asbestos solutions

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First, the wiring does not pose a hazard to you or your family unless you choose to touch a hot wire. The asbestos in electrical wiring insulation is generally behind walls, in circuit boxes or running through joists in a manner that it is minimally disrupted. Further, it is probably coated so that any fiber around the wire itself cannot be exposed to air. To verify whether there is asbestos on the insulation, a small sample could be taken from the end of a de-energized wire and delivered to a local analytical lab that does polarized light microsocpy (PLM).

If you find the wiring contains asbestos insulation, prior to doing renovation or any re-wiring, evaluate the condition of the wire and its potential to generate dust from the activities you will do. If a potential for dust exists, it should be minor. Hanging a suspended ceiling for example will not release from the wire, but pulling out old runs and replacing wire may. Simply protect yourself by wearing a HEPA cartidge respirator, and prevent dust from migrating through the house (as you should anyway) by hanging plastic over door entries and ventilating the space. If an electrician is brought in to do work, disclose relevant information so he can take appropriate steps.

The hazard from this source of asbestos is quite low and is probably an irrelevant risk for adults due to latency of any possible effects. Common sense dictates that if you are doing a project that might release fiber, you should minimize access of children to the work area.

The wiring and asbestos will not break down, but insulation jacketing (outside cover) may deteriorate over time. If you find there is significant asbestos content, and judge that the wiring is in poor condition and can release fiber, post back and I will give you some suggestions. There are encapsulants specifically designed to address this issue on electric circuits. Chances are, you don't have a problem.