Asbestos and Health Overview Background on asbestos n

Asbestos and Health

Overview Background on asbestos n Uses of asbestos n Health Effects n Risk factors n Medical tests n Proper handling n Standards/ guidelines n

What is Asbestos? n Mineral n Fibrous n White/grey n Indestructible n Fireproof

How Long Has it Been a Problem? Early Greek miners wore face masks from animal bladders n Insurers stopped selling insurance in 1915 n Cancer cases in 1930’s n Asbestos industry withheld information n Selikoff studies in 1960’s n Banning of some uses in 1980’s n

Uses of Asbestos n Fireproofing of buildings n Heat insulation n Strengthen building materials

Products that can contain asbestos n Spray insulation n Pipecovering n Asbestos cloth n Cements, mastic, sealants n Roofing materials n Floor & ceiling tiles n Plaster & taping compound

Hazards of Asbestos n Harmful only when breathed in (maybe when swallowed) n Fiber shape: long, thin n Travels in air, gets deep in lungs n Sharp shape gets stuck in lungs n Doesn’t break down

Asbestos Diseases n Asbestosis n Pleural Plaques n Cancer u. Lung u. Mesothelioma u. G-I Tract

Asbestos Diseases n No completely safe levels n Higher the exposure, higher the risk n Low exposures have low risk n Everyone exposed to asbestos n Lag time (latency) of 10 -40 years n No acute effects

Asbestosis n Not cancer Scarring of lungs n From high exposures n Causes shortness of breath n

Pleural Plaques Scars on lungs n Shows up on x-rays n Marker of asbestos exposure n Half of heavily exposed will have n “Not a disease”: no symptoms n Does not change into cancer n Legally considered a disease n

Lung cancer Most common problem with asbestos n Heavily exposed workers have 5 -7 times increased risk over lifetime n About same level of risk as a pack a day cigarette smoking n Interacts with cigarettes: 50 -90 times increased risk for both combined n Quitting smoking reduces risk n

Other Cancers n Mesothelioma u. Cancer of lining of the lungs u. Only caused by asbestos u. Smoking not a risk factor n G-I tract cancer u 2 -3 times increased risk for heavily exposed

Medical tests n Physical n History n X-rays n Lung function tests

What is Risk? Studies are from heavily exposed asbestos workers n Construction trades working with asbestos have 1/4 or less risk than asbestos workers n Chemical plant maintenance has about 1/8 n Other maintenance workers are much lower n Asbestos has been phased out & removed in many areas n

Safe handling of asbestos Find out where the asbestos is n Management plan n Remove if needed by licensed contractors n Only dangerous if is in the air n u Removal may be more dangerous than leaving u If is bound in material (tiles, etc) is not a hazard n Should be labeled if left in place

“Safe” handling of asbestos No absolutely safe exposure n Wet methods n HEPA vacuums and respirators n Never dry sweep or compressed air n Stays in air for days n Small fibers can’t be seen n “Friable” asbestos means it can be crumbled n

Maintenance & asbestos Do not drill, sand, or saw asbestos materials n Wet mop rather than dry sweep or dust n Do not use a regular vacuum: only HEPA n Do not disturb asbestos materials n If use a face mask, only HEPA n If are air filters, use wet methods, do not shake n

Training/ removal n Removal by certified contractors u Enclosures, ventilation, wet methods, HEPA u Glove bags, wetting agents, signs Encapsulation n Training needed based on level of exposure n Level 4 for clean up of asbestos containing materials n Proper disposal while still wet; labeled bags n

Regulations EPA regulations on removal n OSHA Standard for general industry or construction n State licensing for asbestos removal n Workers’ compensation n Reporting of suspected occupational diseases n

EPA: Control of Asbestos in Buildings Survey to see if asbestos is present n Operations and Management Program n Assess the asbestos n Abatement if needed n

Survey Appoint manager & team n Check building records n Locate & document all asbestos in records n Inspect for friable n Collect & test samples n Document n

Operations and Maintenance Contact building managers & maintainers n Educate employees and occupants n Train custodians/ maintainers n Clean using HEPA & wet methods; regular basis n Special precautions for construction work n Inspect twice a year n Continue program until all asbestos removed n

Assess Asbestos n Assess current conditions and chances of disturbance n Determine u. Need for further action u. When it needs to be done u. What abatement methods to use

Conduct Abatement if Needed n Hire u. To contractor: select: FPrecise contract FCheck references FInterview FInsurance FBest, not low bid

Managing Abatement Inspect 4 times a day u. Containment barrier u. Coveralls & respirators u. Changing & decontamination facilities n Stop work if problem n Release only when u. Cleaned at least twice u. Visual test u. Airborne asbestos test n

OSHA Standard Applies if over maximum exposure n Maximum of 0. 2 fibers per cc of air (8 hour) n Maximum of 1 fiber per cc (30 minute) n Exposure monitoring if above action level (0. 1 fiber per cc) n Engineering controls where feasible n Proper respirators n

OSHA Standard (2) n Regulated areas n Labels n Recordkeeping for 30 years n Protective clothing n Change rooms & showers n Medical Exams