Asbestos was used extensively in home building materials and trades for much of the 20th century but in the 1970s was found to be a serious health hazard. It was discovered that, when airborne, the minute fibers of asbestos could be breathed into the lungs where they could become permanently lodged. Over time, they could produce a disease known as asbestosis, or a rare form of lung and intestinal cancer called mesothelioma. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the risk, you can't just remove materials that contain asbestos from your home yourself--this would expose you and your family to airborne particles. Instead, you need to have licensed asbestos abatement professionals handle testing and any necessary removal.

In this section of HomeTips, you will find information on how to detect asbestos in your home and the specific steps to take if you find it.