Asbestos Awareness

1
Asbestos Awareness

• UWSP Environmental, Health, and Safety Training,
  2005

2
Objective

• To provide you with a general knowledge of
• asbestos, the associated health effects, and
• the restrictions that apply to disturbing or
• removing asbestos-containing materials (ACM)

3
Source of Asbestos

• Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found
  primarily in the mountain ranges of Canada, North
  Central USA (Montana), and northern Eurasia.
  (Magnesium silicate)
• When separated from rock, asbestos becomes a
  fluffy fibrous material that has many uses.

4
Examples of Use

• Sprayed-on fireproofing, soundproofing,
  insulation
• Acoustic plaster and mastic (adhesives)
• Pipe insulation
• Asbestos cement pipe and sheets (transite)
• Boiler and hot water tank insulation
• Paper products (single sheet or corrugated)
• Gaskets and packings (valves)
• Friction material (brake linings)
• Asbestos textiles and floor tiles
• Ceiling insulation (vermiculite)

5
Health Effects

• Routes of Exposure - Inhalation
• Mechanism of effect scaring of lung tissue
• Diseases
• mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer
• Latency 20 40 years
• Why its easy to ignore the danger asbestos
  cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted

6
Health Effects

• From the National Institute of Health
• Many studies have shown that the combination
  of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly
  hazardous. Smokers who are also exposed to
  asbestos have a greatly increased risk of lung
  cancer. However, smoking combined with asbestos
  exposure does not appear to increase the risk of
  mesothelioma.

7
Applicable Regulations

• NESHAPS, AHERA, OSHA, EPA
• Scope of regulations - activities covered
• Training and certification requirements

8
Properties

• High tensile strength
• Flexible
• Heat and chemical resistant
• Corrosive resistant
• Excellent insulator
• Friable Vs. Nonfriable
• Persistent

9
Types of Asbestos

• Chrysotile (White asbestos)
• Highly resistant to heat
• 97 of all asbestos
• Amosite (Brown asbestos)
• Highly resistant to heat and acid
• Used for heat insulation
• Crocidolite (Blue asbestos)
• Highly resistant to acid.
• Used to make battery cases and acid-resistant
  cement pipes.

10
Where and How Much?

• Wisconsin Asbestos Lead Management System
• WALMS Website
• User ID UWSP
• Password 1848
• Contact your supervisor with questions.

11
Safe Work Practices

• Know locations
• Do not disturb!
• Avoid contact!
• If the presence of asbestos is suspected, always
  assume it is an ACM! Notify Supervisor.
• Use warning signs and labels
• Use the High Efficiency Particulate Air Vacuum
• Wet methods
• Asbestos checklist

12
Safe Work Practices

• Avoid sanding, grinding or pulverizing tiles.
• Use wet methods and low abrasion pads slower than
  300 rpm.
• Avoid burnishing or dry buffing unless there is
  enough finish to prevent contact between floor
  tiles and the pad.
• Avoid dusting, dry sweeping, or vacuuming
  deteriorated ACM, unless you are using a HEPA
  vacuum. Follow department procedure (Contractor).
• Asbestos waste is regulated not to be put in
  trash.
• Never use compressed air.

13
Removal Requirements

• Most removal is to be handled through Contracted
  Maintenance
• UWSP Maintenance Personnel only remove small
  amounts of non-friable asbestos
• Equipment and procedures needed
• Follow specific UWSP procedures, see our Policy