Syracuse, New York 12/13/2008 3:03:46 AM
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center Urges Caution When Conducting Home Heating Repairs
Furnaces, Boilers Present Asbestos Hazard
As temperatures continue to drop across the United States and home heating systems are worked more than ever, the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center would like to urge all conducting home heating repairs and renovations to consider asbestos hazards.
Asbestos was used in many heating, ventilation, and central air conditioning systems before the majority of asbestos products were banned in the late 1970's. However, many of these products remain in homes across the country. In fact, recent estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission indicate that as many as 80% of homes built prior to 1980 contain at lease some asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos can commonly be found in furnace block, hot water heater linings, and pipe coverings. Asbestos was fire retardant and resistant to temperature transfer, which made it appealing for compounds of this nature. The majority of asbestos products in homes today are not immediate hazards. Asbestos compounds which are intact and stable pose no immediate threat unless they are crumbled or easily broken down with human hand pressure.
When unstable asbestos material breaks down, it can release asbestos fibers into the air if disturbed. These fibers are easily inhaled and lodged in the pleural lining of the lungs. Inhaled asbestos fibers have been conclusively linked to mesothelioma, a rare cancer known only to be caused by exposure.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center has long been considered the web's leading resource for information concerning thoracic disease, mesothelioma treatment, and asbestos exposure. For more information, please visit www.maacenter.org.
