Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.
Asbestos shingle siding dangerous.
Repair and removal.
Asbestos cement roofing shingles and siding products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed dilled or cut.
Since 1989 the epa environmental protection agency has prohibited the use of asbestos in the united states.
Past usage of asbestos.
If the asbestos material is in good shape and will not be disturbed do nothing.
Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.
Care and proper procedures should always be taken during removal and disposal but in general asbestos siding ranks very low on the list of materials that contain asbestos as far as danger.
Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.
If it is a problem there are two types of corrections.
Shingle siding is only dangerous when broken up and the fibers are disturbed and sent into the air and inhaled.
Before that asbestos products were used in the construction of homes in many ways including in shingles siding insulation floor tiles and cement.
And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous.
The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause.
Identifying siding shingles with asbestos.
Intact siding that is still in place poses no health risk as mesothelioma and other lung diseases only occur when a large amount of fibers are inhaled.