Life span of asbestos fibers?

Question

I plan on removing my cottage cheese ceiling so I can rid my home of asbestos. What is the life span of asbestos fibers? For example, if I remove the asbestos and for some reason there are airborne fibers, how long would it take for them to disappear? Or would they disappear?

Thanks.

Just to clarify... I do not plan on removing them myself. I plan on hiring a professional, licensed contractor to remove the asbestos.

I'm just curious if asbestos fibers just hang around, if they for some reason escape and are airborne.

Answer 1

They don't break down if that's what you mean. They must be mechanically removed from the environment.

Most experts (which is to say people who make a living studying the stuff, rather than the lawyers who make a percentage of every dollar they can sue out of somebody over the stuff) agree that as far as "popcorn ceilings" and asbestos-containing floor tiles and insulation go, the proper thing for the homeowner to do is simply paint over it. This seals in the fibers completely, eliminating any possible exposure to the airborne fibers.

However, lets face it -- there is one good reason to get rid of those popcorn ceilings. They are ugly as sin (who the heck ever thought that looked good?). If you choose to remove the material, the following approach should completely protect you from any residual fibers after the job is done:

Use a good quality face mask with air filter -- this will cost maybe $20 at the hardware store. Even just a standard cheap filter mask ($1 style) will reduce the levels of inhaled fibers by 90% or more if used properly, but a good quality sealed one with a filter cannister will take out essentially 100% of any fibers.

Open the windows, and set up a fan to blow out through the downwind windows -- this will suck clean air in through the upwind windows, pick up any loose fibers, carry them out the downwind windows, and they will disperse outdoors in low enough concentrations as to not pose a threat to anyone.

Use water to dampen the material, this will keep it from forming loose fibers as well as make it easier to remove from the ceiling. A garden sprayer filled with warm water works best.

Keep the waste material dampenend and in closed bags once it has been scraped from the ceiling.

When done, dust thouroughly and vacuum the carpets and mop the floor, then throw out the vacuum cleaner bag and the duster and mop used.

BTW, don't freak out too much about asbestos -- the primary risk is just to those who are CHRONICALLY exposed to high levels of loose floating fibers of it, such as people who work with the stuff every day (insulation, demolition, concrete, etc workers in industries where measurable asbestos exposure happens every day).

Keep it in perspective:
http://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/johs/pages/Asbexpbldg.htm
Note that the risk of contracting a deadly cancer from casual asbestos exposure (the type that occurs in the home environment) is about 1/12000th the risk of dying from cancer due to smoking.

Also though it may be dry and overly technical, here is another great reference on the subject:
http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/125/3/1103
Note that this study puts the risk of contracting mesothelioma or other forms of asbestos-related cancers due to casual exposure this way: "Low-level exposure, as encountered in public buildings, probably does not represent any additional health hazard beyond what is incurred breathing outdoor air."

Answer 2

Asbestos does not disappear. The dust fibers will redeposit on anything that it comes in contact with. My Dad died in March of 2005 due to asbestos exposure while employed as an industrial pipefitter. Ive seen first hand how dangerous it is and the painful death that it causes. Dont take the risk of having this in your home. Hire a pro and have it removed because once it is in your lungs it doesnt go away.

Answer 3

How would they disappear? They don't evaporate. Removing asbestos is a job for professionals who know how to prevent the fibers from escaping into the air. You should not try to do it yourself
Take a look at this site, and you will see why.

http://www.airquality.utah.gov/HAPs/ASBESTOS/info/asbstrem.htm#down

Answer 4

Hi Maitreyauk. I just took a quick look at the medical research in this area on Pubmed/Medline. This is a very controversial concept - which means the scientific evidence is not strong. The research that has been done is not of 'good quality', so the conclusions are not likely to be valid. One of the problems with research in this area is that it depends on looking at the number of left-handers still alive vs. right-handers still alive in older age groups. Unfortunately, in these older people, they grew up in a time when schools forced left-handers to "become right-handers" (my father had to deal with this in school). So, the number of remaining left-handers is less than would naturally occur without this forced change in handedness. Another problem with this hypothesis is the lack of an explanation of how handedness shortens life. Overall, this hypothesis is very, very weak. So relax and live a long, healthy and prosperous life!

Answer 5

i would cover up all your furniture and put down drop clothes in case some of the dust gets on the floor. also make sure you have a mask. you can have your air check call the epa, they will know more about that problem

Answer 6

Great point, but I'm not 100%

Answer 7

They never disapear or biodegrade

Having a pro outfit do it was the best choice you shouldn't have anything left

Answer 8

I was on Y Answers for something or other, but this question was trending on the sidebar...