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What is Asbestos? |
Asbestos – a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant.
Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength.
The three most common types of asbestos are:
a) chrysotile, b) amosite
and c) crocidolite. Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos and a member of the Serpentine
mineral group is the commonest. Asbestos can only be identified under a microscope.
Asbestos differs from other minerals in its crystal development. The crystal formation of
asbestos is in the form of long thin fibers. Asbestos is divided into two mineral groups ---
Serpentine and Amphibole. The division between the two types of asbestos is based upon the
crystalline structure. Serpentines have a sheet or layered structure where amphiboles have a
chain-like structure. As the only member of the serpentine group, Chrysotile is the most
common type of asbestos found in buildings. Chrysotile makes up approximately 90%-95% of all
asbestos contained in buildings in the United States.
In the amphibole group, there are five types of asbestos. As an acronym for the Asbestos Mines of
South Africa, Amosite is the second most prevalent type of asbestos found in building materials.
Amosite is also known as "brown asbestos." Next, there is Crocidolite or "blue asbestos," which is
an asbestos found in specialized high temperature applications. The other three types
(Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite) are rare and found mainly as contaminants in other
minerals. Asbestos deposits can be found throughout the world and are still mined in Australia,
Canada, South Africa, and the former Soviet Union.
EPA and CPSC have banned several asbestos products. Manufacturers have also voluntarily limited uses of asbestos. Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles.
Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur after asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those homes.
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Where can Asbestos be found? |
Do you have asbestos?
Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, thermal insulation, fire proofing and in other
building materials. Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them
resistant to heat. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos. Most of these are
materials used in heat and acoustic insulation, fire proofing, and roofing and flooring. Some of the
more common products that may contain asbestos include:
- Cement Pipes
- Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops
- Elevator Brake Shoes
- Cement Wallboard
- Laboratory Gloves
- HVAC Duct Insulation
- Cement Siding
- Fire Blankets
- Boiler Insulation
- Asphalt Floor Tile
- Fire Curtains
- Breaching Insulation
- Vinyl Floor Tile
- Elevator Equipment Panels
- Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections
- Vinyl Sheet Flooring
- Caulking/Putties
- Cooling Towers
- Flooring Backing
- Adhesives
- Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
- Wallboard
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- Heating and Electrical Ducts
- Acoustical Plaster
- Joint Compounds
- Vinyl Wall Coverings
- Decorative Plaster
- Spackling Compounds
- High Temperature Gaskets
- Textured Paints/Coatings
- Roofing Shingles
- Roofing Felt
- Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
- Base Flashing
- Thermal Paper Products
- Spray-Applied Insulation
- Fire Doors
- Electrical Cloth
- Blown-in Insulation
- Electrical Panel Partitions
- Fireproofing Materials
- Taping Compounds (thermal)
- Packing Materials (forwall/floor penetrations)
- Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
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| Why is asbestos a hazard? |
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed.
These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause
significant health problems. Researchers still have not determined a "safe level" of exposure but
we know the greater and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos
related disease. Some of these health problems include:
a) Asbestosis - a lung disease first found in naval shipyard workers. As asbestos
fibers are inhaled, they may become trapped in the lung tissue. The body tries to
dissolve the fibers by producing an acid. This acid, due to the chemical resistance
of the fiber, does little to damage the fiber, but may scar the surrounding tissue.
Eventually, this scarring may become so severe that the lungs cannot function. The
latency period (meaning the time it takes for the disease to become developed) is
often 25-40 years.
b) Mesothelioma - a cancer of the pleura (the outer lining of the lung and chest
cavity) and/or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal wall). This form of
cancer is peculiar because the only known cause is from asbestos exposure. The
latency period for mesothelioma is often 15-30 years.
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| What are the health affects of Asbestos? |
No immediate symptoms, but long-term risk of chest and abdominal cancers and lung diseases. Smokers are at higher risk of developing asbestos-induced lung cancer. Integrated Risk Information System description on Asbestos - http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0371.htm#I.A. (Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number - 1332-21-4).
The most dangerous asbestos fibers are too small to be visible. After they are inhaled, they can remain and accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), and asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure began.
Most people with asbestos-related diseases were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job; some developed disease from exposure to clothing and equipment brought home from job sites.
Asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good
condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and periodic surveillance performed to monitor
its condition. It is only when asbestos containing materials (ACM) are disturbed or the materials
become damaged that it becomes a hazard. When the materials become damaged, the fibers
separate and may then become airborne. In the asbestos industry, the term ‘friable’ is used to
describe asbestos that can be reduced to dust by hand pressure. ‘Non-friable’ means asbestos that
is too hard to be reduce to dust by hand. Non-friable materials, such as transite siding and floor
tiles are not regulated provided it does not become friable. Machine grinding, sanding and
dry-buffing are ways of causing non-friable materials to become friable.
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What are the steps I can take to help reduce exposure? |
If you think your home may have
asbestos, don't panic!
Usually it is best to leave asbestos
material that is in good condition alone. Generally, material in good
condition will not release asbestos fiber. There is no danger unless
fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs.
Do not cut, rip, or sand
asbestos-containing materials.
Leave undamaged materials alone and, to the
extent possible, prevent them from being damaged, disturbed, or touched.
Periodically inspect for damage or deterioration. Discard damaged or
worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers. Check
with local health, environmental, or other appropriate officials to find
out about proper handling and disposal procedures. If asbestos material
is more than slightly damaged, or if you are going to make changes in
your home that might disturb it, repair or removal by a professional is
needed. Before you have your house remodeled, find out whether asbestos
materials are present.
When you need to remove or clean up
asbestos, use a professionally trained contractor.
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Who can I call to report a suspected asbestos violation? | |
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What Are Asbestos Do's And Don'ts For The Homeowner? |
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Do keep activities
to a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may
contain asbestos.
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Do take every
precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material.
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Do have removal
and major repair done by people trained and qualified in
handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling
and minor repair also be done by asbestos professionals.
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Don't dust, sweep,
or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
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Don't saw, sand,
scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials.
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Don't use abrasive
pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos
flooring. Never use a power stripper on a dry floor.
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Don't sand or
try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos
flooring needs replacing, install new floorcovering over
it, if possible.
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Don't track material
that could contain asbestos through the house. If you cannot
avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet
mop. If the material is from a damaged area, or if a large
area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional.
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Major repairs must be
done only by a professional trained in methods for safely handling asbestos, like Arizona Asbestos Removal Inc .
Minor repairs should
also be done by professionals since there is always a risk of exposure
to fibers when asbestos is disturbed.
Doing minor repairs yourself
is not recommended since improper handling of asbestos materials can create
a hazard where none existed. If you nevertheless choose to do minor repairs,
you should have as much information as possible on the handling of asbestos
before doing anything. Contact your state or local health department or
regional EPA office for information about asbestos training programs in
your area. Your local school district may also have information about
asbestos professionals and training programs for school buildings. Even
if you have completed a training program, do not try anything more than
minor repairs. Before undertaking minor repairs, carefully examine the
area around the damage to make sure it is stable. As a general matter,
any damaged area which is bigger than the size of your hand is not a minor
repair.
Before undertaking minor
repairs, be sure to follow all the precautions described earlier for sampling
asbestos material. Always wet the asbestos material using a fine mist
of water containing a few drops of detergent. Commercial products designed
to fill holes and seal damaged areas are available. Small areas of material
such as pipe insulation can be covered by wrapping a special fabric, such
as rewettable glass cloth, around it. These products are available from
stores (listed in the telephone directory under Safety Equipment and Clothing")
which specialize in asbestos materials and safety items.
REMOVAL is usually the
most expensive method and, unless required by state or local regulations,
should be the last option considered in most situations. This is because
removal poses the greatest risk of fiber release. However, removal may
be required when remodeling or making major changes to your home that
will disturb asbestos material. Also, removal may be called for if asbestos
material is damaged extensively and cannot be otherwise repaired. Removal
is complex and must be done only by a contractor with special training.
Improper removal may actually increase the health risks to you and your
family.
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What other sites can I visit for more asbestos information? |
| Address |
Description |
| www.asbestosnews.com |
Asbestos Exposure Information - Informational site reviewing the hazards
of asbestos exposure and the various forms of cancer such as mesothelioma it causes.
Resources for contacting a lawyer specializing in asbestos exposure are available.
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