Asbestos Awareness
WAMOA Asbestos Training
June 2013
-----------------------------------Eric E. Dickson, CIEC
Educational Service District 101
(509) 789-3518
[email protected]
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Topics Covered
• What is asbestos?
• What are/were its uses?
• Why is asbestos hazardous to
your health?
• Owner’s Responsibility.
• It’s back! What to watch for.
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Properties of Asbestos
• Naturally occurring fibrous minerals
• Good tensile
strength
• Flexibility
• Heat resistance
• Electrical
Asbestos ore
resistance
• Good insulation
• Chemical
resistance
Image courtesy of EMSL Analytical,
Inc. Westmont, NJ
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Common Types of Asbestos
• Chrysotile
“White Asbestos”
Chrysotile sample
• Amosite
“Brown Asbestos”
Amosite
• Crocidolite
“Blue Asbestos”
Crocidolite
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Chrysotile fibers
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Tremolite & Actinolite photos by
Rod Nave, Georgia State University
Other Types of Asbestos
• Tremolite
– Libby, MT
Vermiculite Mine
• Actinolite
Tremolite
Actinolite
• Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite
samples
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Asbestos under PLM microscope
Chrysotile
Crocidolite
Amosite
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Quebec asbestos mine – 1890s
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Women removing fibers
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Bagging room
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Historic Uses of Asbestos
• First recorded use in 3000 BC
– Pottery and chinking found in log homes
in Scandinavia
• Written documentation early Roman
Empire 2500 BC
• Asbestos – Greek for “Inextinguishable or
indestructible”
• Ancient Uses: flame retardant cloth,
textiles, table cloths (cleaned in fire)
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Historic uses (cont’d)
• Romans used it in building materials
– Said to “afford protection against spells,
particularly of the Magi.”
• Medieval times used in suits of armor
• Near end of 19th century use increased
– Building materials, insulation, brake
linings, textiles, etc.
• Heaviest use – 1940s thru 1970s
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Asbestos fire suit
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Uses? – ok, maybe not!
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General Uses of Asbestos
Insulated pipe
system in
boiler rooms
• Thermal system
insulation
• Reinforcement of
materials
• Surfacing materials
Cement asbestos board (CAB)
• Fireproofing
• Acoustic and
decorative plaster
• Textiles
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General Uses of Asbestos
(cont.)
• Friction materials
• Asphalt and vinyl
felts
• Papers and
Clutch facing and brake lining
adhesives
• Flooring and
roofing materials
• Filters, sealants,
caulk, and gaskets
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Vinyl flooring
Asbestos Products – 1950s
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1950s Asbestos Products (cont.)
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Surfacing Material
Fireproofing
Fireproofing
Acoustical
Acoustical
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Thermal System Insulation
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Bad idea??
• Rope gasket to tie door open, ack!!!
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Miscellaneous Materials
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Vermiculite
• Used as insulation in attics and walls.
• Is not an asbestos containing material
by itself.
• Naturally occurring asbestos is mined
with the vermiculite.
• Becomes part of the “package”.
• Asbestos fibers sift to the bottom of the
insulation over time.
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Vermiculite
Vermiculite ore
Vermiculite “popped”
Vermiculite insulation in attic
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Vermiculite
• Samples often contain a “trace” or less
than 1% asbestos.
• Still must use certified asbestos workers
to abate, or
• Must conduct a “Negative Exposure
Assessment” to ensure no exposure
above the PEL.
– Must wear proper PPE until NEA has
been determined (i.e. HEPA respirator,
which means you must have a respirator
program).
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Some Asbestos-Containing Materials
(NOTE: This list does not include every product/material that may contain asbestos. It is
intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain asbestos.)
Cement Pipes
Packing Materials (for wall/floor
penetrations)
Electrical Panel Partitions
Cement Wallboard
High Temperature Gaskets
Electrical Cloth
Cement Siding
Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops
Electric Wiring Insulation
Asphalt Floor Tile
Laboratory Gloves
Chalkboards
Vinyl Floor Tile
Fire Blankets
Roofing Shingles
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Fire Curtains
Roofing Felt
Flooring Backing
Elevator Equipment Panels
Base Flashing
Construction Mastics (floor tile,
carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
Elevator Brake Shoes
Thermal Paper Products
Acoustical Plaster
HVAC Duct Insulation
Fire Doors
Decorative Plaster
Boiler Insulation
Caulking/Putties
Textured Paints/Coatings
Breaching Insulation
Adhesives
Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
Ductwork Flexible Fabric
Connections
Wallboard
Spray-Applied Insulation
Cooling Towers
Joint Compounds
Blown-in Insulation
Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell,
block, etc.)
Vinyl Wall Coverings
Fireproofing Materials
Heating and Electrical Ducts
Spackling Compounds
Taping Compounds (thermal)
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“PACM”
Presumed (or assumed) Asbestos
Containing Material
Material must be handled as if
it is ACM
(unless proved otherwise)
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Why is Asbestos Hazardous?
Airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled deep
into the lung and cause damage.
• Physical disturbance of
ACM suspends fibers in
the air
• Respirable fibers are
inhaled and deposited
in the lungs
• Body’s defense
mechanisms cannot
break down the fibers
• Fibers cause damage
to respiratory system
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Early Hazard Recognition
• Roman times - Noted workers in early
asbestos mines had many health
problems
• Pliny the Elder recommended quarry
slaves from asbestos mines not be
bought because “they die young”.
• 1910s and 20s doctors began noting
associations with disease and asbestos
exposure.
• 1970s EPA and OSHA began regulating
asbestos.
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Asbestos-Related Diseases
• Asbestosis
• Mesothelioma
• Lung Cancer
• Other Cancers
– Esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, stomach,
colon, kidney
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• Lung Cancer
Risk Multiplier
Lung Cancer Risks
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
+
No Exposure
Asbestos
Smoking
Asbestos +
Smoking
70 per 100,000 in general population
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Asbestos cigarette filters
• 1952 – Readers’ Digest article “Cancer
by the Carton” about filterless cigarettes
• Kent cigarettes introduced Micronite
filter to make a ‘safe cigarette’.
– Marketed as the “greatest health
protection in cigarette history”.
• Made with crimped crepe paper and
crocidolite to provide heat resistance
and filtration.
• Manufactured and sold 1952-1956.
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Cigarette filter w crocidolite
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Occupational Safety and Health
Regulations (DOSH)
• RCW 49.17 — DOSH
• RCW 49.26 — Asbestos
Safety Act
• WAC 296-62 —
Occupational Health
• WAC 296-65 —
Asbestos Certification,
Training
• WAC 296-155 —
Construction Safety
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Environmental Regulations
(EPA)
• AHERA (Asbestos Hazard
Emergency Response Act )
• NESHAPS (National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants)
– Washington State Department of Ecology
– Local Air Pollution Authorities (SRCAA)
– Washington State Department of Health,
Local Health Jurisdictions
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Building/Facility Owners
Responsibilities
• Determine presence, location, and
quantity of ACM/PACM; inform
employers and employees who may be
impacted
• Have “Good Faith” Inspection done
before any construction/maintenance
work or bidding.
– Assume as asbestos
– Statement from owner or owner’s agent
reasonably certain asbestos will not be
disturbed
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Good Faith – inside walls!
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Bathroom remodel
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ACM ceiling material & lights
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Carpet removal projects
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Boilers too - gaskets!
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Asbestos is back! … #@*&$!
• NAFTA allowed free trade without
restrictions.
– CAFTA did the same thing!
• Comes from Canada, Mexico, others.
• Flooring, roofing, sheetrock, etc.
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Check Product Labels
• “Non asbestos” or “asbestos free”
• If it contains asbestos, label may read:
– Chrysotile (or chrysotile fibers)
– Mineral fibers
– Natural fibers
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Check the label
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Check labels
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Jump thru all your hoops with
enthusiasm!!
Questions, concerns??
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