Transite
Transite is a fireproof material common in the manufacture of many construction materials where insulation and fire resistance are required. Transite is a composite, meaning it is composed of a number of basic materials, including Portland cement and asphalt. The material is especially prevalent in the manufacture of roofing shingles, furnace components such as flues, and cement siding. In its manufacture, transite is usually extruded, allowing it to be formed into a variety of shapes that conform to different specific applications. When manufactured as a siding material, it is also available in a wide variety of colors and textures.
Transite and Asbestos
Transite was especially popular during the first half of the 20th century and into the 1970s, prior to the current popularity of vinyl siding. It was also during this time that the material contained varying amounts of asbestos, a material frequently widely used in the manufacture of literally thousands of construction and industrial materials prior to the mid-1970s.
But until the mid-1970s, what manufacturers and building contractors did not know abut asbestos was that the tiny fibers also posed a serious and even deadly health risk to those who were exposed to them. During he manufacturing process and the construction process, when asbestos-laden materials were cut or drilled, the materials released tiny particles of asbestos, which were easily airborne. Workers and others in the area of manufacture or use of these products regularly inhaled or ingested these fibers. Once in the body, the tiny fibers can cause a host of problems, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
And the risk of exposure continues today, as homeowners and other building owners embrace renovation and restoration projects to add value to their existing homes and buildings. Altho0ugh the government banned the use of asbestos in building and industrial applications in 1977, existing materials continued to be used in construction until the mid-1980s. Any building constructed prior to that time likely contains asbestos-based materials.
It can be especially difficult to determine if materials in your home or building contain asbestos. As a result, precautions should always be taken to avoid exposure to the fibers during building or renovation.
Decades can pass before the results of asbestos exposure become evident. If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos-laden transite, or other building materials containing the mineral, you should discuss your concerns with your physician as soon as possible.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
