Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that has been widely used in many construction materials. Many buildings built before the mid 1980’s were constructed with asbestos containing materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, roof shingles, gaskets, paint, cement, and acoustical, electrical wire and pipe insulation. 

 

Asbestos is well known for being heat, chemical and fire resistant. Exposure to asbestos is also well known for causing several diseases, the most serious being mesothelioma, a malignant cancer.   Because asbestos inhalation can cause serious and fatal illnesses, many uses have been banned in the United States and other industrialized countries. Despite current bans and regulations, construction workers and firefighters have a high risk of being exposed during maintenance, remodeling, demolition, or responding to fires of an old building.    Particular construction trades at high risk are: 

 

Asbestos becomes a health hazard when it is in ‘friable’ condition, easily crumbled or pulverized to powder by hand when dry. Many types of acoustical ceiling tiles, floor tiles, plasters, wallboards, joint compounds, and pipe insulations can be in a friable condition if damaged or disturbed over time or during renovations.  

 

Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye. When friable, they are inhaled and then lodge in the lungs, causing scarring or cancer. Symptoms of asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer can take decades to develop from first time of exposure.   All kinds of asbestos in building products can give you diseases, and there is no safe level of exposure. 

 

If your house was built before 1980 and you suspect asbestos, take precaution.   You or your contractor and workers should use proper protection. OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have a list of guidelines aimed to ensure safety against exposure to asbestos. One such requirement is to use vacuum cleaners, fans, and respirators specifically designed for asbestos removal. 

 

Fanquip, a large manufacturer and supplier of industrial fans, has developed a new fan technology designed to remove asbestos contaminated particles and other airborne toxins. The Fanquip Negative Air Filter Fan is designed to be used by certified asbestos abatement professionals to keep them safe and ensure proper removal of carcinogenic materials.    Following EPA and OSHA standards along with use of new technology, such as Fanquip, when removing or repairing asbestos containing material are essential to creating a clean and safe working environment.