Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2.2
Some Asbestos-Containing Materials Used in Buildings
Asbestos
(%)
Category
Characteristics
Dates of use
Surfacing material
Sprayed on
1-95
1935-1970s
Troweled on
Thermal system
insulation (preformed)
Batts, blocks, pipe covering
85% magnesia
15
1926-1949
Calcium silicate
6-8
1949-1970s
Textiles
Curtains (theater)
60-65
1945-present
Cementitious concrete-
like products
Flat panels
40-50
1930-present
Corrugated panels
20-45
1930-present
Pipe
~20
1930-present
Paper products
Corrugated
High temperature
90
1935-present
Moderate temperature
35-70
1910-present
Indented
98
1935-present
Millboard
80-85
1925-present
Asbestos-containing
compounds
Caulking putties
30
1930-present
Adhesive
5-25
1945-present
Joint compound
1945-1975
Spackling compound
3-5
1930-1975
Insulating cement
20-100
1900-1973
Finishing cement
55
1920-1973
Flooring tile/sheet goods
Vinyl asbestos tile
21
1960-present
Asphalt/asbestos tile
26-33
1920-present
Resilient sheeting
30
1950-present
Paints/coatings
Roof coating
4-7
1900-present
Airtight asphalt coating
15
1940-present
Note:
Information in this table was based on a 1985 study by the USEPA. Many ACM products
have been phased out or discontinued. Use period “present” indicates 1985.
Source:
Asbestos in Public and Commercial
Buildings: A Literature Review and Synthesis of Current Knowledge
From Health Effects Institute-Asbestos Research,
, Cambridge, MA, 1991. With
permission.
plaster was widely used in foyers, hallways, school gymnasia, classrooms,
etc., as a decorative surface and sound absorption medium. Surfacing mate-
rials are very friable and have a significant potential for releasing asbestos
fibers into the general building environment when disturbed.
Thermal system insulation was widely used to insulate mechanical room
boilers, associated equipment, and steam/hot water lines (
Figure 2.3
).
Occa-
sionally it was used for cold water lines to prevent condensation. In most
cases, TSI was wrapped with a protective cloth and poses an exposure risk
to service/maintenance workers only when the protective cloth (lagging) is
damaged or disturbed. Thermal system insulation was applied to boilers as
blocks or batts and to steam/hot water lines as preformed pieces.
