Asbestos
Information
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks, of naturally occurring
silicate minerals that can be separated into fibers. There
are several kinds of asbestos fibers, all of which are fire
resistant and not easily destroyed or degraded by natural
processes. The fibers are strong, durable, and resistant to
heat and fire. They are also long, thin and flexible, so that
they can even be woven into cloth, because of these qualities,
asbestos has been used in thousands of consumer, industrial,
maritime, automotive, scientific and building products.
During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons of asbestos
have been used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards
and commercial buildings in the United States. There are several
types of asbestos fibers, of which three have been used for
commercial applications: (1) Chrysotile, or white asbestos,
comes mainly from Canada, and has been very widely used in
the US. It is white-gray in color and found in serpentine
rock. (2) Amosite, or brown asbestos, comes from southern
Africa. (3) Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, comes from southern
Africa and Australia.
Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos has been shown to cause cancer of the lung and stomach
according to studies of workers and others exposed to asbestos.
There is no level of exposure to asbestos fibers that experts
can assure is completely safe. Some asbestos materials can
break into small fibers which can float in the air and these
fibers can be inhaled. The tiny fibers are so small they can
not be seen with the naked eye. They can pass through the
filters of normal vacuum cleaners and get back into the air.
Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can become lodged in tissue
for a long time. After many years cancer or mesothelioma can
develop.
Are All products With Asbestos A Health Risk?
No. A health risk exists only when asbestos fibers are released
from the material or product. Soft, easily crumbled asbestos
containing material has the greatest potential for asbestos
release and therefore has the greatest potential to create
health risks.
Do All People Exposed To Asbestos, Develop Asbestos Related
Disease?
No. Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not
develop any related health problems. Health studies of asbestos
workers and others, however, show that the chances of developing
some serious illnesses, included lung cancer, are greater
after exposure to asbestos.
What Are Asbestos-Containing Products?
What is common to many asbestos-containing products is that
they were (are) used to contain heat (i.e. thermal insulation.)
This was the main reason for their use. It is impossible to
list all of the products that have, at one time or another,
contained asbestos. One of the most common products asbestos
is found in, is in the insulation material found on heating
pipes and ducts of homes built before 1960.
Some of the other common asbestos-containi ng products are
insulating cement, insulating block, asbestos cloth, gaskets,
packing materials, thermal seals, refractory and boiler insulation
materials, transite board, asbestos cement pipe, fireproofing
spray, joint compound, vinyl floor tile, ceiling tile, mastics,
adhesives, coatings, acoustical textures, duct & pipe
insulation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems, roofing products, insulated electrical wire and panels,
and brake and clutch assemblies.
How Can I tell If I Have Asbestos In My Home?
People who have frequently worked with asbestos (such as plumbers,
building contractors or heating contractors) often are able
to make a reasonable judgment about whether or not a material
contains asbestos on a visual inspection. Many professional
home inspectors also can make a reasonable visual judgment.
To be absolutely certain, an industrial hygienist would have
to make the identification.
If Asbestos Is Found In My Home, What Should I Do?
In most cases, asbestos containing materials are best left
alone. When it is necessary to disturb asbestos, you should
contact a licensed asbestos contractor. You can also obtain
a copy of Asbestos in the Home published by the U.S. Consumer
Products Safety Commission (800-638-2772) which discusses
the situation and makes recommendations. Remember, do not
dust, sweep, or vacuum particles suspected of containing asbestos
fibers.
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