1.   Many building materials such as lime mortars and plasters, Portland cement and asbestos cement develop alkalis.

2.   In some cases, the holes are made inside, particularly on brick and asbestos cement sided houses.

3.   Nailing will break up the asbestos cement, and could release asbestos fibers to the air.

4.   Q. My house has asbestos cement siding that has become stained under the windows, I think from rain washing over the aluminum storm windows.

5.   Then came asbestos cement, a good cover, but not pretty.

6.   Water that gets caught behind the vinyl or aluminum will take forever to dry out, and power-washing can release asbestos fibers from asbestos cement.

7.   When the asbestos cement is broken up, it constitutes a potential hazard if it is ever exposed.

8.   While removing asbestos cement shingles is very expensive, I think it is a better way to go before doing anything with the house.

9.   But it contends that other uses, such as incorporating the fibers into asbestos cement, are safe, and a total ban is therefore an unwarranted trade restriction.