Effects Of Asbestos In Home

Effects Of Asbestos In Home

Asbestos and Natural Disasters
When a natural disaster strikes, the biggest problems arise around water and food, land access, cleanup efforts, and the human, economic and environmental losses. Emergency personnel received training to work in these types of events and their potential damage. However, very few people have been trained to be aware of the potential danger of asbestos exposure resulting from these events.

Risks of Asbestos
Asbestos has been used in the construction of homes, offices, schools, theaters and other commercial and industrial sites from the end of 1800 because of its durability and its resistance to fire and heat. Although many construction materials containing asbestos, these are harmless when the content remains unchanged. However, during a natural disaster where buildings and other structures are destroyed, these materials become extremely dangerous because the fibers break down and are released. The materials that may contain asbestos are:

Roofing materials
Flooring
Insulation
Panels
Pipe coatings
Plastics
Power Supplies
Coatings
Effects of Asbestos
Once asbestos has been released, the fibers can become airborne and be inhaled or ingested. Although the fibers are extremely small, the shape and composition do not allow them to be easily expelled from the body. The fibers can become lodged in the lining of the lungs and other organs, causing terminal diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

asbestosAlthough there are specially trained to remove asbestos products found in buildings in everyday situations, very few of these are part of the emergency personnel. Moreover, the process of removal can be long and painstaking. Given the danger of releasing asbestos, governments have been implementing specific guidelines for disposal.

References: EPA No Action Assurance EPA- Planning for Natural Disaster Debris
Asbestos and Natural Disasters
When a natural disaster strikes, the biggest problems arise around water and food, land access, cleanup efforts, and the human, economic and environmental losses. Emergency personnel received training to work in these types of events and their potential damage. However, very few people have been trained to be aware of the potential danger of asbestos exposure resulting from these events.

risksRisks of Asbestos
Asbestos has been used in the construction of homes, offices, schools, theaters and other commercial and industrial sites from the end of 1800 because of its durability and its resistance to fire and heat. Although many construction materials containing asbestos, these are harmless when the content remains unchanged. However, during a natural disaster where buildings and other structures are destroyed, these materials become extremely dangerous because the fibers break down and are released. The materials that may contain asbestos are:

Roofing materials
Flooring
Insulation
Panels
Pipe coatings
Plastics
Power Supplies
Coatings
Effects of Asbestos
Once asbestos has been released, the fibers can become airborne and be inhaled or ingested. Although the fibers are extremely small, the shape and composition do not allow them to be easily expelled from the body. The fibers can become lodged in the lining of the lungs and other organs, causing terminal diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

asbestosAlthough there are specially trained to remove asbestos products found in buildings in everyday situations, very few of these are part of the emergency personnel. Moreover, the process of removal can be long and painstaking. Given the danger of releasing asbestos, governments have been implementing specific guidelines for disposal.

References: EPA No Action Assurance EPA- Planning for Natural Disaster Debris