If you're a renter, you may not be particularly concerned about asbestos exposure at home. After all, if you don't have to handle maintenance and repairs, you're not likely to be exposed to asbestos fibers – right? Unfortunately, wrong. Whether you rent or own, if the building you live in was constructed before the 1980s, it's possible you could be living with asbestos. Asbestos health risks are vast, causing tiny fibers to enter airways, hindering breathing capabilities, and reducing lung function. The long-term effects of asbestos are even more concerning, with various cancers associated with continuous exposure.
Before calling a rental property home, it's essential to understand asbestos exposure risks and how to handle them as a renter.
Asbestos Exposure Risks: Buildings Most Likely to Contain Asbestos
When searching for the perfect rental property, you often consider attributes like storage space, good lighting, or whether a washer and dryer are included. Rarely does the topic of asbestos come up, as it cannot be seen with the naked eye. But if a building was constructed before the 1980s, it's likely that asbestos was used in the building process.
Asbestos was widely used for many decades thanks to its ability to resist heat and fire. It was a popular additive in insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, shingles, joint compounds, and textured ceilings. While the strength and fire-resistant qualities of asbestos are useful, its small fibers pose significant health hazards when airborne. And inhaling asbestos-containing dust can lead to a number of diseases, such as Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and lung cancer. To make matters worse, there is typically a long latency period between exposure and the onset of disease. So, while you may be able to live with asbestos for a long period of time, you won't recognize the detrimental health effects until many years later.
Do Landlords Have to Disclose Asbestos?
The short answer is no. Though landlords have several federal and state-specific requirements to adhere to, there are no requirements for asbestos disclosure. However, if asbestos is found or if renters suspect there is asbestos on the premises, there may be regulations that will enforce safe asbestos removal. Landlords are required to provide habitable living spaces, and various state laws regulate this in several ways. For example, a landlord must use a certified professional when investigating potential asbestos in a tenant's property. Similarly, if asbestos abatement is required, landlords must follow OSHA and EPA requirements and use a trained professional.
What to Do if You Suspect There's Asbestos in Your Rental
While it may be difficult to identify asbestos, as its fibers are microscopic, if you notice a patch of crumbling drywall or cracked floor tiles in your apartment, that could indicate asbestos exposure. Asbestos can be safely contained for several years; however, once building materials, like floor tiles, become cracked, there is a high probability asbestos fibers are released into the air, causing health risks once inhaled. Asbestos exposure symptoms like shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, or chest pain may also be an indication of exposure.
The best way to handle a potential asbestos exposure is to avoid further manipulating the suspected area. Additional damage could cause the fibers to release more rapidly. Next, contact your landlord immediately. Your landlord has a professional responsibility to keep your living conditions habitable. If your landlord refuses to properly address your concerns in a timely manner, check with your city's services department for guidance.
Asbestos Testing and Inspections: Addressing Issues Head On
Once you've notified your landlord of the potential of asbestos exposure, it's critical to ensure proper testing and inspections are performed immediately, as it could take time to receive results. Ensuring your landlord hires a certified professional guarantees a compliant and thorough process. Professional asbestos inspectors know the ins and outs of assessing buildings and taking samples properly to avoid testing errors. They can also help to hire a contractor to ensure the safe removal and cleanup of asbestos.
If the results determine that asbestos is present in your building, you may have a few options. While moving may seem tempting, removing or containing asbestos is very common and guarantees safe living conditions once complete. For example, if the asbestos is safely contained under tiles or flooring, it may be best to leave it alone, as removing the entire flooring could cause more harm than good since asbestos fibers can travel rapidly.
Determining this outcome is based on a few factors. For example, once the type of asbestos is identified, it is categorized as either "friable" or "non-friable." Friable asbestos can be easily crumbled and reduced to powder by hand pressure. This state of asbestos is dangerous, allowing fibers to become airborne instantly. In contrast, non-friable materials are less likely to crumble and are regulated for use today. If your asbestos is friable, it must either be contained or removed by qualified professionals.
Asbestos Removal and Abatement Process
If you live in a rental property, a qualified contractor must complete the asbestos removal and abatement process. The contractor will differ from the person who performed the asbestos test. The removal process is intricate and will require you to leave the premises for a period of time or refrain from entering the room where the asbestos is being removed. Thankfully, workers will not remain at your residence for longer than 8 hours, as The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for asbestos specifies that workers cannot be exposed to airborne asbestos for longer than the average workday of 8 hours. The PEL is designed to protect workers from the health hazards associated with asbestos exposure. Workers will then use various methods to wet the asbestos to prevent further airborne fibers from entering the air and seal off other entryways to prevent spreading. The materials will then be removed and brought to a facility regulated to handle the materials.
Asbestos-Containing Materials Identification: Prevention and Safety Tips
If you plan to move into an older building, it's important to develop a checklist to ensure you are moving into a habitable living space.
🗹 First, determine the year the building was built. Asbestos was permitted for use in residential spaces for buildings constructed between the 1930s and 1970s.
🗹 Next, observe the area you are considering renting to identify common asbestos-containing materials like cracked or broken tiles and crumbling drywall. These damages could indicate that the asbestos has been disturbed and could be airborne.
🗹Lastly, act fast. If you notice any of the following discrepancies in your rental property, consult your landlord and urge them to test the area immediately.
Unfortunately, many tenants find they live with asbestos and don't recognize the signs until it affects their health. Long-term asbestos exposure could result in life-threatening illnesses, such as, Asbestosis – a chronic lung disease, and Mesothelioma – a rare and aggressive cancer. Mesothelioma risk factors are based on the length of exposure, age, and lifestyle choices; however, the primary cause is long-term asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma typically develops 20 to 60 years after exposure, but you may experience symptoms sooner. Asbestos exposure symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and a persistent cough. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, consult your landlord to inspect your rental property and contact a healthcare provider to determine if you have been exposed to asbestos.
Getting the Help You Need With Cooney and Conway
Identifying asbestos risks and minimizing exposure is the best way to ensure good health when renting a home. It's also essential for property managers to address issues head-on to reduce exposure to tenants and avoid further complications that could lead to building closures and costly legal consequences.
If you have developed an asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to compensation for the damage that has been done to your health. To understand your legal rights, you should contact a qualified attorney with asbestos-related experience.