Key Takeaways
- Asbestos is not a thing of the past. The EPA estimates that up to 107,000 buildings in the United States still contain asbestos, including older homes and schools.
- More than 3,000 products may still contain asbestos, and asbestos-related diseases are estimated to cause 12,000 to 15,000 deaths per year in the United States.
- Asbestos is found in everyday products most people wouldn’t expect — including automotive brake pads, school chalkboards and buildings, electrical wires and panels, floor tiles, vinyl lining, paints, wallboard, children’s crayons, and potting soil.
- Asbestos is dangerous when it is disturbed, cracked, or broken down — releasing microscopic fibers that can be inhaled or ingested.
- Asbestos exposure can cause both noncancerous diseases (asbestosis, pleural disease) and cancerous diseases (mesothelioma, lung cancer).
- Asbestos fibers are still legal in the United States — they have never been fully banned, despite decades of evidence linking them to serious illness and death.
While the history of asbestos dates back to the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1700s, asbestos is still present and active in many locations across America. It is estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that up to “107,000 buildings in the United States contain asbestos, including older homes and schools”. In addition to this, the Department of Health also suggests that over “3000 products may contain asbestos”. This estimates an average of 12,000 to 15,000 asbestos-related deaths in the United States per year according to Asbestos Nation. The trajectory of asbestos-related exposures and asbestos in modern-day America is something to be concerned about for our future generations in addition to the mature ones.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a family of natural fibers often used for their strengthening properties. This makes it valuable for products that additionally require heat and chemical resistance. While it serves good use in materials, it is hazardous when inhaled or ingested. This means if the asbestos-infused product becomes cracked or broken down it can do more damage than good. Unfortunately, the fibers are still legal in the United States and present in many of today’s products.
Asbestos-Related Products
We commonly hear of asbestos being found in construction materials and can easily dismiss its relevance to everyday products, but this is a dangerous idea to have. Here is a list of everyday products that contain asbestos.
- Automotive: Brake pads
- Schools: Chalkboards, building
- Electrical: Wires, panels
- Home: Tiles, vinyl lining, paints, wallboard
- Children’s art supplies: Crayons
- Gardening: Potting soil
Asbestos-Related Diseases
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry claims the most common diseases caused by asbestos exposure are either noncancerous or cancerous.
Noncancerous:
- Asbestosis: This is a chronic disease that creates scarring on the lungs due to “prolonged exposure to high concentrations of asbestos fibers in the air” (American Lung Association).
- Pleural disease: This is a broader term for a range of deviations including “pleural effusions, plaques, and diffuse thickening”(Asbestosis and Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases).
Cancerous:
- Mesothelioma: This is a disease that attacks the mesothelial cells found in vital organs. The four different types are Pleural (lungs), Pericardial (heart), Peritoneal (abdomen), and Testicular (testicles).
- Lung Cancer: This cancer can be further described as either small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer.
It is important to talk to a trusted doctor if you believe you have been a victim of asbestos exposure and are facing health-related issues. If you or someone you know has been affected by asbestos exposure or mesothelioma in the state of Pennsylvania, please call 1 (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form and someone will be with you right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asbestos still present in the United States today?
Yes. Despite decades of regulation, asbestos remains present throughout the country. The EPA estimates that up to 107,000 buildings — including older homes and schools — still contain asbestos. The Department of Health estimates that more than 3,000 products may contain asbestos. The fibers have never been fully banned in the United States, and certain uses remain legal.
What everyday products contain asbestos?
Asbestos can be found in a surprisingly wide range of everyday products:
- Automotive — brake pads
- Schools — chalkboards, building materials
- Electrical — wires, panels
- Home — floor tiles, vinyl lining, paints, wallboard
- Children’s products — certain crayons have tested positive for asbestos contamination
- Gardening — some potting soil products
Many of these products are safe when intact, but become dangerous when cracked, broken down, or disturbed — releasing fibers into the air.
How many people die from asbestos-related diseases each year?
According to Asbestos Nation, an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases in the United States each year. This figure includes deaths from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and other conditions. Mesothelioma alone accounts for approximately 3,000 new diagnoses annually.
When does asbestos become dangerous?
Asbestos is generally not dangerous when it is intact and undisturbed. It becomes hazardous when asbestos-containing materials are cracked, broken, cut, sanded, drilled, demolished, or otherwise disturbed — any action that releases microscopic fibers into the air. Once airborne, these fibers can be inhaled or ingested and become permanently lodged in tissue, eventually leading to serious diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
What diseases does asbestos exposure cause?
Asbestos exposure can cause both noncancerous and cancerous diseases:
- Noncancerous:
- Asbestosis — chronic scarring of the lungs from prolonged exposure to high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers
- Pleural disease — a range of conditions including pleural effusions (fluid buildup), pleural plaques, and diffuse pleural thickening
- Cancerous:
- Mesothelioma — a rare, aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles
- Lung cancer — either small cell or non-small cell, with risk significantly increased by asbestos exposure
Is asbestos legal in the United States?
Asbestos has never been fully banned in the United States. The EPA enacted a partial ban in 1989, but it was largely overturned by a court ruling in 1991. A 2019 rule prevented discontinued asbestos products from re-entering the market. In 2024, the EPA finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos — the only type still regularly used in the U.S. — but other forms of asbestos and products already in place remain part of the country’s infrastructure.
Can children be exposed to asbestos?
Yes. Children can be exposed to asbestos through multiple pathways. Older schools may contain asbestos in building materials, insulation, and even chalkboards. Testing has found asbestos contamination in children’s crayons and art supplies. Some potting soils used in school and home gardening projects may also contain asbestos. These exposures are particularly concerning because children’s developing bodies may be more vulnerable to the long-term effects of asbestos inhalation.
What should I do if I believe I’ve been exposed to asbestos?
If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos — whether through your home, workplace, school, or consumer products — talk to your doctor and mention your exposure history. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
