1. Living With Asbestos By
Note: You must be connected to the internet when you start this presentation. The video links can also be found on YouTube. Just do a search for “Don’t mess with asbestos” and view all three parts.
Let students know that we live with asbestos due to its extensive use over the course of history. That fact is important because we can’t just get rid of it. Disturbance is how the fibers are released into the air we breath.
This presentation will clear things up on what you should do to protect yourself and your family. a

2. Future generations will need this information to avoid exposures that lead to illness
Don't mess with asbestos ( Grades 6-12)
Part 2 (Grades 9-12)
Part 3 (Grades 9-12)
Teacher Notes: You must be connected to the internet to link to these videos.
Get student feedback after each video
Remind students that we can not go back and remove all the asbestos used
This is why we they need to know about it and where it can be found
Let students know that avoiding contact is preventing illness.

3. Why use Asbestos? DANGER ASBESTOS click now
Used in buildings, for example:
Why use Asbestos?
DANGER
ASBESTOS
Boilers
Ceiling tiles
Teacher notes: Click your mouse button for each image to appear.
Lead a discussion with students about why asbestos was once used.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material. It doesn’t burn, electricity and chemical damage, plus, it absorbs sound really well and is as strong as steel when being stretched. Asbestos is versatile and used extensively in America as building materials .
The three main types of asbestos that have been used commercially are:
blue (crocidolite)
brown (amosite)
white (chrysotile)
Usage began to decline in the 1970s as evidence about the harmful effects of asbestos were gradually better understood. The United States of America still uses asbestos. This means that asbestos-containing materials can still be found in any building or home, even new ones.
Here are some of its uses in the building trade –
Don’t forget about cars. Asbestos is still used in brakes and clutches as well as friction producing products.
Fire doors
Natural mineral
Soffit boards
Textured coatings
Cement sheeting
Resistant to heat, electricity and chemical damage
Sprayed coatings
Asbestos cement
boiler flue
Boards around
windows, fireplaces,
radiators etc.
Gaskets and sealants
on pipe joints
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4. DANGER ASBESTOS 294 people die from asbestos exposure
Teacher notes:
Asbestos is difficult to identify. You cannot tell by simply looking at it. Laboratory testing is the only way to know if asbestos is present. It is microscopic in size.
For building use, asbestos is usually mixed with another material, for example, board, insulation or coatings, which often look similar to other materials. In addition, asbestos-containing materials are often covered or placed behind other building materials, so it's hard to know if you're working with it or not. There is only one way to know for sure, stop work and sample the material. Don’t take a chance.
294 people die from asbestos exposure
every day world-wide
That’s more people than are killed in
road accidents
You can’t see it, taste it or smell it
You won’t know you have been
exposed to it
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5. How does asbestos effect us?
DANGER
ASBESTOS
asbestos
Teacher notes:
Ask students. ‘does anyone know how asbestos can kill?’ (Listen to answers before continuing to show lung diagram)
Show the YouTube Video from the UK
Generally, asbestos is only a risk if it is disturbed or damaged so that fibers are released into the air where they can be breathed in.
Unlike other minerals, asbestos doesn't grind into small grains – it breaks down into tiny fibers. These fibers are smaller than hair, and can only be seen under a microscope. When someone breathes in asbestos fibers, some of them become lodged in delicate lung tissue. The body's immune system tries to break the fibers down, but asbestos is resilient and only breaks down extremely slowly.
Over time, if exposure to asbestos is repeated, fibers build up and can damage the lung tissue and lining. Damage can continue to develop for many years - even if there is no further exposure to asbestos. Eventually, the lungs can be very badly harmed due to asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening. Other cancers have been medically linked like; Colorectal, Ovarian, Kidney to name a few. You don't need to remember the names of these illnesses. Just remember that they are all horrible, and some of these conditions will kill.
All exposure to asbestos exposure should be avoided. It is also important to understand that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibers are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer. New lungs are especially susceptible.
Youth are in greater danger
YouTube Video
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6. DANGER ASBESTOS Any building or home could contain asbestos click now
Teacher notes:
Asbestos has not been banned in America. It can be used in manufacture, construction or elsewhere. Asbestos-containing materials still exist in old as well as new buildings.
Without taking proper precautions, disturbing asbestos can release fibers into the air. So, if the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and is unlikely to be disturbed or damaged during the normal use of the building, it is safer to leave it in place. There are many ways to cover or encapsulate materials that are asbestos.
We can live with asbestos as long as the materials are in good shape and not damaged or disturbed.
Any building or home could contain asbestos
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7. DANGER ASBESTOS You Anyone working on homes
Teacher notes: Ask the students, ”‘who is likely to come into contact with hidden asbestos” ?
Some answers: building trades and mechanics and homeowners doing repairs or renovations. In other words, YOU. When cutting, drilling or hammering asbestos-containing materials or removing panels, tiles, etc which contain asbestos, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Without proper protection, you – and anyone working with you or nearby – is in real danger of breathing in the fibers.
In 2011, it was estimated that 10,000 people will die in America, as a result of past asbestos exposures. That means, 28 people die every day. That number will not go down until we get a handle on it and educate everyone.
Please emphasize to students that anyone doing laundry after workers come home can also lead to exposure.
You
Anyone working on homes
Car repairs on breaks or clutches
Trades people
Firemen and first responders
Volunteers
Pets
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8. What should I do? DANGER ASBESTOS
Teacher notes: Let students know that asbestos is regulated in the work-place. Violations can be reported to OSHA or EPA.
Homes are not regulated and that is why people didn’t get this information about the hazard in homes. You can help correct this by sharing this information with your family & friends.
Everyone likely to come across asbestos must have asbestos awareness training (it is the law for workers-EPA/OSHA)
Collect a sample of the material for testing prior to creating dust
Keep materials wet with soapy water
Protect your lungs and keep kids and animals out
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9. DANGER ASBESTOS It’s very dangerous, especially to young people
It can be found in almost any building
If in doubt, stop work and check (sample)
Don’t put yourself at risk
We can live with asbestos if we respect it and understand its use
Asbestos: Still legal and in use -- Reuters Investigates
Teacher notes: [ask students for suggestions] ‘So in summary, can you tell me what we’ve learned about asbestos?’
These are the really important points you need to remember:
Asbestos is very dangerous, especially to young people
Asbestos can be found in almost any building or home
If in doubt, stop work and check
You have a legal right to know about asbestos in the work-place, it is the law.
Don’t put yourself at risk – asbestos is a hidden killer.
Ask the students to complete the task sheet.
For more information, encourage the students to visit the Johnny O. Perea Foundation website, which includes an interactive version of the task sheet and a Do you know the facts? quiz to test their understanding.
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