Tag: asbestos

The use of asbestos started in the early 1800s and became extremely popular during and after WWII. At the time asbestos was a great and common product to be used or housing and other commercial projects because of its resistant to heat, fire, chemicals, and does not possess the ability to conduct electricity. There was no asbestos law or anything to prove the harmful effects of asbestos until the1970s. It was in the late 1970s when the first asbestos law was created by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission, or the CPSC. The CPSC passed an asbestos law that banned the use of asbestos in projects such as gas fireplaces and wallboard patching compounds because of the fear that the dangerous fibers on the asbestos would be admitted into the environment. This asbestos law also went on to state that people who were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, and sometime for just a moment, were at risk for contracting several serious diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These diseases are extremely serious and usually cause harm in the person that contracts the disease.

Although there was an asbestos law passed that outlawed the use asbestos, many people were exposed to the product after the facts about the dangers of the product were uncovered. Because of this, many former building contractors, ship yard workers, and other laborers have contracted these asbestos related illnesses, and feel anger towards the people that subjected them to these harmful products.

The diseases caused by asbestos exposure can lead to death and heartache, and are often caught too late because of the minor symptoms that are associated with the diseases. Because of this, many people are unfortunately having to face major health concerns do to working in certain fields decades ago.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once used in hundreds of thousands of buildings as an insulation material.  In addition, it was also used in a number of other building materials such as caulking, joint compound, floor and ceiling tiles, and roofing materials, to name a few.  It was not until a few decades ago that it was discovered to be a harmful substance, particularly when the particles are inhaled.  Because of this significant finding, asbestos removal has become an integral part of today’s modern building restructuring.  Asbestos removal is very important since the substance has been known to cause serious lung diseases, and cancer in some cases.  For those performing the actual removal, strict safety standards must be met in order to ensure that those removing it do not breathe in the particles or fibers.  Today, fiberglass insulation has taken the place of asbestos in most buildings, and any materials used for building now contain alternative ingredients.

There are many asbestos removal companies who can take the asbestos out of buildings safely.  Fortunately, less and less buildings today still contain this harmful material.  Often, when renovations are being done, or a building is demolished, it is discovered that there was still some asbestos inside.  An asbestos removal company is usually called in situations like this to be sure the material is removed safely and that no innocent bystanders inhale or touch it.  Some countries still use this harmful material such as China and India.  Fortunately, in the United States, the material is no longer used and any buildings that are found containing asbestos are often either demolished or temporarily closed so that asbestos removal can take place.  This helps to ensure everyone’s safety and well being, and keeps the public away from this very harmful, toxic material.

In the 1940s and 1950s, a common material was often used in home and building construction called asbestos.  Asbestos was a great building material that is actually an organic fibrous compound that is heat and fire resistant, and also can not conduct electricity.  While asbestos used to be a common product to use, in the 1970s, the Consumer Products Safety Commission, also known as the CPSC, determined that asbestos was a dangerous carcinogen and was to be banned from the market.  While many building still contained asbestos, proper precautions were to be made for employees who were going to have to come in contact with the produce.  Several decades later, many company owners and construction project leaders each faced a large asbestos lawsuit, claiming that proper health cautions were not taken when employees came in contact with the product.  The reason that an asbestos lawsuit was able to come about was that many former construction workers and other employees had discovered that they have illnesses causes from their contact with asbestos.  An asbestos lawsuit claims that innocent people came in contact with asbestos at work, and had later discovered that they were sick with illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.  The asbestos lawsuit claims that these employees were knowingly subjected to unhealthy and unsafe situations at work. 

Many families have created an asbestos lawsuit against their loved ones former employees because their family has had someone become sick or even loose their life because of their asbestos encounters.  People who file an asbestos lawsuit feel that if their loved ones employer had proved the correct safety material to be used when someone was in contact with the dangerous product, no one would have become sick or had to unfortunately loose their life.  Over the years, many families an have the opportunity to win an asbestos lawsuit and feel as though they have gained someone of justice for their unwarranted pain and loss.

Asbestos was used in many building materials from the late 19thcentury until the 1980’s because it is fire resistant, durable and a very good insulating material. It was discovered that inhaling asbestos fibers posed a very serious health risk including mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung, esophagus and other internal organs. Because of this risk asbestos is no longer used in the construction industry, however it remains in many buildings, especially those built after World War II. In recent years, removing asbestos has become an important industry.

If you suspect that you may have asbestos in your home, don’t panic. If it is possible, leave it alone, as it is only a hazard if loose particles get loose in the air. Do not sand or saw the asbestos materials. Do not try removing asbestos on your own; seek advice from a professional experienced in removing asbestos. Common areas where asbestos may be found in the home include: hot water pipes, flue pipes, roof shingles, textured paint, vinyl floor tiles or sheet flooring, insulation on older hot water heaters, insulation in old stoves, and ceiling tiles.

If you do plan on removing asbestos, you should take proper precautions. Wear disposable overalls, gloves, hats and shoe coverings. Wear a half face respirator with a filter rated for asbestos, and work in a well-ventilated area. Wet the materials to reduce dust, and try not to break them. Use a wet mop to sweep any debris and only use a vacuum with a filter designed to collect asbestos fibers. Wet and wrap the asbestos materials in sealed plastic and identify it as asbestos. Throw away all of the asbestos contaminated clothing in a sealed bag and also identify it as being contaminated by asbestos. Shower thoroughly to ensure you wash off any fibers that may have gotten through the barrier. Bring all the waste materials to a dump approved for asbestos collection.

Hopefully this has convinced you to avoid removing asbestos on your own. Call a pro and get good advice. Many times the area can be sealed off, and the hazard will be contained.

Asbestos insulation was very commonly used between the 1930’s and the 1960’s when it’s sever health risks were discovered and use was severely limited.  Aside from it’s insulating properties asbestos is also fireproof which makes it ideal as an insulator.  Unfortunately its health risks make it too dangerous to use. Asbestos is particularly harmful when it is disturbed or broken which releases thousands upon thousands of virtually weightless fibers into the air which then can cause lung disease when inhaled.  If possible it may be wise for newly found asbestos to simply be left alone and protected against any disturbances.

Before you decide what to do with asbestos insulation you’ve found it would be best to talk to an asbestos expert who can tell you exactly what you should do.  One of the ways to limit the asbestos contamination is to simply enclose the asbestos with another material.  By coating the asbestos you limit the chances that the asbestos has to get into the air to cause harm.  Encapsulating the asbestos is more of a short to mid-term fix though and the asbestos still needs to be dealt with in the long run.

If you find asbestos insulation in your house and want to get rid of it for good you should hire asbestos experts to come in and remove the asbestos for you.  Improper asbestos removal only puts more asbestos into the air and makes it more deadly and can be a health risk for years to come.  Professional asbestos cleaners will wear masks and protective clothing when removing asbestos insulation and once they remove the bulk of the insulation will wash the pipes or walls to remove any scrapes and they may even repaint or reseal the walls to ensure that there is no residual asbestos.  Unfortunately professional asbestos removal is a very expensive procedure due to its health risks.