asbestos ?
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a
naturally occurring mineral that differs from other minerals in its
crystal development. The crystal
formation of asbestos is in the form of long thin fibers. Because
certain varieties do not burn, do not conduct heat
or electricity and are often resistant to chemicals, they are used
for making fireproof materials, electrical insulation,
roofing and filters.
Its primary use is as an insulator or
fire retardant, but it can also be used as a binder. Due to this
versatility,
asbestos can be found in many building materials. Even though the
federal government placed a moratorium on the
production of most asbestos products in the early 1970s, installation of
these products continued through the
late ’70s and even into the early ’80s. Unfortunately, this miracle
fiber has been shown to be a health hazard after
prolonged exposure.
Several diseases are associated
with exposure to asbestos, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung
cancer and
other asbestos-related cancers. These are serious, debilitating
diseases that often end in death.
click to find out more
To cause disease, asbestos fibers must be inhaled into the lungs.
The lung is a system of branching airways that
end in tiny air sacs, call alveoli. There are about 300 million of
these in the lungs. It is from these air sacs that
oxygen from inhaled air enters the bloodstream. This is also where
inhaled asbestos fibers do their damage.
However, only those fibers within a certain size range can gain
access to the lung alveoli. Fibers that can enter
the lung and cause disease are too small to be visible to the naked
eye.
It is not clear how asbestos fibers cause disease after they enter
the lung. For each disease there is a period of
latency, usually more than ten years, between first exposure to
asbestos and the appearance of the disease. It is
this characteristic that makes asbestos disease so insidious;
exposure can continue for many years without any
outward evidence of harm while disease develops silently within.
Asbestos can be harmless if left
undisturbed. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure is often encountered
during
restoration, remodeling or repair. It’s imperative that asbestos be
controlled, contained and eliminated properly.
It is not clear how asbestos fibers cause disease after they enter
the lung. For each disease there is a period of
latency, usually more than ten years, between first exposure to
asbestos and the appearance of the disease. It is
this characteristic that makes asbestos disease so insidious;
exposure can continue for many years without any
outward evidence of harm while disease develops silently within.
Asbestos can be harmless if
left undisturbed. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure is often
encountered during
restoration, remodeling or repair. It’s imperative that asbestos be
controlled, contained and eliminated properly
Where do we find it?
Found in many
structures built before 1980, asbestos is often discovered during
renovation or remodeling. Although
a homeowner is not required to remove it, the presence of asbestos
may create a hazard if exposed, and removal may
be necessary to eliminate this danger.
Commercial property owners are required to remove asbestos where
exposed and/or poses a
hazard.
|
