What is Asbestos, Lead and Mold?

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of flexible fibers that are heat, electricity, and corrosion resistant. As a result, the mineral is useful. It is, however, highly toxic to be exposed to asbestos. There is no ban on asbestos in the United States, but it is regulated.

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In addition to its use in construction, asbestos can be added to cloth, paper, cement, plastic, and other materials to make them stronger. The fibers in asbestos dust can become permanently trapped in the body when inhaled or ingested. Asbestos fibers can cause inflammation, scarring, and eventually genetic damage over decades.

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Asbestos exposure can cause cancer and other health problems. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Asbestosis is also a progressive lung disease caused by asbestos. It is asbestos' carcinogenic properties that make it dangerous.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. Although it has some benefits, it can also cause health problems for humans and animals.

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All parts of our environment can contain lead, including the air, soil, and water. As a result of human activities such as fossil fuel use, some types of industrial facilities, and the past use of lead-based paint in homes, we are exposed to a great deal of lead. Our homes contain many products containing lead, including paint, ceramics, pipes, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics.

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Through these past and current uses, lead could enter the environment. Industrial sources and contaminated sites, such as former lead smelters, can also emit lead into the environment. Although natural levels of lead in soil range from 50 to 400 parts per million, mining, smelting and refining have significantly increased lead levels in the environment.

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Lead can travel long distances from industrial sources or spark-ignition engines before settling on the ground, where it usually adheres to soil particles. Based on the soil characteristics and the type of lead compound, lead may move from soil into ground water.

What is Mold?

To reproduce, molds produce tiny spores. Indoors and outdoors, mold spores are constantly circulating. Mold spores may grow and digest whatever they land on when they land on a damp area indoors. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpets, and foods. Whenever there is an excessive accumulation of moisture or water indoors, mold will often grow, especially if the moisture problem is not discovered or addressed. In order to control indoor mold growth, dampness must be controlled; there is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores.