Asbestos An invisible Killer

1
Asbestos An invisible Killer
2
Asbestos is

• a strong and incombustible fiber widely used for
  fireproofing and insulation.
• a naturally occurring family of heterogeneous
  fibrous silicate minerals.
• chemically inert, non-conductive of heat or
  electricity, and without odor.
• mostly banned by the EPA.
• usually off-white and is mixed with other
  materials.

3
Health Risks

• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma a cancer of the chest and abdomen
  specific to Asbestos exposure
• Asbestosis causes chronic difficulty breathing
  from scar tissue in the lungs
• Pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and pleural
  effusions lesions, liquid and sores in the lungs

4
Disease Onset

• These symptoms/diseases do not show up for at
  least 20 30 years.
• Smoking greatly exacerbates the problem.
• Typically, chronic long-term exposure is required
  to cause problems.
• Short, minimal exposure will not normally cause
  health problems.

5
Possible Exposures

• Exposure to asbestos happens when the materials
  containing asbestos become friable, or easily
  crumbled
• Asbestos is light and can remain in the air for a
  relatively long period of time
• Sealing asbestos is often the best solution

6
Furnaces

• Damaged or disturbed gaskets around doors and
  pads under boilers release fiber when disturbed

7
Plumbing

• Older pipes with crumbly white canvas type wrap
  probably contain asbestos fibers
• Covering the existing pipes is often the best
  solution

8
Flooring

• Many old floors are safe until disturbed
• New vinyl floor tiles still contain a modest
  amount of asbestos

9
Ductwork

• As the duct or the duct tape deteriorates it
  slowly blows asbestos fibers into the home
• Re-taping can help in the short-term
• Must almost always be removed

10
Roofing and Siding

• Mixed in as an aggregate to add strength to
  cement based shingles and panels
• Becomes dangerous when removed or damaged

11
Insulation

• Blown in attic and wall cavities
• Activity in the area of the loose insulation
  should be kept to a minimum
• Time in the attic should be limited if the loose
  material is disturbed

12
Wiring

• Old wiring with white coating under crumbling
  black fabric
• Fibrous cloth coatings that are torn or
  deteriorating
• Often safer to leave wire in place and bypass
  with new wire

13
Other Exposures

• Fireplace Flaking artificial logs and ashes
  from before 1978
• Walls Can be released by sanding or demolition
  of textured paint or plaster installed before the
  1980s
• Laboratory Countertops Used as strengthener
  that can be released if counters are demolished
• Brake Pads Some brake pads still contain
  asbestos that is released when they grind against
  the rotor

14
What to do

• To find approved abatement techniques and
  equipment see OSHA 1926.1101Subpart Z - Toxic and
  Hazardous Substances
• A trained inspector should be consulted if there
  is a chance that asbestos will be encountered on
  a job-site
• It is best to have a certified asbestos abatement
  contractor remove the asbestos
• If you must disturb asbestos follow the
  recommended methods of remediation

15
Bibliography

• http//www.hometips.com/articles/asbestos4.html
• http//www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html
• http//www.helium.com/tm/45637/a-strong-and-incomb
  ustible-fiber-widely-used-in-the-past-for-fireproo
  fing-and-insulation-the-small-b
• http//osc.olathe.k12.ks.us/training/images/indust
  rialsand.jpgimgrefurlhttp//osc.olathe.k12.ks.us
  /training/ACBM
• http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//pics
  .davesgarden.com/pics/rabidhunter66_1181074743_174
  _tn.jpgimgrefurlhttp//davesgarden.com/community
  /forums/t/
• www.asbestosnetwork.com/asbestos/de_prod.htm
• Conversation with Dr. Hinze