5 Asbestos Testing FAQs

Jan 8
15:43

2012

Aloysius Aucoin

Aloysius Aucoin

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Why is asbestos testing important? Simply put, the lives of those who work or live in an asbestos-ridden area are at risk.

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Asbestos testing can help homeowners and business owners alike to ascertain the risks of dangerous exposure for those living and working within any given building. While many people know that this chemical compound can be dangerous,5 Asbestos Testing FAQs Articles few know exactly what it is, where it can be found, how it's limited, and how it can be dangerous, and who is affected by exposure to it.

1. What is it?

"Asbestos" refers to a fibrous bundle of naturally occurring minerals. Because its threads are durable, nonconductive, and heat- and flame-resistant, it has been used extensively, throughout the years. As silicate compounds, their molecules contain both silicon and oxygen. The two basic types of minerals include serpentine and chrysotile, the latter of which is used most often, commercially.

2. Where is it found?

Since the late nineteenth century, North American mines have produced this mineral for commercial use. Its popularity peaked during the second World War and began being used for many key applications in major industries:

• Building and Construction—roofing and insulation
• Shipbuilding—insulating boilers and hot water pipes
• Automotive—clutch pads and brake shoes

It's also been used for floor and ceiling tiles, adhesives, paints, and plastics, as well as some garden products and even some crayons.

3. How is its use limited?

As the dangers connected to this mineral began to be understood, government agencies such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While all new uses were banned in the late 1980s, former uses were allowed to continue. School systems became required to have asbestos testing performed, followed by the removal or encasing of affected areas.

Voluntary discontinuation of this mineral has been embraced by manufacturers of products in which the risks have not been high enough to require regulation. As a result of both required and voluntary limitations, the amount of the mineral used in 2005 was only about 0.25% of what it was in 1973.

4. How is it dangerous?

Exposure can come in any building in which asbestos-containing products are disturbed. When the tiny fibers of the mineral become airborne and are inhaled, they can become trapped in the lungs. In time, the accumulated fibers can result in scarring and inflammation, causing breathing problems and other health risks.

Classified as a cancer-causing substance, or carcinogen, the presence of this mineral has been documented to increase risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

5. Who is affected?

While everyone is exposed to some levels of this mineral, most of that exposure poses no danger. However, some are at risk: those exposed to it on a regular basis through working directly with materials containing the mineral or frequenting an environment in which they regularly have contact with it. For those who are regularly exposed, even members of their households have a heightened risk of lung cancer.

To find out more about whether your business or home is putting you or others at risk, asbestos testing is a helpful first step.

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