1 Asbestos Awareness WAMOA Asbestos Training June Eric E. Dickson, CIEC Educational Service District 101 (509)

2 Topics Covered What is asbestos? What are/were its uses? Why is asbestos hazardous to your health? Owner’s Responsibility. It’s back! What to watch for.

3 Properties of Asbestos Asbestos ore Naturally occurring fibrous minerals Image courtesy of EMSL Analytical, Inc. Westmont, NJ Good tensile strength Flexibility Heat resistance Electrical resistance Good insulation Chemical resistance

4 Common Types of Asbestos Chrysotile “White Asbestos” Amosite “Brown Asbestos” Crocidolite “Blue Asbestos” Chrysotile sample Amosite Crocidolite

Chrysotile fibers 5

6 Other Types of Asbestos Tremolite –Libby, MT Vermiculite Mine Actinolite Anthophyllite Tremolite Tremolite & Actinolite photos by Rod Nave, Georgia State University Actinolite Anthophyllite samples

Asbestos under PLM microscope Chrysotile Crocidolite Amosite 7

Quebec asbestos mine – 1890s 8

Women removing fibers 9

Bagging room 10

Historic Uses of Asbestos First recorded use in 3000 BC –Pottery and chinking found in log homes in Scandinavia Written documentation early Roman Empire 2500 BC Asbestos – Greek for “Inextinguishable or indestructible” Ancient Uses: flame retardant cloth, textiles, table cloths (cleaned in fire) 11

Historic uses (cont’d) Romans used it in building materials –Said to “afford protection against spells, particularly of the Magi.” Medieval times used in suits of armor Near end of 19 th century use increased –Building materials, insulation, brake linings, textiles, etc. Heaviest use – 1940s thru 1970s 12

Asbestos fire suit 13

Uses? – ok, maybe not! 14

15 General Uses of Asbestos Thermal system insulation Reinforcement of materials Surfacing materials Fireproofing Acoustic and decorative plaster Textiles Insulated pipe system in boiler rooms Cement asbestos board (CAB)

16 General Uses of Asbestos (cont.) Friction materials Asphalt and vinyl felts Papers and adhesives Flooring and roofing materials Filters, sealants, caulk, and gaskets Clutch facing and brake lining Vinyl flooring

Asbestos Products – 1950s 17

1950s Asbestos Products (cont.) 18

19 Surfacing Material Acoustical Fireproofing

Thermal System Insulation 20

Bad idea?? 21 Rope gasket to tie door open, ack!!!

Miscellaneous Materials 22

23 Vermiculite Used as insulation in attics and walls. Is not an asbestos containing material by itself. Naturally occurring asbestos is mined with the vermiculite. Becomes part of the “package”. Asbestos fibers sift to the bottom of the insulation over time.

24 Vermiculite Vermiculite ore Vermiculite “popped” Vermiculite insulation in attic

25 Vermiculite Samples often contain a “trace” or less than 1% asbestos. Still must use certified asbestos workers to abate, or Must conduct a “Negative Exposure Assessment” to ensure no exposure above the PEL. –Must wear proper PPE until NEA has been determined (i.e. HEPA respirator, which means you must have a respirator program).

26 Some Asbestos-Containing Materials (NOTE: This list does not include every product/material that may contain asbestos. It is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain asbestos.) Cement Pipes Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations) Electrical Panel Partitions Cement WallboardHigh Temperature GasketsElectrical Cloth Cement SidingLaboratory Hoods/Table TopsElectric Wiring Insulation Asphalt Floor TileLaboratory GlovesChalkboards Vinyl Floor TileFire BlanketsRoofing Shingles Vinyl Sheet FlooringFire CurtainsRoofing Felt Flooring BackingElevator Equipment PanelsBase Flashing Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.) Elevator Brake ShoesThermal Paper Products Acoustical PlasterHVAC Duct InsulationFire Doors Decorative PlasterBoiler InsulationCaulking/Putties Textured Paints/CoatingsBreaching InsulationAdhesives Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections Wallboard Spray-Applied InsulationCooling TowersJoint Compounds Blown-in Insulation Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.) Vinyl Wall Coverings Fireproofing MaterialsHeating and Electrical DuctsSpackling Compounds Taping Compounds (thermal)

27 “PACM” Presumed (or assumed) Asbestos Containing Material Material must be handled as if it is ACM (unless proved otherwise)

28 Why is Asbestos Hazardous? Physical disturbance of ACM suspends fibers in the air Respirable fibers are inhaled and deposited in the lungs Body’s defense mechanisms cannot break down the fibers Fibers cause damage to respiratory system Airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled deep into the lung and cause damage.

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Early Hazard Recognition Roman times - Noted workers in early asbestos mines had many health problems Pliny the Elder recommended quarry slaves from asbestos mines not be bought because “they die young”. 1910s and 20s doctors began noting associations with disease and asbestos exposure. 1970s EPA and OSHA began regulating asbestos. 30

31 Asbestos-Related Diseases Asbestosis Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Other Cancers –Esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, stomach, colon, kidney

32 70 per 100,000 in general population Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Risks +

Asbestos cigarette filters 1952 – Readers’ Digest article “Cancer by the Carton” about filterless cigarettes Kent cigarettes introduced Micronite filter to make a ‘safe cigarette’. –Marketed as the “greatest health protection in cigarette history”. Made with crimped crepe paper and crocidolite to provide heat resistance and filtration. Manufactured and sold

Cigarette filter w crocidolite 34

35 RCW — DOSH RCW — Asbestos Safety Act WAC — Occupational Health WAC — Asbestos Certification, Training WAC — Construction Safety Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (DOSH)

36 AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act ) NESHAPS (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) –Washington State Department of Ecology –Local Air Pollution Authorities (SRCAA) –Washington State Department of Health, Local Health Jurisdictions Environmental Regulations (EPA)

37 Building/Facility Owners Determine presence, location, and quantity of ACM/PACM; inform employers and employees who may be impacted Have “Good Faith” Inspection done before any construction/maintenance work or bidding. –Assume as asbestos –Statement from owner or owner’s agent reasonably certain asbestos will not be disturbed Responsibilities

Good Faith – inside walls! 38

Bathroom remodel 39

ACM ceiling material & lights 40

Carpet removal projects 41

Boilers too - gaskets! 42

43 Asbestos is back! … NAFTA allowed free trade without restrictions. –CAFTA did the same thing! Comes from Canada, Mexico, others. Flooring, roofing, sheetrock, etc.

44 Check Product Labels “Non asbestos” or “asbestos free” If it contains asbestos, label may read: –Chrysotile (or chrysotile fibers) –Mineral fibers –Natural fibers

Check the label 45

Check labels 46

Jump thru all your hoops with enthusiasm!! Questions, concerns?? 47