More than 30 years ago, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission dubbed asbestos a “toxic substance” and essentially halted all new uses of the hazardous mineral. Faced with decades of complaints that linked this naturally-mined material with all sorts of health complications, including the devastating cancer mesothelioma, the EPA finally decided it was time to find new and safer materials to do the job for which asbestos products were once employed
For most of the 20th century, asbestos had many uses and could be found in myriad products including insulation materials, roofing, dry wall compound, floor and ceiling tiles, and cement, and even in everyday consumer products ranging from toasters to hand-held hair dryers. Asbestos was considered a prime insulator and also added to a product’s durability. It was also inexpensive and, hence, a logical choice for many industries.
The building industry was particularly fond of asbestos and used it abundantly. Not only could it be found in millions of homes, often functioning as attic insulation, but it was used in plants and factories, schools, and office buildings. When in good condition, asbestos didn’t generally present a health problem. However, if it is manipulated in some way or is worn or damaged, it can release microscopic fibers that can infiltrate the lungs and eventually cause severe respiratory problems and diseases like mesothelioma cancer.
Because asbestos use was largely halted many years ago, it’s logical to assume that, as we celebrate Earth Day 2010, Americans are now safe from exposure. However, it is estimated that nearly 80% of all structures built prior to 1980 still contain asbestos materials in some form.
If undisturbed, asbestos causes little concern. However, renovation or do-it-yourself projects in asbestos-containing buildings can indeed be hazardous, especially if asbestos materials are not handled properly. Any renovations that demand asbestos be disturbed in any way should involve a licensed abatement professional who can either remove the material according to guidelines or encapsulate it so that it’s safe. Above all, homeowners should never try to remove asbestos on their own or manipulate it in any way.
Parents of school children who attend classes in older buildings should also be sure their kids are safe from exposure. In accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, schools should have an asbestos management plan on file and should perform periodic checks of the asbestos materials inside their buildings. If parents suspect asbestos is not being handled properly, the school should be reported to the local EPA.
It’s essential to the safety of the environment that asbestos be eradicated, but the U.S. continues to delay an overall ban on the mineral. While there are regulations in place to reduce exposure, the U.S. has refused to join the many countries worldwide that subscribe to the fact that there is indeed no safe level of asbestos exposure.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center is the web’s foremost resource for all current mesothelioma treatment and asbestos exposure information. Approved by the Health on the Net Foundation for reliable and accredited health information, the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center is the largest and most comprehensive resource of its kind on the web today.
