A look at some of the more unusual uses of asbestos I have encountered in my experience as an asbestos building inspector.

1. Asbestos- Believe it or not A look at some of the more obscure and unusual uses of asbestos By Joseph Burley Chrysotile fibers under Phase Contrast Microscopy

2. linoleum Most commonly in the lino itself but sometimes found in the backing felt, underlayment or mastic

3. Dry transformer coil shielding and lining (General Electric 1972) tan cardboard 30% asbestos white coated paper 60% asbestos coated fabric mesh 20% asbestos Electricians, metal scrappers and similar workers are often unwittingly exposed!

4. circuitbreaker door-paper shielding This friable paper shielding is akin to raw asbestos fabric, often 60-70%. Just opening and closing the door causes a release of fibers. Cardboard or cementitious fuse shields are sometimes asbestos, although not in this instance

5. Exterior Building Caulk (mid-1970s) 10% chrysotile Client had hoped for an asbestos-free building (until I told them they had this stuff that was cost prohibitive to remove)

7. rigid asbestos vinyl cove trim (10% chrysotile) Transite Cove Cove Base Molding and Glue

8. wood molding glue grey glue is 5% chrysotile

9. faux chimney brick mastic

10. foundation/wall damp-proofing and vapor barrier products Damp-proofing tar almost always contains asbestos in pre-2000 construction

11. asbestos paint I always wonder how much labs miss when they don’t check the paint layer when analyzing samples

13. ironing board fabric and hot pad (dry cleaners) Older dry cleaners rightfully receive a lot of attention for the hazardous solvents they use but I often wonder how many clean garments are returned to the customer with asbestos fibers on them