The picture below was taken in the basement of a single family home. It appeared that the homeowner or someone else (non-asbestos professional) attempted to remove the asbestos containing insulation from the heating pipes and scattered some of it on the floor.

Photo taken by Dennis Robitaille of Able Home Inspection, Inc.

In a situation such as this, when asbestos material is not properly removed, asbestos fibers could have been released and become airborne. The fibers can also mix with the dust and remain in the basement area for an indefinite period of time. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that asbestos represents a health hazard if "friable" (damaged, crumbling, or in any state that allows the release of fibers.) If asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can have serious effects on your health, which may not appear until 15 or more years later. Asbestos can cause asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs that leads to breathing problems and heart failure. It can also cause cancer of the lungs and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the chest or abdomen lining. Special regulations exist for the removal and disposal of asbestos. More Asbestos Info.