Asbestos and Health

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conduct Abatement if Needed n n Hire contractor: u u To select: F F Precise contract F F Check references F F Interview F F Insurance F F Best, not low bid

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

OSHA Standard n n Applies if over maximum exposure n n Maximum of 0.2 fibers per cc of air (8 hour) n n Maximum of 1 fiber per cc (30 minute) n n Exposure monitoring if above action level (0.1 fiber per cc) n n Engineering controls where feasible n n Proper respirators

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