Caulk products were designed to be weatherproof, heatproof, waterproof, and durable, which is why asbestos in caulking was added to reinforce the formula.<\/p>\n
Asbestos in caulking was most commonly used in \u2018window putty,\u2019 to help retain heat and reduce drafts.<\/p>\n
Common places in the home that may have asbestos-containing caulk are around the seals of ovens, fireplaces, boilers, pipe joints, ducts, brickwork, and exteriors.<\/p>\n
Asbestos fibers cannot be released from caulking unless the caulk is damaged by aging, water, impact, drilling, sanding, scraping, or attempts to remove it.<\/p>\n
Caulking is particularly dangerous when houses are undergoing renovations or demolitions, as the asbestos<\/a> becomes disturbed and can circulate throughout the air.<\/p>\n In construction, caulking was used to close gaps between pipes or panels, which means that workers today, such as plumbers<\/a> and electricians<\/a>, can be exposed to the fibers when repairing or maintaining these areas.<\/p>\n In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that window putty containing asbestos was not required to be removed from a building before demolition, but that the caulking will become regulated and removed if it becomes brittle.<\/p>\nAsbestos in Caulking Products Today<\/h3>\n