Everyone seems to think that Asbestos was banned. I mean, we know it is a toxic substance which causes deadly cancers and diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma. We know it kills people but why on earth would you think it was banned? Is it possible that this deadly substance was never really banned? Is it possible that asbestos containing products are still around us?
Here are the facts: Asbestos kills over 10,000 men, woman and children every year. Still today, asbestos containing products are being manufactured and imported into the country. During 1971 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed asbestos as a Hazardous Air Pollutant. At that time the EPA and OSHA started to restrict the uses of asbestos in products. Throughout the 1970‘s the EPA and US Government wanted to ban asbestos products but pressures from asbestos producers and the Canadian government sought to stop it.
During 1989, the EPA said it would phase out and ban up to 94% of all products containing asbestos in consumer products by 1997. The EPA said: “asbestos is a human carcinogen and is one of the most hazardous substances to which humans are exposed in both occupational and non-occupational settings.” The EPA had it correct – countless tests, studies and deaths already proved it.
So what happened? It sounded like the US was being the great Leader of the world, like it usually is, and is banning and/or phasing out asbestos products. Well the asbestos industry did not like the ban – it meant losing millions, or I should say billions of dollars. So they filed lawsuits against the EPA and in 1991, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ban.
Where do we stand now? Political pressures from various groups to keep asbestos products amongst us and some strong politicians who are trying to ban it are going on right now. Legislation and bills are being created to finally ban ACB, Asbestos Containing Products. Will it pass and finally be banned? No one knows, but one thing is for sure; there are less products being made with asbestos. People are learning the truth about this toxic substance and the ban is closer to being realized than ever before.
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Help answer the question about asbestos
Is it possible that a very old wall air conditioner could have asbestos inside it?I live in an apartment that came with a very old air conditioner. When I opened the front panel I discovered that there is a blackish gray brittle material used as installation around the inside edge. I don't know how old it is, but it reminds me of asbestos. I don't know what asbestos looks like exactly, so I was wondering if anyone knows if this is what it is or if it is just some other harmless material. I don't trust the apartment manager to have followed the proper safety regulations and removed asbestos from the property. Give me a shout if you know the answer.
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First the contractor seals the area with plastic, then uses a HEPA filter to create a negative pressure situation. This keeps the airborne fibers in the area. They are soaked with a soap solution to keep them as intact as possible, then they are scraped clean. The asbestos is placed in plastic garbage bags, which are tightly sealed. This bag is placed inside another bag, which is also tightly sealed. When the job is complete, the bags are taken to special landfills and disposed of carefully.
Leaving the asbestos pipewrap in place is dangerous. All it takes is a good bump to release fibers into the air. I wouldn't expose myself or my children to this. Abatement is pricey, but how much is your life worth? Have it taken care of, it's the right thing to do.
Hope this helps.
builders and workers need a special license to work with asbestos now. Try this company. http://www.asbestosprofessionals.com.au/index.htm?gclid=CK6g0MLtjJMCFREqagodUVWPfA
or yellow pages online.
don't work on the room until your sure it's safe.
The pipe insulation since the asbestos fibers are loosely bound. It is the very fine asbestos filaments getting caught in lungs that do the damage.
I'd "negotiate" for removal of such or walk away from the deal (unless I have the removal priced in my offer).
The pipe can be left in place and actually should be as long as it's in good condition.
What needs to be done is to seal the broke end so no more frayed off fibers can enter the atmosphere. That is of course if the pipe is no longer being used.
Asbestos is dangerous, but over concern creates a scare.
Since the damaged end is not in your living quarters and is up in the attic, I hope you get to feeling better about it.
Construction workers can be exposed to 0.1 fiber/cubic centimeter over an 8 hour work day and an excursion limit of 1.0 fiber/cubic centimeter as averaged over 30 minutes.
Call them back to wrap and seal it up. Check their work and forget about it.
Of course, if you want to have it removed, by all means do so. It's just that fibers are released a lot of time during removal. That's why I support leaving it there until necessary to remove it.
You can call the health board in your area..this is totally illegal..By law a removal of this sort should be done only by trained and licensed asbestos ebatement teams…They canot legally do this..If it is already done the health board will perform the necessary tests and also make them pay for any removal if you show signs of it in your yard, along with more than likely a heavy fine…Asbestos si usually not harmless unless airborne in a dust form etcetera, but by burning it I would say this put some airborne and into the enviroment
Nearly every house built before 1960 has asbestos in it somewhere. Asbestos was a commonly used product at that time, due to its fire resistance capabilities. It is not illegal to have asbestos in a home and/or rental property, and it is not dangerous as long as it is 'encapsulated', such as in exterior asbestos siding or interior floor tiles.
Each state has its own program. You really need the asbestos inspector and asbestos management planner licenses together in today's job market. The class takes a week and then you have to apprentice under a licensed inspector for a certain number of inspections. The number will vary by state. Then you apply for the license.
I moved to NC from VA several years ago and I maintain my licenses in VA. How certain states view other state's licenses varies if you try to switch. No matter what state you do the work, you must have a license in that state that is current, so I don't do NC jobs.
USEPA only sets the regulations for the training required and along with states approves the training. The license work is strictly a state function. I even believe DC has a separate program. I suggest you find a company in the state you are going and give them a call.
You Don't!
Unfortunately, for you, you own the property so clean up is your responsibility.
If the architect or contractor had found asbestos at the start, you would have had to pay for the removal.
From your description, their errors did not cost you anything beyond the cost of the removal.
Don't you just hate it when you get hit in the pocketbook really hard?