Asbestos

Seungmin, Christina, Ahmir, and EricBy:

Definition of Asbestos

● Asbestos- A fibrous mineral that is soft, gray white that does not burn and was

used in older building materials as protection against fire and for insulation.

● Asbestos can cause cancer.

Products that contain Asbestos

● Tiles

● Wall Boards

● Siding & roofing

● Vinyl Floor tile

● Vinyl Sheet Flooring

● Wall Covering

Products that contains asbestos continued

● Ceiling

● Electrical insulation

● Fireproofing

● Coating

● Gaskets

● Building materials

Toxic substances used in the products

● Cheap

● Durable

● Flexible

● Naturally acted as an insulating and fireproofing agent

● They are used in building materials because the fibers provided strength

without adding much weight.

Route of Exposure

● Asbestos exposure occurs when someone inhales or swallow asbestos fibers. Fibers can remain airborne for hours, placing anybody nearby in danger. Once inhaled, they become trapped in the respiratory system tract and lungs, where they might stay for life.

Route of Exposure Continued

● Demolition work, building of home, maintenance, repairs, modeling, and common building materials contain asbestos. When someone cuts, drills, and sands it disturbs the fibers, allowing the microscopic fibers enter the air.

Human Health Impacts

● Can Cause fatal Lung Cancer● Mesothelioma (Type of cancer that lines around the lung)● Asbestosis● Asbestos exposure is most commonly related to occupational, environmental

and secondhand factors.● The risks are the same for everyone because asbestos is an airborne

substances/fiber. Asbestos kills up to 15,000 americans a year.● Smokers are even more affected ● Irritates lungs

Number of Deaths from asbestos

Environmental issues associated with extraction

● Asbestos has been linked to a number of serious medical condition.

● These all affect the lungs and respiratory system.

● Cancer causing.

Asbestos Alternatives

● Polyurethane Foams

Water based foams are extremely safe to spray inside walls for insulation.

● Flour fillers

Flour from pecan, rice, and wheat are a natural insulation.

● Thermoset plastic flour

Wood floor is the low cost insulator and proved strength

Asbestos Alternatives Continued

● Cellulose fibres

Finely shredded newsprint and chemically treated to increase its level of fire resistance

● Amorphous silica fabrics

High temperature resistance material

Work cited● http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php

● http://www.asbestos.com/exposure/

● http://www.asbestos.com/products/

● www.Greenne.com/the environmental-impact-of-asbestos/

● https://www.iceasbestos.com/blog/top-5-asbestos-alternatives