Corrugated Paper
Asbestos is quite durable and has fire resistant properties. Therefore it was once used in many paper products. One of these products is corrugated paper. Corrugated paper is a thick, pleated paper that is very sturdy. The ridges in corrugated paper create tiny pockets of trapped air that aids in the insulation of piping. It is also lightweight, which makes it easy to install. Often used for wrapping and packing, it can be found in a number of places inside a home or building.
There are many factories that made corrugated paper with asbestos and many people were exposed to asbestos. There are also many places in the home that corrugated paper is used, such as the areas around the fireplace and stove. Corrugated paper is also used for thermal insulation as pipe covering, and even in elevators as panel insulation. It can even be found in certain small appliances like hot plates and trivets. When the paper is ripped, torn, or otherwise damaged, its asbestos fibers can be inhaled by anyone in the immediate area.
Today the use of asbestos in corrugated paper is no longer allowed; however, the ban was not put in place until the late 1970’s. Many older homes and buildings still have asbestos-containing corrugated paper in them. With time, paper in these settings can become very dangerous. Any worker should take precautions when dealing with this paper especially if they are cutting, sanding, or ripping this paper as the toxins from the asbestos fibers could be inhaled. If an older building may have asbestos in it, before attempting to remove any asbestos corrugated paper, residents should call an experienced repairman who knows how to remove this safely.
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