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Asbestos is generic commercial name for a naturally occurring group of six different mineral fibers, ( amosite - which usually has brown fibers, chrysotile - white asbestos, crocidolite - blue asbestos, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite - usually has grey fibers), that exists in the environment. Asbestos minerals have separable long fibers that are strong and flexible enough to be spun and woven, (just like thin threads) and are heat resistant. In addition, these fibers are not affected by chemicals and do not conduct electricity. Because of these characteristics, asbestos has been commonly used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant.
Other area of usage are in friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), Some vermiculite-containing garden products and some talc containing crayons may have asbestos.
Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into microscopic size particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems. Persons occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including mesothlioma and lung cancer. Although the use of asbestos and asbestos products has dramatically decreased, they are still found in many residential and commercial settings and continue to pose a health risk to workers and others.
Microtech Workers Protect Themselves
Microtech's workers are required to follow regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job that have been issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, USEPA as well as other agencies), the Federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in maritime, construction, manufacturing, and service workplaces. Workers use all protective equipment provided by us and follow recommended work practices and safety procedures.
The mere presence of asbestos in a building may not be hazardous. The danger is that asbestos materials may become damaged over time. Damaged asbestos releases asbestos fibers and become a health hazard.
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Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
- Buildings built between 1920 and 1960 may have asbestos as insulation.
- Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
- Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
- Older products such as window and door caulking may have some asbestos compounds.
- Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
- Asbestos is found in vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
- Hot water and steam pipes may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
- Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.
- HVAC Equipment like cooling towers often have asbestos cement products.
What Should Be Done About Asbestos In Buildings?
If you think asbestos may be in your building, don't panic! Usually the best thing is to assess the condition of the asbestos material. Generally, material in very good condition will not release asbestos fibers. THERE IS NO DANGER unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs. Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don't touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release asbestos fibers. This is particularly true if you often disturb it by hitting, rubbing, or handling it, or if it is exposed to extreme vibration or air flow.
Sometimes, the best way to deal with slightly damaged material is to limit access to the area and not touch or disturb it. Major repairs and removal must be done only by a professional trained in methods for safely handling asbestos. Minor repairs and removals 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.
Removal is usually the most cost effective method and, should be considered in most situations. 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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Friable airborne asbestos, or asbestos that can be crumbled or broken by hand pressure, is of the most concern because these fibers can be released into the air more readily and inhaled into the lungs. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including:
- Asbestosis - is a serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause the tissues to scar. The scarring makes it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.
- Lung cancer - causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in the mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos, and those who use asbestos and its products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia. People who have been exposed to asbestos and also are exposed to some other cancer-causing product, such as cigarette smoke, have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than people who have only been exposed to asbestos.
- Mesothelioma - is a rare and deadly form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart and almost all cases are linked to exposure to airborne asbestos. This disease may not show up until many years after asbestos exposure. This is why great efforts are being made to prevent school children from being exposed. Every year, approximately 2,500 men and women are diagnosed with new cases of mesothelioma. This disease can hide in your lungs for a number of years before it's diagnosed. You are at risk of developing mesothelioma if you fit into one of the following categories:
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- Workers with direct contact and handling of asbestos
- Employees who worked in areas where asbestos was handled by others
- Family members of asbestos workers (fibers brought into the home on work clothing, skin hair or shoes). To decrease these exposures, people exposed to asbestos at work are required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace
- People who lived within one mile of an asbestos plant, shipyard or other source of asbestos
Who is Affected?
EVERYONE IS AFFECTED. Especially workers involved in the building trades, such as demolition ad insulation workers, drywall removers, plumbers, carpenters ad electricians and for anyone else who may come into contact with asbestos material during their work, for example, computer installers, cabling engineers and firefighters.
THE BEST THING TO DO WITH ASBESTOS MATERIAL IN GOOD CONDITION MAYBE TO LEAVE IT ALONE!
Generally, material in good codition will not release asbestos fibers. Try to prevent the material from being damaged, disturbed, or touched.
Periodically inspect the material for damage or deterioration. Damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers should be disposed of. Call our experts on how to properly handle and dispose of those materials.
The only way to tell if an object contains asbestos by looking at it is if the material is labeled. Otherwise, you should have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. Until you receive the results, treat the material as if it contains asbestos. Samples should be extracted only by qualified professionals. If improperly done, extracting samples can be more hazardous than leaving the material undisturbed.
If the asbestos material is damaged, or if you are going to make changes in your building that might disturb the asbestos, repair or removal by a professional is needed. Repair usually means either covering or sealing the asbestos material. Covering involves placing a protective wrap over or around the material that contains the asbestos to prevent the release of fibers. Sealing involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the material so fibers are not released. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, but may make it more difficult to remove later if the need arises.
Can I Do The Work Myself?
EPA recommends that when dealing with materials containing asbestos, whether it is to test, repair, or remove, you hire an asbestos professional to do the work for you. Improper handling of asbestos material can create more of a hazard than if it is left undisturbed. If you need to take corrective measures, you should use a different contractor than the one who tested for asbestos in order to avoid a conflict of interest. Additionally, your local or state government may require professional licensed handling of asbestos. Ask to see our licensing and credentials.
Asbestos professionals are trained in handling asbestos material. The type of professional will depend on the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the problem. You may hire a general asbestos contractor or, in some cases, a professional trained to handle specific products containing asbestos.
Asbestos professionals can conduct home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess its condition, and advise about what corrections are needed and who is qualified to make these corrections. Once again, material in good condition need not be sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. Professional correction or abatement contractors repair or remove asbestos materials.
Some firms offer combinations of testing, assessment, and correction. A professional hired to assess the need for corrective action should not be connected with an asbestos-correction firm. It is better to use two different firms so there is no conflict of interest. Services vary from one area to another around the country.
The federal government has training courses for asbestos professionals around the country. Some state and local governments also have or require training or certification courses. Ask asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal or state-approved training. Each person performing work in your home should provide proof of training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion of EPA-approved training. State and local health departments or EPA regional offices may have listings of licensed professionals in your area.
If you have a problem that requires the services of asbestos professionals, check their credentials carefully. Hire professionals who are trained, experienced, reputable, and accredited - especially if accreditation is required by state or local laws. Before hiring a professional, ask for references from previous clients. Find out if they were satisfied. Ask whether the professional has handled similar situations. Get cost estimates from several professionals, as the charges for these services can vary. |
