and where the new product was needed:

• silicate minerals
• cellulose fibers
• glass wool and mineral wool
• fiberglass
• polyurethane foam
• PVC and vinyl
• natural fiber composites

Synthetic fibers have also been frequently used to fill the role that asbestos used to play. These manmade fibers didn't exist decades ago, but they have been developed and applied in places where asbestos is no longer an option. Given the serious health consequences caused by extended asbestos exposure, finding alternatives was a critical development. Modern fibrous materials eliminate the health risks that asbestos-containing products represent even today.

When Dealing With Asbestos, Taking Proper Safety Measures Is Essential

Handling potential asbestos-containing items during home remodelings or renovations is best left to professionals. Since no amount of asbestos exposure is safe, calling experienced and certified experts is advisable when asbestos removal, abatement, or testing is needed. They know how to dispose of asbestos properly and will take the burden of managing asbestos for you by:

• Ensuring proper containment by following appropriate containment measures to prevent the dispersal of asbestos fibers in your home.
• Following legal guidelines and adhering to local and national asbestos removal and disposal regulations to prevent environmental contamination.
• Using proper equipment, such as personal protective equipment, to minimize risks while handling asbestos materials.