When asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are disturbed or manipulated, microscopic fibers become airborne. When inhaled, these fibers damage lungs and cause non-malignant diseases like asbestosis and pleural effusions or malignant conditions such as mesothelioma.
Construction workers and those who work around older buildings risk secondhand exposure by bringing asbestos dust home on their hair and clothes. This exposes family members and can result in mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Insulation
Insulation was one of the most common uses of asbestos in homes and commercial buildings. The fibrous nature of the mineral made it an ideal insulator, creating a barrier between high-energy areas and anything living or powered by electricity. This was a crucial safety feature, particularly in older houses that used gas-powered heating systems. In addition, asbestos was often used as insulation for pipes in steam and hot water tanks or boilers.
This was largely due to the fact that it was cheap, strong and fire resistant. Throughout the Industrial Revolution, it was mined in large quantities and put into use in construction materials including ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, sprayed coatings, and boilers.
Because it was so widely used, asbestos can still be found in a wide variety of building products. Older textured paints may contain asbestos, as do some patching compounds and wall and ceiling joint tapes. Some woodburning stove pads also contain asbestos.
People who worked in the asbestos industry face a significant risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. This is because when friable (crumbly) asbestos is disturbed, microscopic fibers are released into the air. They can be inhaled or ingested, posing a serious health threat. It is important to hire a professional to remove asbestos. Make sure they wear disposable gloves and shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers. Also, ask the professionals to wet the material with a fine mist of water and detergent before sampling. Wet asbestos does not float in the air as easily and will release much less of its toxic substance.
Fireproofing
Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to a variety of health issues, including non-malignant lung diseases like asbestosis and pleural effusions and malignant conditions like mesothelioma. While asbestos has been used in the past to create fireproofing materials, these building constructions are now being replaced with safer alternatives.
Asbestos has been a popular construction material for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations recognized its fire-resistant properties and used it for cloth weaving, insulation, and even embalming. The industrial revolution brought on a massive growth in asbestos production, which saw it added to everything from ship brakes to building insulation.
Despite being banned in 1989 due to health concerns, asbestos remains in millions of homes and workplaces. It is a vapor-permeable mineral that is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. It can be found in 30 million American homes and other buildings, where it often serves as attic insulation. Additionally, asbestos is still a common component of auto parts, exposing car mechanics and their families to exposure.
While there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, it is generally not considered a health risk when the materials are in good condition and left undisturbed. The problem arises when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, releasing tiny, airborne fibers that can be inhaled. This is why it is important to hire experienced professionals for any work that could potentially disturb asbestos.
Sound Absorbing
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral with high sound absorption properties. It was commonly used in homes and buildings for insulation. Unfortunately, it’s also been linked to several diseases, including mesothelioma. Fortunately, asbestos has been banned from new construction materials. But many older houses and buildings still contain asbestos, which needs to be handled carefully.
Various building renovation and maintenance activities can release respirable asbestos fibres into the air. For example, sanding or scraping floor tile, cement sheet or millboard, repairing door seals on furnaces and woodburning stoves, drilling, sawing or sanding insulation, and cutting or tearing drywall can all release asbestos fibres into the air.
Whenever you’re doing any work on your home or business, you should check for asbestos before starting. Any material or product that may contain asbestos should be tested by a licensed professional before being disturbed. This is because asbestos-containing materials can release deadly fibres into the air.
Durability
Asbestos minerals are bundles of thin, durable fibers that are resistant to heat and fire. They also do not conduct electricity and are very lightweight.
Because of its unique properties, asbestos was used in thousands of different building materials and products before it was banned in the 1980s. While buildings built after the ban may not contain asbestos, many older homes still have the material in them.
The most common asbestos products include insulating cement, joint packing, siding panels and textured paints. These materials will not release fibers unless they are sawed, scraped or damaged. Unfortunately, construction workers are the most at risk of exposure to asbestos. This exposure puts them at higher risk of mesothelioma and other respiratory issues.
If you think your home or business contains asbestos, have it tested before disturbing it. A professional can use a special air sampler to test for the presence of asbestos. The resulting test results will help you decide the best course of action. A reputable asbestos laboratory can be found on the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program website.
The simplest way to manage asbestos is to leave it alone if it is in good condition and will not be disturbed. Any materials containing asbestos should be regularly inspected and kept in good repair. The owner or manager of any non-domestic property has a legal duty to record the location and condition of any asbestos on their premises. This information must be made available to anyone carrying out work that could disturb it.