Over time, scar tissue forms and becomes cancerous tumors called Mesothelioma. These particles can become abrasive, creating constant irritation for the individual. These particles would become stuck and stay in a person’s lungs for the rest of their lives. When workers would inhale asbestos fibers, their microscopic particles would become embedded into the lung’s lining, which is also referred to as the mesothelium. The Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule put an end to filling roofing products with asbestos fibers that could cause serious diseases, such as mesothelioma. It wasn’t until 1989 that serious action was taken to halt the use of asbestos on any level. This threat was especially harmful to manufacturing employees and installation workers. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was aware of the true dangers to human health that could be caused when exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. The decline of asbestos materialĪsbestos had a long run as the perceived best roofing material on the market.
With all the advantages that asbestos seemed to provide, it was an option endorsed by builders across the U.S. From an installation standpoint, it was easy to work with, widely sourced due to the new factors built to meet demand, and was a low-cost option for residential and commercial property owners. Asbestos had no risk of rotting, rusting, conducting electricity, or reacting to heat. Asphalt has long been a popular choice of roofing material, especially in residential areas.Īdding asbestos drastically reduced fire risk while making asphalt-based roofing more durable and long-lasting. Asbestos is also lightweight, which solved structural issues for heavy roof loads. This made asbestos a popular choice for both civic planners and insurance companies. Asbestos fibers helped prevent fires that were common with wood shakes or bare asphalt. Advantages of asbestosĪsbestos became so popular due to its many advantages. In essence, asbestos was soon a component of almost every aspect of roofing and siding in some way. Asbestos soon made its way into caulking, mastic, and sealants, as well as roof flashing and vents. It was also used for roofing felt and underlayment. Asbestos was used for roofing tar and asphalt liquids. Asbestos in roofing materialĪsbestos was so well received and easy to work with that it was soon used for more than just shingles. For the next seven decades, asbestos roofing products were used across the United States. Asbestos was blended with asphalt to create a product that wasn’t a fire risk and would be long-lasting and durable. By 1907, asbestos became one of the most sought-after roofing material additives for making shingles. Roofing materials, such as wood shakes or bare asphalt, were highly flammable, the concrete tile was difficult to work with, and metal tended to rust. This is because early roofing material had several serious issues. By the early 1900s, asbestos grew as a top choice roofing product. First referring to his creation as Eternit, the Latin term meaning “everlasting,” a European chemist filed his patent for asbestos cement roofing shingles in 1893. Where it all beganĪsbestos was first developed in the 1800s. While we now understand the true life-threatening risk of using asbestos, it was once one of the most popular additives for roofing materials. Whether it is asphalt, concrete, or other materials, almost all petroleum-based roofing materials once contained asbestos fiber. Roofing material can vary on types of roofing as well. Roofing materials continue to change and evolve as we gain access to better materials and technologies.
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