What is the Merewether report? This report actually summed up the results of an intense investigation in the 1920s which examined 360 asbestos-textile workers. Due to the results published in the Merewether report, many regulations were introduced for the manufacture of asbestos products.
Did you know that some people who develop malignant mesothelioma don’t show symptoms for 30 to 50 years after exposure? Remember, the asbestos you have us remove from your office building today could be safeguarding the health of generations of workers.
Asbestos became a popular material with the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century. The first commercial asbestos mines began to show up in the late 1800s, as entrepreneurs recognized that asbestos could possibly make them rich.
The last thing any employer wants is for their staff to suffer workplace-related health problems. When having to move your employees to a new building, it is critical to have the place checked for the presence of asbestos.
Interestingly, the first asbestos mines were located in Greece on the island of Ewoia around the first century A.D. However, the Greco-Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted a strong recurrence in many of the mine workers that he called the "sickness of the lungs."
While asbestos is no longer considered a common or safe building material, it wasn’t officially banned until 1999. That means that any structure built before then has the potential to contain this potentially toxic building material.
Many building and insulating materials contain asbestos, but unless the materials are labeled, it’s difficult to know if asbestos is present. Modern testing methods can assess levels of asbestos found in air samples as well as samples of specific building materials.
While asbestos has rightfully received a bad reputation, did you know that the material itself isn't all that harmful? It only becomes dangerous once dust and fibers from it are released into the air and are breathed in by people.
One of the reasons that asbestos needs highly specialized processes for removal is that its fibers are microscopically fine and, when disturbed, can linger in the air for days. When inhaled they can cause deadly lung diseases and other problems.
We recognize that not everyone has experience with the health conditions that asbestos can cause. Rather than putting yourself at risk by attempting to remove asbestos yourself, always turn to a professional to ensure it’s done the right way.
Asbestos Quiz: Q: What should you do if you decide not to remove asbestos from your home? A) Seal it; B) Cover it; C) Either of the above. A: "C." Seal asbestos to coat it, or wrap it up.
Asbestos was used in the manufacture of many fabrics, especially for products that required heat and fire protection. It could be found in ironing board covers, draperies, awnings, mailbags, aprons, theater curtains, and fire safety garments and blankets.
Electrical wirng used asbestos in its composition, especially fabric-based wire covers. It may still be present in older homes and buildings, even if the structure’s electrical system has been upgraded. If remodeling or renovating, though, it needs to be removed by a professional service.
You probably know that asbestos isn’t a good thing, but have you ever wondered what asbestos actually is? Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that’s actually gotten by mining it from rock. It’s thin, strong, and fire-resistant, but can shred and lead to breathing trouble.
Asbestos becomes dangerous in a building or structure when the fibers can potentially be dislodged or loosened and then inhaled. It’s a good idea to have your home tested to ensure that you and your family are not at risk.
If you are remodeling a room in your home that has linoleum or similar material floor tiles that were manufactured and installed before 1990, they were probably made with asbestos. They need to be safely removed and properly disposed.
Asbestos cannot simply be removed. It must be removed using careful procedures that keep released fibers contained and that protect the workers. As the asbestos is removed, it must be safely transported to a disposal site.
Class H vacuum cleaners can be safely used when cleaning up and removing asbestos, as they are able to remove particles and fibers without expelling the asbestos back into the room.
Can you list some of the asbestos-related cancerous diseases? Well, they include Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, and Laryngeal cancer. Lung cancer claims the most lives of all asbestos-related diseases.
Is there any risk to people in neighboring houses during asbestos removal? No, the risk from exposure to asbestos in a non-work setting is low.
Several scientific studies have linked asbestos exposure to many cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Unfortunately, more than 2 million tons of asbestos is still used each year throughout the world.
Asbestos is dangerous because of the long, needle=like fibers that can become airborne, be inhaled, and lodge in the lungs. Over time, continued exposure to asbestos, especially exposed asbestos, can cause lung cancer and other deadly health problems.
Asbestos removers are trained experts who know how to inspect homes for asbestos, take samples, and judge the condition of the asbestos-containing materials and whether they pose a threat.
Asbestos attacks more than the lungs. It can affect any open or exposed areas like the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and sores and wounds. Only properly prepared removal experts can safely remove the material.
