New York City Homes asbestos permit application form, n.d.

z z o i o i ASBESTOS IN NEW YORK CITY HOMES WHERE MIGHT YOU FIND la In some roofing and siding shingles; WHAT ARE THE HEALTH HAZARDS? co

■D o ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME? Asbestos increases the risk of c o Asbestos, once thought to be a ■ In some paints and patching contracting four serious diseases CT o wonder material for use in insulation, compounds manufactured o' Cl In some toasters, dishwashers, that affect the lungs and digestive fireproofing and textiles, is now before 1978; tract: ■D ro known to be associated, if inhaled ovens and other appliances; o o> 3. oo or ingested, with cancer and other □ In some floor and ceiling tiles: □ Lung cancer ro S Under some radiator covers; 03 serious illnesses. Although airborne asbestos can be hazardous, its Cl In insulation for some hot water □ Inside some walls as insulation □ Mesothelioma, a cancer of the o o danger is greatly diminished by and as a plaster binding agent. lining of the lung or abdomen o pipes and furnaces; c careful handling and strict monitoring I 3 of all asbestos-related work. □ Gastro-intestinal cancer CD j zzrzjgooo©/ □ Asbestosis, which usually results , from chronic occupational expo­ WHAT IS ASBESTOS? sure to airborne asbestos fibers -------b and is not a disease found in the general population. The name “asbestos” refers to a family of strong and flexible mineral. fibers that are relatively indestructible, Except for asbestosis, these heat resistant and chemically stable. illnesses usually develop, if at all, 20 or more years after the Over the past six decades these initial exposure. fibers have been used in over 3,000 different products manufactured in the United States. Currently, There is no known safe level of 1 exposure to asbestos. The more thousands of tons of asbestos per fibers a person inhales or ingests, year are processed as floor and the greater the health risk. ceiling tiles, brake linings, cement shingles, and many other familiar .V, products. More than half of all high- If you smoke and are exposed to rise buildings built in the United asbestos, your chance of contracting States prior to 1979, when the United these diseases is 50-90% higher . States Environmental Protection than that of someone who does not Agency banned most uses of smoke and is exposed. asbestos in construction, contain • some form of asbestos. Buildings t constructed after 1979 may also _ ■ ■'5. contain asbestos-containing mate­ rials which were not banned by . , IN WHAT FORM IS ASBESTOS the United States Environmental \ DANGEROUS? Protection Agency. J I Asbestos is dangerous when the fibers become airborne. If asbestos fibers are not firmly bonded or compacted within another material, these fibers may crumble into a dust comprised of microscopic particles. Asbestos in this form is easily released into the air where it can be inhaled, swallowed or become attached to clothing. Experts consider tightly bonded asbestos to be relatively safe unless it is disturbed.