Asbestos Found in Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections

Homeowners, school districts, office building or workplace management, and communities with libraries, theaters, and retail spaces are concerned about the presence of asbestos in their building. Any of these properties built before the asbestos ban in 1978 are highly likely to have asbestos in one form or the other. And as we know today, asbestos is a toxic mineral that causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Asbestos was used in many parts of heating and air conditioning systems; among these were Flexible Duct Connectors that were used to create flexible joints between two courses of duct works. Flexible Duct Connectors were made of metal, vinyl, or plastic and the material contained asbestos. Removing and replacing asbestos-containing ductwork connectors is a difficult job and best left to a professionally qualified person to do it.

Asbestos Exposure from Ductwork

How does one ascertain if the ductwork connector in the building contains asbestos? It is not possible to tell by simply looking at it. A sensible thumb rule to detect the presence of asbestos containing ductwork connectors is to determine the age of the building and by having a sample from the duct tested in an accredited laboratory for the presence of asbestos. Once the presence is established, EPA guidelines should be adhered to in the best public interest. Formally trained asbestos abatement personnel are best trusted to perform the task.

Ductwork Containing Asbestos Fibers

Scientists and researchers have unquestionably proved that exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of a rare cancer known as mesothelioma, that affects the tissues lining the lungs, the heart and the abdominal cavity. These conditions are to date without a known cure. Moreover, the disease manifests late in the staging of the disease and not much other palliative care can be administered.

It is true that if the product remains intact, it is not harmful to those who inhabit the building and are part of the confines. But it is also true that if the ductwork connectors from heating ducts that contains asbestos is not removed and it deteriorates due to weathering or is damaged or broken, millions of tiny asbestos particles are released into the air. When inhaled, these particles remain lodged in the linings of the body's organs. They fester there for many years causing irritation and inflammation and eventually manifest as asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Asbestos Ductwork Removal

Those who installed the ductwork connectors and heating ducts were exposed to the material and cases continue to be diagnosed even 50 years after the first exposure. Those who handle the removal today are in a similar danger. But being forewarned is being forearmed; so today we know what precautions to take when handling removal of asbestos containing ductwork connectors and heating ducts. The Environmental Protection Agency prescribes strict procedures on how to handle the removal of asbestos containing products like ductwork connectors from heating ducts.