Asbestos

ASBESTOS: THE MIRACLE FIBER

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that appears in a fibrous and fluffy form when separated from rock in the asbestos mining process. Its fibers are typically bound together with other minerals to form an indestructible package when undisturbed. The term asbestos is actually a name for a group of minerals that occur in a wide range of appearances. The only way to positively identify an asbestos fiber is through a microscope.

Its first recorded use was 2000 years ago by the Greeks as wicks in their temple lamps. Asbestos was considered a magical mineral because once ignited, it burned unceasingly without consuming the wick. They called the mineral "Asbesta" which meant "inextinguishable".

Large scale mining of asbestos began in about 1880 and 20 years later, the first death from asbestosis was recorded. The victim was a British textile worker.

Throughout the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s asbestos was internationally manufactured for a variety of products. Although there was some evidence of a potential health risk, extensive research was not completed until the late 1960’s – nearly 50 years after asbestos was first used in construction building materials. It was used through the late 1970’s for these reasons:

Protection from fire
Absorption of heat from friction
High tensile strength as a reinforcing material
Resistance to corrosion
Insulation from heat and cold
Insulation from noise

By 1978, the EPA had instituted a ban on virtually all asbestos-containing construction materials. Presently in California, materials that contain more than 1/10^th percent of asbestos are considered an asbestos-containing product and must be handled accordingly.

Left undisturbed, asbestos-containing materials usually do not create any health risks. However, as the product breaks down due to aging, frequent contact, or general remodeling activities, tiny particles may be released into the air and inhaled into the lungs. Medical studies have shown that excessive exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos is a significant health risk. Recent regulatory activity seems to indicate a wide-spread belief in the theory that there is no safe level of exposure. But studies are in progress that will likely demonstrate an extremely low risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases from minimal exposure to the majority of asbestos forms.

Asbestos fibers are microscopically small. Those which seem to be visible to the naked eye are actually threads of thousands of fibers – each hundreds of times smaller than a human hair. They are not readily trapped by mucous or nose hairs, and therefore can easily enter the lungs. Once in the lungs, asbestos fibers may lodge there and remain for life. Because the lung tissue is so delicate, and the tiny, sharp fibers are so indestructible, the body attempts to isolate the fibers by forming a shell of scar tissue around them. These scars grow and accumulate until the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.

Asbestos is commonly associated with the following diseases:

Asbestosis – A noncancerous, incurable respiratory disease that results from progressive scarring of the lung tissue caused by lodging of asbestos particles over a long period.

Mesothelioma – A rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen that is almost always associated with previous asbestos exposure, including low level, short duration exposure.

Lung Cancer – Inhaled asbestos particles act as a carcinogen when lodged in lung tissue.

In almost all cases, asbestos-related diseases are developed following a long latency period after exposure, often times up to 20 years or longer.

In addition to the amount and duration of exposure, other factors play a large role in the potential for developing disease, including fiber size and type, other pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) and individual susceptibility.

IS YOUR HOME SAFE?
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In many homes throughout southern California that were built before 1978, asbestos is likely to be present in one or more forms. In fact, it can be found in over 3,000 products ranging from household appliances to construction building materials.

Although its mere presence does not constitute a serious health hazard, unexpected contact during household remodeling projects may pose a significant risk.

ASBESTOS REMOVAL IN THE HOME

Asbestos is a microscopic fiber that has been bound together with other products in varying amounts to form a matrix that is usually not hazardous when left undisturbed. However, the process of removing the material can release asbestos fibers from the matrix. Conceivably, the fibers can remain airborne for days, so the task of removal should not be undertaken without a full understanding of the precautions that must be followed.

Through years of experience AQHI, INC. has developed a system of practices and procedures that are designed to:

Minimize fiber release during removal of the asbestos-containing material.

Isolate the specific location(s) of the home that will undergo asbestos abatement from other areas to prevent wide-spread contamination.

Filter the air within the work area to entrap fine asbestos particles and cleanse the air.

All work is completed in a timely and professional manner that meets or exceeds applicable state, federal and local regulations.

The following is a step-by-step outline of the procedures that are utilized on a typical project:

Doors, vents, windows and other air passageways are sealed with plastic sheeting and tape to eliminate migration of fibers to other locations within the home.

In cases of severe preexisting contamination, specific areas are pre-cleaned with high-efficiency vacuums.

Where feasible, the work area is isolated from other areas of the home inside an airtight enclosure that is created by securing plastic sheeting to all walls and floors with moisture resistant tape.

Utilizing a low-pressure water sprayer, the asbestos-containing material is moistened before and during removal to minimize airborne fiber levels.

Asbestos-containing materials are removed carefully and in small sections.

For personal protection, asbestos removal technicians wear disposable coveralls and particle-filtering respirators.

Air within the work area is continually filtered during asbestos removal operations by a specially equipped air filtration device that traps asbestos particles prior to exhausting air outside.

Contaminated debris is packaged into plastic bags that are sealed air-tight before leaving the work area.

Personnel, equipment and packaged debris are decontaminated prior to exiting the enclosure to insure that other areas of the home are not contaminated.

Packaged debris is manifested and delivered to a licensed hazardous waste landfill for burial.

When the work is finished a certificate of completion is provided to document that all work was completed in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

In some cases , an independent, certified asbestos consultant may be recommended to the owner for air clearance sampling and documentation.