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Asbestos
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a generic name given to a fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used for decades in the development of thousands of commercial products. The term asbestos is not a mineralogical definition but a commercial name given to a group of minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. Asbestos poses no physical danger while bonded in products, it is when the products that bond the asbestos fibers become damaged and release Asbestos into the air that asbestos becomes a significant health hazard.
How many products have asbestos?
According to the National Cancer Institute, up to 5,000 consumer products contained asbestos, including small appliances, hair dryers, and building materials ( National Cancer Institute, Cancer Facts ). Many of these products are still in use, posing serious exposure risks when they are handled, repaired or damaged.
What are the main uses of asbestos?
Asbestos fibers are fireproof, and do not conduct heat or electricity. Because asbestos does not conduct heat well and is resistant to melting or burning, asbestos was used widely in all types of construction products up to the mid-1970s. Products made with asbestos, such as insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials, were designed principally to contain heat and sound.
How are people exposed to asbestos?
People are exposed to asbestos in many ways. Many people work directly with products containing asbestos and are put at risk when the asbestos flakes and dust or asbestos particles are released into the air and inhaled.
Who can be affected by asbestos?
Even people that do not work with asbestos can be at risk of exposure and eventual mesothelioma. People that work around asbestos can inadvertently bring the particles home with them on their clothes and expose loved ones to the harmful asbestos fibers. Further, because of asbestos' heat resistant qualities, it was used in thousands of consumer products.
What workers are at risk of exposure to asbestos?
General industry employees may be exposed to asbestos during the manufacture of asbestos-containing products or when performing brake and clutch repairs. In the construction industry, exposure occurs when workers disturb asbestos-containing materials during the renovation or demolition of buildings. Employees in the maritime environment also may be exposed when renovating or demolishing ships constructed with asbestos-containing materials. In addition, custodial workers may be exposed through contact with deteriorating asbestos-containing materials in buildings.
History of asbestos
Asbestos has been known to man for centuries and has been used in literally hundreds of products. Asbestos was used because it is strong, insulates well, and resists fire and corrosion. The ancient Greeks used asbestos in their cloth and the Romans used it in their building materials. Common modern uses are as thermal pipe and boiler insulation, spray-applied fire proofing and sound proofing, floor coverings, ceiling tiles, roofing materials and "transite" pipe and sheeting.
In the United States , asbestos became popular in the early 1900s and its use peaked during WWII into the 1970s. While use of asbestos is not banned by legislation, it is not commonly used by American manufacturers anymore due to health concerns and liability issues. However, there is a strong international market, so imported materials may contain asbestos.
During the late 1960s, evidence emerged indicating that asbestos fibers were a dangerous health risk and by the 1970's, the federal government began to take action. During the 1980's, the concern regarding asbestos resulted in the new industry of asbestos abatement.
Are there different types of asbestos?
The term "asbestos" describes six naturally occurring fibrous minerals, namely chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophylitte and actinolite. When mined and processed, asbestos is typically separated into very thin bundles of fibers and then commonly mixed with a binder during processing.
Today, only one of the types of asbestos is used: chrysotile. In addition, the industry now only markets dense and non-friable materials in which the chrysotile fibre is encapsulated in a matrix of either cement or resin. These modern products include chrysotile-cement building materials, friction materials, gaskets and certain plastics.
Is asbestos still legal?
Most Americans don't know that asbestos remains a legal ingredient in more than 3000 products in the United States . Tens of thousands of tons of asbestos are unknowingly consumed in household products each year. No governmental labeling is required, notwithstanding the lethal nature of the product.
How is asbestos made?
Asbestos is a generic name given to a fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used for decades in the development of thousands of commercial products. The term asbestos is not a mineralogical definition but a commercial name given to a group of minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance.
How do I dispose of asbestos?
Asbestos disposal should be left to professionals. Often, the asbestos items must be treated as hazardous waste and local governments can require permits for disposal. Consult your phone book for local asbestos removal companies.
Asbestos and insulation
Asbestos fibers are fireproof, and do not conduct heat or electricity. Because asbestos does not conduct heat well and is resistant to melting or burning, asbestos was used widely in all types of construction products up to the mid-1970s. Products made with asbestos, such as insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials, were designed principally to contain heat and sound.
My father worked around asbestos, could I have been exposed to asbestos?
Even people that do not work with asbestos can be at risk of exposure and eventual mesothelioma. People that work around asbestos can inadvertently bring the particles home with them on their clothes and expose loved ones to the harmful asbestos fibers.
Are household items that contain asbestos safe?
Asbestos is harmful when it breaks apart from solid form and creates dust and airborne fibers. If the asbestos is in a solid state, then it presents less risk. However, you take on some level of risk by having it in your house because of the POSSIBILITY that some portion of it could come loose.
Is the asbestos insulation covering the pipes in my basement safe?
In many older houses you can still find asbestos coating around the pipes to serve as insulation. The asbestos coating does not present risk unless particles flake off and become airborne.
How much does it cost to remove asbestos from my home?
The costs associated with asbestos removal vary based on the size of the project, the amount of asbestos being removed, and the time required to perform the removal. Asbestos removal costs should include air quality sampling and waste disposal. The cost to remove asbestos can be higher or lower based on how complicated the project is.
How do I pick an asbestos removal company?
The asbestos removal contractor should be able to provide you with several references. You should select at least three of the references you would like to contact. Ask former customers if they were satisfied with the work and whether or not the asbestos removal was completed as planned.
If asbestos is so dangerous, why do they still make it?
Asbestos is a natural occurring material mined on six continents. It is prized for its ability to add strength and heat resistance to a variety of materials. Asbestos dust has caused tragic rates of cancer in miners and workers who made and installed asbestos products with insufficient precautions. The workers inhaled asbestos fibers, often for years or decades. But once products with asbestos are installed, so few fibers are released that the air inside even the most asbestos-rich building is indistinguishable from the air outdoors.
Asbestos
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