Roofing Shingles
Roofing shingles are a popular roofing component, used in public, commercial, and residential construction to prevent water seepage, add insulation and prevent the spread of possible fire. Many building codes require the use of shingles that meet certain minimum heat- and fire-resistance standards, and insurance companies usually have similar requirements. Because shingles comprise a significant portion of a building’s exterior, manufacturers are always searching for new, less costly alternatives that still meet the basic requirements of heat- and water-resistance, coupled with insulating properties.
Roofing Shingles and Asbestos
Roofing shingles manufactured prior to 1977, like millions of other construction materials, usually contained asbestos as an integral component. Highly regarded for its levels of heat- and fire-resistance, asbestos was cheap and plentiful, strong and insulative. In short, it seemed an ideal shingle material.
By 1977, however, the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos had become well known, and the federal government reacted by banning the inclusion of asbestos in the manufacture of any building or industrial material. The legislation allowed the use of existing materials to be used until depleted, meaning these materials continued to be included in building construction well into the 1980s.
Asbestos occurs naturally as tiny fibers, which break away during construction processes such as drilling or cutting. And as asbestos ages, even wind movement can cause the material to release the tiny, lightweight fibers, which are borne by air currents. These fibers are easily ingested and inhaled. Once in the body, the tiny strands lodge permanently, and can cause a number of potentially deadly diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
A roof has a natural lifespan, after which it must be replaced. In fact, roof replacement is a very common renovation procedure undertaken by thousands of homeowners and renovation contractors each year. But if your roof contains asbestos fibers, what seems like a positive home improvement procedure can quickly turn into a potentially deadly undertaking, as roofing removal or alteration can easily release millions of tiny asbestos fibers. Moreover, those fibers can attach themselves to clothing and be carried to other areas which can become contaminated.
It can be decades before the effects of asbestos exposure become evident. If you were involved in the manufacture, use, or removal of roofing shingles on a building constructed prior to the mid 1980s, you should discuss possible health risks with your physician.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
