Attic-Stored Christmas Décor Could Pose Risk of Mesothelioma

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Attic-Stored Christmas Décor Could Pose Risk of Mesothelioma

Christmas decorations stored in the attic could carry a hidden health risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos caused diseases for millions of American homes.

An estimated 35 million older homes are insulated with a vermiculite insulation sold under the brand name Zonolite. But the vermiculite mined by the W.R. Grace Company to produce Zonolite has been found to also contain fibers of asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral that has been linked to such deadly diseases as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The EPA says Zonolite insulation is unlikely to pose a health risk when left undisturbed.  But inhaling the insulation dust accidently transported from the attic on Christmas decorations, wreaths, artificial trees or lights could put residents at serious risk including causing or contributing asbestos caused diseases such as mesothelioma.  A recent AOL News report warns that children may be at greatest risk from such exposure because they are more likely to play with the décor, have higher breathing rates, and have more time for lodged asbestos fibers to cause illness during their lifetime.

Speaking to AOL, former EPA toxicologist Chris Weis, now a senior toxicologist for the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, said Zonolite was sold nationwide. "There are millions… of homes in the United States probably contaminated with this [lethal] material. The inventories show it was pretty much distributed from coast to coast, most heavily across the tier of Northern states – New England, the upper Midwest and the Northwest -- and in all likelihood, it's still there."

Although Zonolite insulation has not been sold for years, the longer it remains in homes, the greater the likelihood that it will become brittle and produce dust as it degrades.

In most cases, Christmas decorations themselves don’t pose a risk.  But that was not always the case.  Because of its superior resistance to fire and flame, asbestos was once a popular form of ‘safe’ artificial snow.  It was commonly mixed with mica and sold in the 1930’s as ‘snow drift’ to be liberally sprinkled indoors around Christmas trees, or used to flock their branches.  After the health risks of asbestos came to light, these products were taken off the market.

Resistance to heat and chemical corrosion also made asbestos popular for more than insulation. It was used in more than 3000 different building products including wallboard, paints, floor tiles and shingles until as late as the 1980’s.  Disturbing any of these things, by remodeling or repairing, could lead to asbestos exposure and health risks.  For this reason, the EPA recommends that intact asbestos be left in place.  Asbestos that must be removed should be removed by a trained abatement professional.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.  There are three types of malignant mesothelioma – pleural (around the lungs), peritoneal (around the abdomen) and pericardial (around the heart).  There are also rarer forms of benign mesothelioma such as benign cystic mesothelioma.

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December 13, 2010 | Permalink

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Removing Christmas Decorations may Pose Asbestos Threat

Caution while removing Christmas decorations stored in the attic! Removing your holiday tinsel and lights could carry a hidden health risk of mesothelioma a rare but aggressive form of cancer that is caused almost exclusively asbestos.

It is estimated that around 35 million homes in the United States are insulated with an insulation known as Zonolite which has been found to contain fibers of asbestos. Zonolite is most commonly found in older homes throughout the US but is unlikely to pose a health risk if left undisturbed. However, removing Christmas decorations could cause a disturbance. Zonolite has not been sold for years, but the longer it remains in homes, the greater the likelihood that it will become disturbed and produce dust.

In the past asbestos was once a popular form of ‘safe’ artificial snow.  It was mixed with mica and sold in the 1930’s as ‘snow drift’ to be liberally sprinkled indoors around Christmas trees, or used to flock their branches.  After the health risks of asbestos came to light, these products were taken off the market.

The EPA recommends that homeowners do not remove asbestos themselves and that it be left intact in its place.  Asbestos that must be removed should be removed by a trained abatement professional.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma contact Legal View to learn about your legal options at 866-9LAW-NOW. Our operators are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 1-866-952-9669. Visit LegalView for more information about finding a potential mesothelioma lawyer and other information about environmental toxins, including asbestos.

Tags: Asbestos, Mesothelioma

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 7:31 am and is filed under Asbestos & Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Possible asbestos exposure this Christmas

The US government is getting a bad rap after no response to parties concerned with Zonolite brand insulation. Zonilite brand was popular in the 1950’s and is still present in an estimated thirty-seven million buildings and homes across America. The product was made with naturally occurring vermiculite, which normally would be no cause for alarm. However, after high numbers of asbestos related illnesses became associated with Zonolite brand insulated homes, an investigation was done by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Vermiculite used in Zonolite brand insulation came from one particular mine. This mine also held strands of asbestos, which tainted the vermiculite now present in millions of US attics.

Although the US government is aware of the potential damage possible by this insulation, there seems to be no official government response to the situation. This is additionally concerning to Joel Shufro, executive director for the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. He said, “Given the tremendous government-funded winterization programs, we can expect exposure to workers to increase as they disturb the old asbestos-carrying insulations. Failure of the government to inform workers and others who may be exposed to this hazard is incorrigible. This is a well-known, aggressive carcinogen and unless people know about it, it’s a prescription for death.” Shufro adds, “I am amazed and appalled that nothing has happened.”

Dr. Aubrey Miller was the medical director for the EPA’s investigation team responding to asbestos related illnesses associated with the mine. Asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cases were abnormally high. “Based on my experience, and my understanding of the residential and worker exposures to the asbestos in this insulation, I believe firmly that individuals are being sickened and even dying from these exposures across the country on a continuing basis,” he said.

Dr. Miller is concerned for homeowners who will come in contact with toxic dust from their tainted attic insulation this Christmas season. Christmas ornaments and decorations typically stored in attic spaces will be brought down into the home potentially covered with asbestos fibers.  He said, “It’s particularly important to understand the risks for children who have higher breathing rates and will inhale more of the fibers.” He continues, “Children, especially young ones, tend to spend much of their time on the floor playing with the ornaments and toys, breathing the asbestos-contaminated dust, and have many years for the asbestos fibers that lodge in their lungs to eventually cause disease.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 at 6:45 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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