EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS

Asbestos is a very dangerous substance to inhale. That's why many companies hire professionals to remove asbestos from their workplace. Asbestos is so dangerous because the fibers that form asbestos can cause cancers such as mesothelioma, as well as other diseases. The danger in asbestos is when the material breaks down or open and the fibers become airborne. Unfortunately, dangerous exposure the asbestos can occur when even just a trace amount of fibers for a minute amount of time is present in the environment. Even then, the symptoms of trouble might not show for up to 40 years.

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.

However, if you have concerns or suspect that your home may have asbestos, you can contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to locate licensed or certified techniques where you live who can check the home for problems and if found, remove it. In addition, the EPA will usually recommend that you contact a separate firm to have them conduct an assessment to ensure there are no conflicts with the 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.

If you are buying a home from a private seller, by law, they are required to disclose any known hazards to you, which would include asbestos. Apartment complexes built prior to 1970 commonly have materials that include asbestos. Keep in mind that while it might be a scary thought of living where asbestos exists, remember, until the product with the asbestos breaks down or opens, the asbestos is not a health risk.

OSHA issued standards in 1995 for testing, maintenance, and disclosure of asbestos for the workplace. However, rental property is also categorized under this ruling, meaning that property owners arerequired to disclose to potential renters any existing asbestos. With that information, you can make the determination of living there orlooking at other rental properly.

About the Author

Joseph Amiante is the webmaster and operator of Asbestos Pain, a web site which focuses on asbestos issues. For more information, go to: http://www.asbestospain.com

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