Over the years, asbestos has been used in as many as 5,000 consumer and commercial products and applications. Inexpensive and easily accessible, asbestos is a fibrous mineral once thought useful for its strength, durability, and heat-resistant properties. Health and government officials now know that asbestos is a carcinogen, which can cause a variety of cancers, including lung cancer and mesothelioma , after prolonged exposure. Asbestos is especially dangerous when inhaled in high concentrations.

Asbestos can be found in various structures, such as industrial facilities, homes, and schools built prior to the 1970s, when the government began regulating its use. While asbestos has not been mined in the United States since 2002, it can still be found in various goods and materials imported into the country.

Unfortunately, asbestos products are more common than people suspect. Please refer to the list of common asbestos products below if you are concerned about your risk for asbestos exposure .

Common Asbestos Products

• Insulation materials including steam pipes, boilers, furnace ducts, cement sheet, millboard, and paper
• Fire- and sound-proofing materials such as acoustical plaster, decorative plaster, textured paint or coatings, fire doors, and fire blankets
• Gaskets found in furnaces, wood stoves, coal stoves, and automobiles
• Brake pads and linings and clutch facings
• Roofing materials including shingles, cement siding, and cement wallboards
• Various types of tiling and flooring including vinyl and asphalt
• Patching and joint compounds like caulking, putties, adhesives, and thermal taping compounds
• Numerous textile and cloth products such as blankets, asbestos gloves, threads, cords, and yarns
• Vermiculite garden products including fertilizers, pesticides, potting mixes, and composts
• Talc also found in baby powder, cosmetics, and feminine hygiene products

Asbestos Products That May Surprise You

Most consumer products today are asbestos-free. However, until the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in a variety of household appliances. Individuals who like to collect old appliances or fix them up are at risk for asbestos exposure since many older appliances contained asbestos. The following is a list of such asbestos products:

• Coffee pots
• Toasters
• Popcorn poppers
• Crock pots
• Irons
• Hair dryers (especially dangerous because they blow asbestos directly into the air)
• Portable heaters
• Electric blankets
• Ironing board covers

If you developed an asbestos-related condition because of an asbestos product, you may be entitled to recover damages for your losses. Please contact us to speak with an experienced asbestos attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your rights. You may be able to obtain compensation for your losses and suffering caused by asbestos.

Related Asbestos Product News

April 14, 2008 - Asbestos Suit Filed Against CBS Corporation 

April 7, 2008 - W.R. Grace to Pay Asbestos Victims $3 Billion  

November 28, 2007 - Asbestos Found in Children’s Toys