Is this asbestos?

Just bought a CHB 1972 33’ trawler with Ford Lehman 120 engine and after mooching around in the engine bay I noticed this heat wrap around my exhaust. Considering the boat is from the early 1970’s I’m wondering if this is possibly asbestos related? Kinda concerned as I wanted to replace the exhaust elbow as per American diesel’s recommendations and this would involve having to peel back some of this covering potentially disturbing whatever material this is!
See attached pic.
Any advice from you helpful folk would be greatly appreciated especially if you have seen or currently have this kind of heat shield?

scottwillshaw said:

Just bought a CHB 1972 33’ trawler with Ford Lehman 120 engine and after mooching around in the engine bay I noticed this heat wrap around my exhaust. Considering the boat is from the early 1970’s I’m wondering if this is possibly asbestos related? Kinda concerned as I wanted to replace the exhaust elbow as per American diesel’s recommendations and this would involve having to peel back some of this covering potentially disturbing whatever material this is!
See attached pic.
Any advice from you helpful folk would be greatly appreciated especially if you have seen or currently have this kind of heat shield?

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I for sure don’t know.
Never heard of an asbestos issue on a 70s rec boat. Did have one in my 1925 house. Removed myself, carefully. But cheaply. Not cheap if you call an asbestos analysis and abatement crew. How old are you? It can be deadly to breathe a bunch of, but it takes like 30 years. Good luck!

NWboater2 said:

I for sure don’t know.
Never heard of an asbestos issue on a 70s rec boat. Did have one in my 1925 house. Removed myself, carefully. But cheaply. Not cheap if you call an asbestos analysis and abatement crew. How old are you? It can be deadly to breathe a bunch of, but it takes like 30 years. Good luck!

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How’s your breathing now? I’m 36 so I’m trying to avoid getting asbestosis in my 60’s!
I’m a merchant seafarer by trade and I’ve heard of older 60’s/70’s era commercial vessels containing asbestos bulkheads/linings etc. not sure if that crossed over into the recreational sector or not?
thought I’d reach out to you kind folk see if anyone had seen something similar on their own boats. Whatever heat wrap this is it certainly looks old enough to be original manufacturer supplied maybe?!

I seem to remember rare cases of mesothelioma 10 years after exposure, don`t be too sure of the 30 year lead time theory.
Australia was a world leader in asbestos production, use, and deaths. We had/have a specialist Dust Diseases Tribunal hearing claims by the afflicted, sometimes on their deathbed It`s not long since we acquired trains and ferries from Asia which came with asbestos in them, so I would not be confident it wasn`t used in the 1970s. When in doubt, get it tested by experts. Fortunately, it looks fairly encapsulated

Get a piece of it tested. Not very expensive and sure is better than breathing it in if it is asbestos. Then if it is get a pro to remove it. Should not be very expensive since it is relatively small area.

Comodave said:

Get a piece of it tested. Not very expensive and sure is better than breathing it in if it is asbestos. Then if it is get a pro to remove it. Should not be very expensive since it is relatively small area.

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Not very expensive? Didn't you live in California once?

Before bringing Weebles to Ensenada from San Francisco, I realized my diesel was ancient - smelled like linseed oil and was brownish. I had about 80 gals that I wanted pumped out and disposed of. Hazardous waste which required all sorts of precautions not just white suits with ventilators, but special escort transport and very expensive disposal. Was over $4000!!!!.

I ended up diluting with fresh diesel and triple-dose of Stanadyne. My ancient Perkins digested it without a murmur.

OP - it might be asbestos, but the asbestos I've seen on old plumbing pipes is pretty deteriorated and shredded - doesn't have much structure left to it. I don't think it's a particularly strong material when used in applications like this. But still, have it tested. As far as disposal, I won't touch a suggestion except to say it's most dangerous when dry and airborne.

Peter

Amazon sells a test kit for $35. I don’t think that is expensive enough to possibly save your lungs from asbestos. Once you know if it is or isn’t asbestos then you can make an informed decision as to how to deal with it.

When we moved back to Michigan from Arizona I had the fuel tank pumped out because it had ethanol gas in it. In Arizona we boated all year so the ethanol gas didn’t sit long enough to go bad. But in Michigan the boat is in storage for about 6 months so the ethanol would go bad and separate. It cost me $10 per gallon to get rid of the gas that I had already spent money buying. But it was still cheaper to pay to get rid of 60 gallons than to run the bad gas and then have to repair the engine.

Whether or not it is asbestos it is time for a new heat wrap anyway. Having dealt with asbestos removal protocols in the past I’ll just say it is pretty simple to remove it safely and correctly? That said go to a few internet sites and you’ll find that a good respirator, full hood, disposable gloves and clothes are standard issue for guys that do this for a living.

Be careful broadcasting your concerns since you live in CA, you could get your vessel declared hazardous waste.

Shipyard workers and commercial insulators spent years in confined areas with airborne fibers so thick you could see the light reflecting off them as they hang in the air. Not minimizing mesothelioma, just describing the working conditions that caused it.
If you see a hardcast plaster like substance with glass like fibers on the tapered ends that's probably hot. If the main section is composed of a grey corrugated paper like material under the canvas wrap that's probably hot. if it's yellow it's high temp fiberglass, not an issue. Either way the small section you are dealing with and the short time involved if using proper protection doesn't really present much risk.
Abatement companies use a method called "Glove Bagging" for a section like that if it is indeed asbestos.
Basically they wear a good cartridge respirator, long gloves, wrap it completely with a clear trash bag big enough to put a hand in, cut it lengthwise and remove it wrapping it up as they remove their hand. Spray the area with a commercial version of Aqua Net hair spray to knock down any airborne particles and vacuum the area with a hepa vac.
Just a description of the process not advocating any action.

Retired plumber, had training in removal of asbestos insulation in conjunction with replacement of boilers in vintage steam heating systems. You can do sections yourself safely, use a respirator rated for asbestos, gloves, tyvek coveralls. Wet the material with a spray bottle of water with a small amount of dawn to reduce surface tension. The key is to not disturb the asbestos so it becomes friable. The particles can remain airborne almost indefinitely, so NO DUST! NO SHOP VAC, as it creates conditions for maximum spread. Wet it generously, gently remove it into a trash bag, double bag it, and if possible, dispose of it at a location that accepts asbestos. It may have changed, but we could dispose of small amounts double bagged in the trash. Check.

Just FWIW, we did encounter situations where the entire boiler was covered in asbestos and deteriorating, friable. Those change outs we called in the abatement teams, had the customer contract for the removal of the material and did our work after the removal was complete. Messy stuff, not to be trifled with.

Maerin said:

NO SHOP VAC

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As far as I know there are vacuum setups approved for asbestos abatement use (adequate multi-stage filtering, ability to remove the filters without spreading particulate, etc.). But you definitely can't just use whatever shop vac you have around.

Comodave said:

Amazon sells a test kit for $35. I don’t think that is expensive enough to possibly save your lungs from asbestos. Once you know if it is or isn’t asbestos then you can make an informed decision as to how to deal with it.

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That is useful. Even lab tests here were not super expensive, maybe $65 AUD. If you DIY it, how do you dispose, it can`t go out in the weekly trash. Maybe there is a municipal facility, but there might be questions about origin etc. Is DIY removal lawful there?

I am certainly not an expert on asbestos but I do know that if it were me I would want to know for sure that it is or isn’t asbestos. Then you can make an informed decision not just guessing. If it isn’t asbestos then $35 is nothing. If it is then I would contact a professional and see what they advise. Then at least you know what the risks are. I had a good friend that died from asbestos, it wasn’t a good ending.

An update for all you good peeps. I ended up taking a sample to my local testing laboratory, it cost an eye watering $165 but did include a 24 hour turnaround and to be honest can’t really put a price on knowing wether or not I’ll be safe handling it!
Turns out it was completely free from asbestos looks like the composition was mostly glass fibre … phew
Now I can get to chopping it back to replace that exhaust elbow.
Many thanks to all you that responded I appreciate all the advice
Cheers
Scott

That is good news.