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Duct Tape - Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Duct tape today is asbestos free, but in the past duct tape used to wrap heating or air conditioning pipes may have contained asbestos. Asbestos duct tape was used originally to hold together metal ducts at the joints and prevent air from escaping from the air conditioning or heating system at those joints. Duct tape containing asbestos is generally white and wrapped around air conditioning or heating ducts for forced air heat.

Asbestos containing duct tape is most likely to be found in homes that were built prior to 1980. If it is in good condition, it should not be disturbed. Instead, the EPA recommends encapsulating asbestos containing materials like duct tape to prevent them releasing asbestos fibers into the air.

The real danger in asbestos is in those fibers. When asbestos is broken, sanded or moved around, it can release dust and fibers into the air. Those fibers, when inhaled, can lodge in the lungs and eventually may cause mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissues that line the lungs and other organs in the body. Mesothelioma is always fatal, often within months of diagnosis. Because its only known cause is asbestos, and because the companies that made and distributed products impregnated with asbestos hid its dangers from the public, many courts have awarded large settlements to former workers who developed mesothelioma.

Among the people most likely to develop mesothelioma are construction workers and workers with HVAC systems. The insulating properties of asbestos made it a natural for use in insulation applications. Because asbestos can be easily woven into fabrics and paper, it was often used to wrap pipes and ducts, where the tape could conform exactly to the contours and shapes of the pipe.

Should I be concerned if I find asbestos duct tape in my house?

Typically, the answer to that question is no. In most cases, asbestos duct tape wrapping pipes or ducts can be completely encapsulated, keeping it from shedding asbestos fibers into the air. If the tape is fraying or deteriorating, it may be best to contact a professional asbestos removal company.

Who should be concerned about the asbestos in duct tape?

If you worked for a company that manufactured asbestos duct tape, or if you worked in insulation before the 1980s, you were likely exposed to high levels of asbestos in your workplace and on worksites. In addition, anyone who works in insulation or HVAC in older homes may be exposed to asbestos containing materials in the course of their work. Because exposure to asbestos greatly increases the risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos related lung diseases, anyone who worked with asbestos tape or in those industries should make their doctors aware of their history of asbestos exposure. This is especially important if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, as they are often mistakenly diagnosed as other conditions. Like any other cancer, mesothelioma is easier to manage if it is discovered in the early stages. Knowing that you may have been exposed to asbestos can help your doctor make an informed diagnosis.

In addition, if you have been exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for your exposure. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn more about your right to compensation for your injuries or illness.

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