Poll: Would you be worried if you were exposed to asbestos?

[iamwiz82]

I ripped up a bunch of very old linoleum flooring without any regard for asbestos until someone mentioned it to me. Oh well, I don't think a single exposure is going to significantly shorten my life.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: binister
Let's say you found out your 60's era home contained it.

Would you worry about doing work on your house?

Get professionals to deal with it.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I ripped up a bunch of very old linoleum flooring without any regard for asbestos until someone mentioned it to me. Oh well, I don't think a single exposure is going to significantly shorten my life.

It may not shorten your life but you might have a much worse quality of life... I don't know how much it takes.

 

[SonnyDaze]

I was exposed to asbestos for 20 years off and on while in the military. Had it documented in health records "just in case". There are 2 types of asbestos, friable and non-friable. Which one you deal with will depend on your exposure level. Quick Google search pulled up the article below. FWIW, As long as you're not turning this stuff into dust, making it airborne, inhaling it, eating it, you should be okay. Alwasy wear dust mask and protective clothing when exposed to it.

Friable asbestos is a term used to describe any asbestos-containing material that when dry, can be easily crumbled or pulverized to powder by hand. Material that contains more than just 1% asbestos and is friable is considered to be Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM).

Some common examples of friable asbestos are acoustic ceilings and tiles, many types of plasters, wallboard, joint compound or "mud" and thermal insulation for water heaters and pipes. Although use of asbestos in these products was banned by 1978 those already in the marketplace remained on the shelves and were used in construction for many years after. They are still commonly found in homes today.

Non-friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) is not regulated because it contains a binder or hardening agent such as cement, asphalt or vinyl. Examples of ACM are asphalt roofing shingles, vinyl asbestos floor tiles and transite siding made with cement. ACM products are still being manufactured today. The danger with this type of material is that it can pose the same hazard as friable asbestos during remodeling, repairs or other construction. Burning ACM also creates friable asbestos.

When asbestos is crushed it disperses a dusting of microscopic fibers in the air that can remain for very long periods of time. These fibers can be unknowingly inhaled and permanently lodged in lung and other body tissues, yet symptoms might not appear for 20 years or more. Inhaling the fibers has been linked to cancer and asbestosis, a chronic lung disease similar in symptoms to emphysema. Unfortunately there is no known safe level of exposure, which is why asbestos remains a concern today.

If you suspect your home might contain friable asbestos or ACM you can consult a licensed asbestos expert to conduct a survey of your home and take samples for analysis. If asbestos is found but your home is in good shape, the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) recommends leaving it while being cognizant of avoiding damage that might cause release of fibers. If you want to remodel or perform other repairs, then a licensed asbestos contractor should be hired to remove the material legally and safely. Unfortunately this is rather costly due to the hazard involved and the care that must be taken to do it properly. Materials must be wet to eliminate fiber release, and anti-dust emission controls like large specialty vacuums are used. The removed material is treated as hazardous waste, must be double-bagged and disposed of properly.

Sweeping, dusting, or using a household vacuum will only make fibers airborne. They will pass through household filters and are not visible to the naked eye.

If a home or building is being demolished for any reason, the law requires a licensed asbestos contractor remove all ACM and friable asbestos prior to demolition.

Asbestos, is a term that covers many types of naturally-occuring fibrous materials that are long-lasting, lightweight and fire-resistant, making them a popular choice for construction until the dangers were discovered in the 1970s.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: chrisms
My high school had it, I survived.

Holy cow what high school is that??

 

[j00fek]

have it in dads house, im still here

 

[mchammer]

Originally posted by: marincounty

Originally posted by: mchammer

Originally posted by: marincounty

Originally posted by: mchammer

Originally posted by: marincounty
They used asbestos in brake lininings for years, still used in oem replacement brakes.
This stuff was and is in the air everywhere. Mechanics were exposed to this stuff all of the time. I don't recall a huge epidemic of lung disease.
IMHO this has been totally overblown by junk science and the media.
If you need to get rid of it, just put on a disposable suit, a mask, and glasses.
Don't pay the extortionate costs of an "official" asbestos abatement crew.

Are you a doctor? Do you know anything about how asbestos harms the body? Cite medical studies or don't post this BS.

What BS? Are you a doctor? Prove with a link that anything I posted is untrue.
You're breathing asbestos all of the time. It's still in lots of brakes, not to mention tiles, pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, etc...
You can buy all of the protective equipment the asbestos "professionals" use.

lol. You are the one that made the claims here... The asbesos doesn't come out until it is disturbed. I don't see where you would buy the stuff these people use, plus you would not have the same training. The masks and filters they have are $$$ plus they test before and after. What is your problem with this issue? I think some people on here just want to seem like they can do everything themselves and don't need help ever.

No, I'm telling you this stuff is everywhere, in the air, and is not as dangerous as the govt and media have told you. Otherwise there would be epidemics of lung disease.
The training these workers have? Are you kidding me, these are mainly high-school dropouts doing the actual work.
This is not rocket science.

No its not, it only comes out when its disturbed. I'm not saying it will cause instant death, but there is certainly cause for concern about this. Take off the tin foil hat dude.

 

[Patt]

I have insulation in the roof of my old home (1929) that is potentially asbestos-laced ... when we renovate something that might disturb it we will have it removed professionally as I don't want to ever have to think about it.

 

[andy04]

I would just worry about how to become a plaintill in some lawsuit :laugh:

 

[IGBT]

..depending on the age of your home and work history and where you went to school most people have been exposed. Fiberglass insulation is now suspected to cause similar problems when inhaled because..like asbestos the fibers don't break down and cause chronic tissue inflamation which over time results in cancer.

 

[pontifex]

no, i'd call that Sokolove lawyer dude and he will make everything better

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: binister
One of our contractors was worried about it based on some things he saw in our attic/walls. Now he wants to have everything tested first, at an insane cost.

I personally think the whole asbestos scare is BS unless you are working with it on a daily basis for many many years. So now I have to decide whether to tear out the walls/tile/insulation myself or pay for the test and the inevitable "cleanup" which I am guessing will double the bill.

EDIT: I will likely be cutting/grinding the tiles to get them off of the wall fwiw.

no, I wouldn't except for the cost. Many believe the whole abestos scare is typical trial lawyer BS etc.

There are plenty of houses around here with asbestos tiles on the exterior. Most people just cover over them with whatever they want - siding etc.

Fern

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..depending on the age of your home and work history and where you went to school most people have been exposed. Fiberglass insulation is now suspected to cause similar problems when inhaled because..like asbestos the fibers don't break down and cause chronic tissue inflamation which over time results in cancer.

Yep, insulation is the next potential problem. Fire rated sheet rock also contains fiberglass that is expelled into the air when working with it.

Formaldehyde was only recently removed from fiberglass insulation which is a suspected carcinogen.

 

[Oxaqata]

I pretty sure my grandfather died from that stuff, so yes.

 

[nissan720]

Originally posted by: bctbct
As long as you dont disturb it there is no danger.

 

[dartworth]

I've exposed to asbestos, lead, and all kinds of nasty chemicals...just a part of my job.

If I were a homeowner and found it, I would find out the safest and most affordable way to remove it or at least encapsulate it.