Although microscopic asbestos fibers but extremely durable and resistant to fire and collapse. For this reason Asbestos was used for many years in a number of different commercial and industrial capacity. Because of its strength and resistance to heat and its ability to electrical insulation and extreme resistance to chemicals and asbestos used in roofing shingles and floor tiles and cement compounds, textile products, and auto parts.
Why is asbestos hazardous materials?
Asbestos use was discontinued at the end of 1970 after it emerged it is a threat to human health and the hundreds of thousands of people to the disease. Today asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen. Microscopic asbestos fibers about 0.02 of the diameter of a human hair so these fibers are inhaled easily and when inhaled cling fiber in respiratory not easily expelled.
Studies suggest that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of certain types of lung cancers. However, if properly attached asbestos fibers into the product, there is no significant health risks. Potential danger occurs when asbestos fibers are disturbed, released into the air and inhaled then.
Who is at risk of exposure to asbestos?
There are a lot of professions affected by exposure to asbestos. Such as shipbuilding plants, manufacturing commercial products, and power plants, and construction. And workers who work in these industries before 1980 are likely faced asbestos products and be exposed to the dangers of asbestos. However not all inherently dangerous asbestos products. Because it must be inhaled asbestos represents a health risk, asbestos fibers loose or only those in the air supply pose a real threat. Asbestos stable compounds, such as cement sound, tiles, or other products do not pose a threat immediately. The exposure to asbestos fibers fragmentation is common when grinding, cutting, and demolition, or asbestos products retrofits. Each of these functions frees asbestos in the air show where they are easily inhaled it.
How can I determine asbestos in my home?
Very difficult to identify the elements that may contain asbestos in our homes by looking at them. The only way to make sure the presence of asbestos is to take a sample of the material and have it tested by a certified laboratory asbestos. If you suspect asbestos, the safest approach is to address the material as if it does not contain asbestos. It must be the first step to obtain a sample of the suspect material and have it analyzed in a laboratory accredited asbestos.
Precautions and instructions asbestos sampling
Wear once used NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) approved respirator (Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions) and wear gloves and protective clothing available.
Stop heating / cooling in the region to reduce the spread of any released fibers. Encircle the area as much as possible, making does not allow children and pets. And make sure
Put a sheet of plastic on the ground under the area where the sample is to be taken.
Use a small "zip-lock" bag to contain the sample. Bag must be clean and dry.
Before sampling, wet material for sampling with a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent (and this will reduce the release of asbestos fibers).
Using a clean knife, cut a small piece of material about 2 inches square and put it in a bag of zip lock. .
Close the bag tightly sample and scans the outer surface with a damp paper towel to remove any materials has joined the bag during sampling. Using a small piece of duct tape, and carefully make the patch to cover the cut-out area of the sample. This will prevent any fibers from being released.
Disposal of waste containing asbestos. Washing clothes and bathing separately after the completion of the work.
Definition of asbestos