AsbestosJose & Kim

What is Asbestos?• A natural occuring mineral fiber that has

been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant

How is it used? • Used in

manufactured goods, mostly in building materials, friction products, heat-resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coating.

Human Exposure• Damaged or disturbed asbestos-containing

materials by repair, remodeling or demolition activities

• microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.

• Lung Problems• Asbestosis• Lung Cancer• Mesothelioma

• Workplace exposure • people that work in industries that mine, make or use asbestos

products• those living near these industries, including:• the construction industry (particularly building demolition

renovation activities)• the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, • friction products, insulation, and other building materials

during automotive brake and clutch repair work• Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed asbestos-containing

products such as insulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials, and floor tiles.

• May be part of the local geological • They may be exposed in surface outcrops of rocks, in road cuts,

or occur just below the surf

Case Study: El Dorado Hills, California

• El Dorado Hills is a community in the Sierra foothills. The local geology is primarily volcanic rock and some ultramafic rock with magnesium rich and can provide conditions where asbestos minerals can form within the rock. During the building of two soccer fields they interfered with asbestos• USA EPA asked to evaluate the asbestos exposure

in public areas and the results were high.• Air & soil samples proved it.

Bibliography• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2007, September 11). Chemical-

Specific Health Consultation: Tremolite Asbestos and Other Related Types of Asbestos . Retrieved April 4, 2008, from Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/more_about_asbestos/health_consultation/

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2006). Asbestos Exposures at Oak Ridge High School 1120 Harvard Way El Dorado Hills, California. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/OakRidgeHS-013106/OakRidgeHighSchoolHC013106.pdf

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2006). Asbestos Exposures at Oak Ridge High School 1120 Harvard Way El Dorado Hills, California. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/OakRidgeHS-013106/OakRidgeHighSchoolHC013106.pdf