HANDLING ASBESTOS AT HOME

Wayland N. McKenzie and Mary Andersen
Occupational Medicine, UMC

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a type of mineral fiber that was commonly used for insulation, floor tiles, and other building materials, as well as for brake linings, fire resistant cloth, and many other uses. Since 1970, most of these uses have been banned. Asbestos can only be positively identified with a microscope.

Dangers

The three main health problems that are associated with asbestos are lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Most asbestos- related deaths are caused by lung cancer. Smoking multiplies the risk of getting lung cancer from asbestos. Asbestosis is caused by the accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lung, and has been a problem for people who were heavily exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer linked almost exclusively to asbestos. Sometimes people who had very little exposure to asbestos have gotten mesothelioma. Many people worry about having asbestos around them. In fact, asbestos is only dangerous when its fibers are released. Therefore, you need to be concerned about asbestos if you have, for example, pipe insulation that is crumbling, if you are remodeling, or have a fire, or if for some other reason asbestos is being disturbed.

Safe Handling

If you suspect that you may have asbestos in your home, check it for signs of wear. If you do need to disturb it or remove it, contact a professional testing laboratory to have a sample identified. If you must remove asbestos, contact a professional about the best means of handling it. Although state and federal laws don't require you to do so, it is in your and your family's best interest. Also, be sure to dispose of your asbestos-containing materials safely. Do NOT dispose of asbestos waste as regular trash. It must be properly labelled as an asbestos hazard, and must be taken to a designated asbestos landfill. Again, consult a professional if you have questions about how to do this.

Federal and state laws do not regulate disturbance of asbestos on private property. However, anyone who works with asbestos commercially must be trained and licensed. Commercial asbestos projects require a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Also, any worker who is exposed to airborne asbestos more than 30 working days per year must have an annual physical. This type of physical is performed routinely through the Occupational Medicine Program at University Hospital in Columbia.

For more information:

Wayland N. McKenzie, Occupational Medicine Program, MU School of Medicine (573)882-7413.

American Lung Association, 811 Cherry St., Columbia, Mo. 65201 (573)874-2616.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Div.,P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Mo. (573)751-4817.

Brent Mattox, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Health and Safety, Research Park Dev. Bldg., University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. 65211. (573)882-7018.