Nowadays, polyester and fiberglass are used to strengthen this product. Before the 1980’s, the naturally occurring mineral known as asbestos was used to assure the tar paper’s durability. It was found both in the tar and the paper.
The main problem of tar paper was that it got extremely fragile as it aged. Not being a long-term solution, it meant that the workers disturbing it when it needed to be replaced were in danger of breathing in the loose asbestos fibers. You could have been exposed if:
- You worked directly with asbestos tar paper
- You helped manufacture asbestos containing tar paper
- You performed roofing work
- You helped manufacture turbines before the 1980’s