Does Your Rental Home Contain Asbestos?http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

It is very common for homes built or remodeled before the 1970's to have asbestos-containing materials in them. During the twentieth century, about 30 million tons of asbestos fiber were used in the United States, and some of this asbestos ended up in residential buildings.

More information about where asbestos-containing materials might be found in and around an older house:

  http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

If you have rented a home or are considering renting of one, the presence of asbestos is not necessarily a problem. The majority of individuals with asbestos-related diseases have been in the business of manufacturing, installing and/or removing asbestos products. Fortunately, most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not develop asbestos-related health problems. However, there is no known "safe" level of exposure, therefore, all exposure to asbestos should be avoided.

Asbestos is a health hazard when it is friable - when it crumbles and releases particles into the air. If the asbestos-containing materials are intact (not friable) and in a location where they are unlikely to be disturbed by remodeling or renovation, removal is not always the best option. Other options include encapsulating (sealing) it or covering it.

If you suspect that your home contains asbestos, we strongly recommend that you contact your landlord and ask for him/her to arrange a a trained and certified union technician to determine if asbestos in fact is present. 

Unless it is labeled, it is not always possible to determine if a product contains asbestos without laboratory analysis. Therefore, until a suspected product is tested, it is best to assume that it contains asbestos and not disturb it in any way. You can get names and contact information for accredited testing laboratories from The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).

Laboratory Accreditation AdministrationThe National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)Gaithersburg, MD 20899Telephone: 301-975-4016
Website: http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/210/214/214.htm

Most states require landlords to disclose known hazards before renting.

Does Your Rental Home Contain Asbestos?

Asbestos-containing products were widely used in the construction of houses, apartments, offices and schools up to the 1970's. However, the presence of asbestos-containing products in your rental unit is not necessarily a hazardous condition. It is only when asbestos-containing products break down and become airborne (i.e. friable) that a hazardous condition is created.

In 1995, OSHA issued workplace standards for testing, maintenance and disclosure of asbestos. Rental property owners were considered to fall in the category of "general industry" and therefore were covered by these OSHA regulations. Unless the property owner rules out the presence of asbestos through testing, it is presumed that asbestos is present.

When a landlord complies with OSHA regulations, performs testing, and discovers friable asbestos in a rental property, s/he is obligated to disclose this hidden and dangerous defect to the tenants. The presence of friable asbestos in rental property might be considered a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, and a tenant may be able to seek legal remedies.

If such a situation exists and you are unable to resolve the matter without legal recourse, we recommend that you contact your county or state bar association legal referral office.

Mesothelioma Common Questions
What is Mesothelioma? What is the difference between pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which a cancerous tumor grows on the mesothelium - the sac lining the internal body cavities. The specific type of mesothelioma is named for the tissue where the cancer started. Pleural mesothelioma starts in the chest, in the pleura that surrounds the lungs (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall). It makes up about 70% of mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Although sometimes referred to as "asbestos lung cancer", mesothelioma is not the same as lung cancer. Lung cancers occur inside the lung itself; mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lung. Mesothelioma is rare, striking fewer than 3000 Americans per year.

How do you get malignant mesothelioma?Asbestos, once regarded as a miracle mineral, was popular due its lightweight but tough characteristics as well as for its heat-resistant properties. This naturally occurring mineral was used in many commercial and consumer products, from construction materials such as cement, roofing shingles and insulation, to consumer and industrial applications such as hair dryers, automobile brake pads and pipe insulation.

Most people with malignant mesothelioma worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos. Others were exposed to asbestos in a household environment, often without knowing it.

How much exposure does it take to get the disease? What is the latency period?

Very little exposure can result in mesothelioma. Sometimes people who worked with asbestos for as little as one or two months get mesothelioma. The "latency period" refers to the time between asbestos exposure and diagnosis of the disease. For mesothelioma, the latency period can be decades long, and people exposed in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are now being diagnosed.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Please note that it is important to seek professional medical advice when trying to diagnose for mesothelioma. The major symptoms include:
 Other symptoms may include:
 How do doctors treat malignant mesothelioma?

Each patient has an individualized treatment plan which takes into account the type and stage of the cancer as well as the patient's overall health. Traditional treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these.

Is there any promising research or are there promising new drugs for mesothelioma?
Scientists and doctors are engaged in research at various cancer centers all over the United States. Researchers are constantly trying to develop new and more effective drugs as well as new treatment techniques. In the past few years, there have been several major advances in the management of mesothelioma, including more accurate staging, improvements in surgical techniques and postoperative care, new chemotherapy regimens, and new radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

What should I do if I think I've been exposed to asbestos but don't have mesothelioma?You probably will not get this rare disease, but you should remain vigilant and get regular check-ups. Let your doctor know about your asbestos exposure.

Where can I find information on living with mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Aid http://www.mesothelioma-aid.org/ is a good website for resource for families dealing with mesothelioma. It includes advice and referrals to other resources for coping with cancer, caregiving, financial challenges, and such.