For decades, asbestos was a popular additive to many products. It was favoured by manufacturers and contractors because of its fire-retardant characteristics and its ability to act as an insulator. What people didn't realize is that asbestos can be extremely harmful to human health. As tiny fibres of this known carcinogen become airborne, they can be inhaled into the lungs. This can cause one of several deadly illnesses. Asbestos is no longer used to build residences. Nevertheless, products that contain it are still found in homes across the country, especially those that were built prior to 1980. Any updating or remodelling projects done on these structures have the potential to release deadly fibres into the air. Read Asbestos Products In Your Home: Identifying - Remediating - Health Hazards The following list details the most common items which may be containing this hazardous material that are found in homes. Being familiar with this list alerts homeowners to the need for specialized asbestos removal services that are performed by well-trained technicians. Professional asbestos removal protects homeowners and their families from potentially harmful exposure. 1. Cement foundations, walkways and driveways 2. Insulation, especially in homes built between the 1930s and 1950s 3. Roofing shingles 4. Siding 5. Patching and joint compound 6. Textured paint 7. Decorative material that is sprayed on ceilings and walls 8. Soundproofing material sprayed onto the surface of walls and ceilings 9. Artificial ashes and embers used in gas fireplaces 10. Door gaskets found on wood stoves and furnaces 11. Fireproof gloves manufactured prior to 1980 12. Ironing-board covers manufactured prior to 1980 13. Pads for the stove-top manufactured prior to 1980 14. Items used for insulation for wood-burning stoves or furnaces such as paper, cement sheets or millboard 15. Asbestos blankets or tape around boilers, furnace ducts and steam pipes 16. Resilient floor tiles made of rubber, asphalt or vinyl 17. Vinyl sheet flooring 18. Adhesives used to install floor tiles 19. Electrical cloth 20. Electrical panel partitions 21. Flexible duct connectors 22. Asbestos felt used for roofing and flooring applications 23. Textiles like blankets and ropes 24. Vintage clothing 25. Brake pads and lining on older cars 26. Cigarette filters 27. Old hairdryers 28. Fireproofing materials 29. Small appliances made before the 1980s such as toasters, coffee pots, popcorn poppers, crock pots and irons 30. Portable heaters 31. Portable dishwashers 32. Old crayons 33. Talc products like cosmetics, feminine hygiene items and baby powder 34. Vermiculite, which is an ingredient in pesticides, composts, potting mixes and fertilizers 35. HVAC duct insulation 36. Heating and electrical ducts 37. Chalkboards 38. Carpets 39. Vinyl wall coverings 40. Caulk and putties The presence of any of these items in a home is not necessarily harmful if the items are in good repair. However, those that are crumbling certainly pose a risk to the home's occupants. Additionally, any projects that will involve sawing, cutting, sanding, removing or otherwise tampering with these items will cause dangerous exposure to asbestos. Homeowners are encouraged to contact an asbestos removal company to test for and remove asbestos-based products. Infographic: Common Household products and items potentially containing asbestos   Want to share this image on your site? Just copy and paste the embed code below: 40 Common Household Items Containing Asbestos, courtesy of Bo Kauffmann, REALTOR