Asbestos Exposure & How You Can Prevent It
Most of what you’ve probably heard about asbestos is related to work environments. But asbestos has been used in many of the things still around us today—things we wouldn’t even guess contain it. Over time, government agencies determined that asbestos was associated with severe health complications for those exposed to it. While people began to take the health hazards of exposure to asbestos more seriously in the late 70s to mid-80s, people that have been exposed are still dealing with the ramifications.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the name for a group of thin, needle-like mineral fibers that occur naturally in rock and soil. There are six types, all of which are soft and flexible and resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. It is also an effective insulator. These characteristics make asbestos ideal for use in construction materials and as a fire retardant. It has also been used in things such as building materials, paper products, vehicle brakes and clutches, and insulation for pipes.
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
The same characteristics that make asbestos useful also make it dangerous. The microscopic asbestos fibers can’t be smelled, tasted, or seen, so it’s hard to know if you’ve been exposed to it. When you are exposed to asbestos, the fibers become trapped in your body. Over time, these fibers cause inflammation, scarring, and eventually genetic damage to the body’s cells. Asbestos can lead to numerous types of diseases and illnesses, some of which are hard to recover from. Because of this, the mineral fibers are now recognized as a health hazard and regulated by both OSHA and the EPA.
While no asbestos exposure is safe, being exposed to asbestos one time isn’t likely to cause issues. The problems occur when you’re exposed on a regular basis, over a long period of time, or to an intense concentration. With each exposure, the level of asbestos in your body accumulates, as it has no way to leave. Right now, there is no way to reverse the damage this causes.
How Can You Be Exposed to Asbestos?
Many people know that it’s possible to be exposed to asbestos in old buildings where it was used. However, because asbestos is not banned in the United States, you can still be exposed to it anywhere it is used. Specific products that may still contain asbestos are listed on the EPA’s website and include some of the following examples:
- Heat-resistant fabrics
- Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves
- Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesives used
- Roofing and siding shingles
- Attic and wall insulation that contains vermiculite
- Textured paint and patching compounds found on walls and ceilings
- Pipes covered with heat-resistant material
Are You At Risk?
Today, most cases of asbestos-related diseases are found in men older than 60. This is because the diseases associated with asbestos exposure take time to develop. However, they do typically trace back to workplace exposure in jobs more often held by men. Jobs with high-asbestos exposure risk include construction, electrical, firefighting, military, mining, shipbuilding, and more.
According to CDC statistics, 1.3 million Americans still deal with exposure to asbestos in the workplace, although they have more rights to protection than they used to. Secondhand exposure also affects the family members of these workers. If your home was built before 1980, doing a renovation project on your home where demolition work is involved may expose you to asbestos. And, simply living near asbestos-contaminated areas can put you at risk.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
The best way to protect yourself from asbestos-related diseases is to avoid exposure to asbestos. In the workplace, however, avoiding high-risk jobs may be impossible. Still, there are regulations put in place now to help. The EPA has been working to protect Americans from the hazards associated with exposure to asbestos, including banning certain asbestos-containing products and materials and the use of these products in the future.
At home, it may be smart to think about hiring someone to do an asbestos inspection and getting them to remove any found. Some other safety precautions to use in order to avoid exposure include:
- Sealing off any renovation work area with plastic sheets
- Turning on air conditioners when working
- Wearing a mask, disposable coveralls, and gloves during debris handling
- Using a HEPA filter when cleaning
- Disposing of any potentially asbestos-containing waste safely
Prevent Asbestos Exposure with Asbestos Project Management
Fortunately, it is predicted that cases of asbestos-related diseases will drop in the future. This is because the population that had the most exposure to asbestos before awareness and regulation increased has either already developed issues or was never exposed enough for them to occur. Asbestos is not out of our lives, but it will hopefully not be as much of a safety issue. We now know more about the effects and dangers of this material we once relied on so much.
At Asbestos Project Management, we specialize in asbestos inspections and removal. Our licensed and insured team has been working with Chicagoland area property owners for over three decades. Our certified OSHA, IEPA and IDPH team works hard to ensure the health and safety of your family. We want to help you and your loved ones steer clear of asbestos and prevent exposure. If you believe you may have asbestos in your home, contact us today for an estimate.
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