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Understanding Asbestos and Its Hazards
Sep 8, 2024
Lecture on Asbestos
Introduction
Trace
from DNews conducting the lecture.
Discussion on asbestos, a hazardous material in old homes/buildings.
Commercial use in North America for over a century.
In 2016, the EPA evaluated it as a high priority risk, potentially banning it.
What is Asbestos?
Originally identified in ancient Greece, 300 BCE.
Looks like rotten wood, resistant to fire.
Not man-made or chemical; it's a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals.
Found in rock and soil, in 900 regions across the US.
Properties:
Stronger than steel and fire-resistant.
Does not biodegrade, decompose, dissolve in water, or evaporate.
Types of Asbestos
Amesite
: Brown asbestos.
Chrysitilite
: Blue asbestos.
Chrysatil
: White asbestos.
Other types: Actinolite, Anthropolite, Tremolite.
White asbestos
is softer, more flexible, used in 95% of asbestos products.
Uses of Asbestos
Heat-resistant fabrics, paints, plastics, paper products.
Car brakes and clutches.
Building materials such as roofing, siding, flooring, and insulation.
Health Risks
Airborne Asbestos
: When crumbled, asbestos becomes thin threads.
Risks of inhaling/swallowing these threads, especially for construction workers.
No immediate symptoms like coughing or sneezing.
Invisible, odorless, tasteless.
Protective Equipment
: Essential for those working with asbestos.
Health Effects
According to OSHA
:
Hazard for 1.3 million US construction workers.
EPA
: Asbestos is a known carcinogen.
Health issues include:
Lung cancer.
Mesothelioma: Cancer in lung lining.
Asbestosis: Long-term lung disease.
Statistics
:
200,000 asbestosis cases annually in the US.
Over 6,000 deaths from related diseases.
Regulation and Bans
Regulated since the 1970s in the US.
Checks in drinking water, schools, consumer products, workplace air.
Some uses banned: Certain paper and spray-on materials.
Potential for a complete ban by the EPA.
Conclusion
Asbestos: A naturally occurring material used throughout history, with fatal consequences.
Importance of regulation and awareness to manage the risks.
Highlights misconception of natural = safe.
Encouragement for further scientific inquiries and understanding.
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Full transcript