Protecting Oregon's Environment
Oregon State Seal
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Air Quality

Asbestos Program

green envelope icon Sign up for email updates on Asbestos

Air Quality Home
Asbestos Home
  For Homeowners
  For Professionals
  For Building
Owner/Operator
Landlord
Asbestos Regulations
Contact Us

Dangers of asbestos

Breathing in asbestos fibers has been linked to cancer and other diseases. When asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged it releases tiny fibers into the air that are too small to be filtered by a dust mask. There is no safe level of exposure. Contact with any amount of asbestos can be harmful.

The best way to handle asbestos-containing material is to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to perform the work. Most home repair or remodeling contractors do not have an asbestos abatement license or certified workers who are trained and equipped to work safely with asbestos.

Protect yourself and your family from the dangers of improper asbestos removal. Call 1-800-452-4011 to get more information and advice before you remodel, hire a contractor or attempt to handle asbestos yourself.

 

  Image of danger label
Picture courtesy of Sound Waves Monthly Newsletter, May 2003, a publication of U.S. Geological Survey

[print version]

For more information about Air Quality call 503-229-5359 or email.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Headquarters: 811 SW Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204-1390
Phone: 503-229-5696 or toll free in Oregon 1-800-452-4011
Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900  FAX: 503-229-6124

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is a regulatory agency authorized to protect Oregon's environment by
the State of Oregon and the Environmental Protection Agency.

DEQ Web site privacy notice