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ASBESTOS EXPOSURE ISSUES

By: Joseph Amainte Asbestos is composed of fibers that can cause life threatening illness, such as mesothelioma (a cancer), among others. Many companies are being proactive and having asbestos removed before it can harm someone. It can live safely behind walls or ceilings, but as soon as any fibers escape, people may inhale them and become ill. It only takes a tiny amount ingested into the lungs. Unfortunately, the symptoms may not be visible for as long as 40 years, so it’s difficult to prevent getting sick from an unknown source.

In general people come into contact with asbestos where they are employed or live. There are other dangerous places, however. Anyone living or working near a shipyard, steel mill, power plant, or refinery is at risk for asbestos exposure. Once again, the asbestos fibers break loose from where they’ve been hidden, and since they are airborne, they easily travel to neighborhoods that are close by. Other industrial sites that often have asbestos on site are maritime, building, car repair, especially brake or clutch work, roofing and railways.

Asbestos isn’t just found in business and industry. Before the 1970s, asbestos was used to insulate schools and residences. Some estimates put asbestos use prior to those years at 30 million tons in the US alone.

Okay, so how can you make sure you are safe in your own home? First, remember that buying a home, and even one built prior to 1970 does not mean asbestos is a problem. Most people that come down with asbestos related health problems worked in industries where asbestos was prevalent, not from exposure at home. In addition, remember that the majority of people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not become ill.

If you have any fear at all that you may have asbestos in your home, call the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They will tell you how to find qualified technicians to come and examine your house. In the case that asbestos is found, they will help you get rid of it. The EPA will also have you get a separate risk assessment to confirm or dispute their finding.

If you plan on building a home always check the materials used carefully to see if they are labeled free of asbestos. Until you verify that each product is safe, contact the product manufacturer to find out exactly what is contained in each product.

When you purchase a home from a private seller, the seller is required by law to disclose any known hazards to you, including asbestos. Apartment buildings built prior to 1970 may have materials that include asbestos in their construction. Remember that asbestos only becomes truly dangerous when the product breaks down or opens, until then it is not a health risk.

In 1995 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set guidelines for asbestos discovery and follow-up in work environments. Any time it’s found, employees must be notified. The same applies to rental units. If your potential landlord informs you of existing asbestos, it will be your choice to live there or not.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Joseph Amiante provides a range of resources at his web site: Asbestos Pain, where you will find information that will help you on many asbestos related issues. Why not take a look: www.asbestospain.com

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