Raising Awareness of Asbestos

Most Americans know the dangers of asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral. Asbestos was heavily used from the 1930’s to the 1970’s as insulation on water or steam pipes, and in floor, ceiling and siding tiles, textured paint and soundproofing materials.  Many people believe asbestos was banned from use in the 1970’s, but a complete ban was decided against by the U.S. #Congress, allowing numerous asbestos-containing products to remain on the market.  Some of these include construction materials, automotive products such as gaskets and brake pads, and asbestos clothing such as gloves and welder’s blankets. 

If you suspect your home contains asbestos, don’t panic.  Older homes often do contain it, but if the material is in good condition and not deteriorating, the best solution is to leave it alone.   Material that is crumbling, or if it has been scraped or sanded, is more likely to create a health hazard.  However, even if your home does not contain #asbestos, it is possible that because asbestos is still in our environment, you are at risk for exposure.

A recent blog post by Adam Lee, who writes for The #Mesothelioma Center, describes how asbestos can be found in our tap water via its use in the cement pipes of water distribution systems around the country.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) screens for and regulates the levels of acceptable contaminant levels, and in 1992 the EPA added asbestos to the list of #contaminants often found in tap water.

Of course the only way to know you are not ingesting asbestos is to filter your drinking water, using a high-quality filter that specifically addresses asbestos as a contaminant.  The Multipure family of water filters are all tested and certified by NSF International, the independent third party that is widely recognized around the world for its expertise in testing and certifying consumer goods for health and safety.  All Multipure Drinking Water Systems are NSF certified to reduce asbestos.