Asbestos Products

In the late 19th century, the use of asbestos became popular in the construction and manufacturing industries due to the mineral's highly versatile, durable, flexible and relatively inexpensive nature. The superior insulating properties of asbestos fibers offered manufacturers a way to strengthen buildings and products and protect them from fire and heat, without adding much weight or cost.

Until the late 1970s, asbestos was used in thousands of products, including household items, construction materials, paper goods, protective clothing, engines, automobiles and heating and cooling systems. Millions of homes, office buildings, military vessels and factories contained asbestos-laden products for many years, before the risks associated with asbestos fibers were made known.

Health and safety regulations concerning the use of asbestos in products began to be surface in the 1970s and 80s. In December 1977, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of asbestos-containing patching compounds and artificial fireplace ash products. More than a decade later, on July 12, 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ban of most asbestos-containing products, but this ruling was overturned just two years later by a New Orleans court. Currently, the 1989 EPA ban affects only flooring felt, rollboard and certain types of papers that contain asbestos.

There are currently hundreds, if not thousands, of products and construction materials in use today that may contain asbestos. It is important to be aware of the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and other life threatening conditions associated with the inhalation or ingestion of airborne asbestos fibers.

Please select a category from the located in the left menu or feel free to use the Asbestos Products Index located below.