awareness on asbestos

1. ASBESTOS AWARENESS
K.SUBASH,M.TECH-ISE

2. What is asbestos?
Basically a mineral (rock) mined from the
earth

3. What is asbestos?
• Asbestos’ is a generic term for a group of
fibrous silicate minerals.
• Formed over thousands of years when
hydrothermal fluids passed through rock.

4. Groups and types of asbestos
Asbestos
Serpentine Amphiboles
Chrysotile (White) Grunerite/ Amosite (Brown)
Crocidolite (Blue)
Actinolite
Anthophyllite
Tremolite

5. Types of asbestos commercially
exploited
Chrysotile (White)
Grunerite/Amosite (Brown)
Crocidolite (Blue)
Chrysotile was by far the most exploited type of asbestos

6. History
• Crocidolite (Blue) discovered in South
Africa in 1805
• Chrysotile (White) discovered in Canada in
1850
• Amosite (Brown) discovered in South Africa
in 1870

7. History of Use
• In the 20th Century 6 million tons of asbestos fibre was imported into the
country.
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8. Properties of Asbestos
“The Miracle Mineral”
• Incombustibility
• Resistance to high temperatures
• Strength
• Reinforcing & binding agent
• Resistance to electric current
• Resistance to acids and alkalis
• Absorbs sound
• Amphiboles repel water

9. Where is Asbestos Found?
Asbestos may be found in many different products and locations. Examples of
ACMs include:
• Wall and ceiling insulation
• Siding shingles on old residential buildings
• Putties, caulks, and cements (such as in chemical carrying cement pipes)
• Sprayed-on fire proofing and insulation in buildings
• Joint compound in older pipes and boilers insulation
• Wall and ceiling texture in older buildings and homes
• Floor tiles
• Ceiling tiles
• Roofing shingles
• Buildings and homes
• Brake linings and clutch pads
• Old fume hoods and lab benches

10. Never...
• Drill
• Hammer
• Cut
• Saw
• Break
• Damage
• Move
• Disturb

11. Asbestos Diseases
• Asbestosis
• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Larynx cancer

12. Death Rates (2010 HSE Figures)
• Asbestos Related Diseases 4,000-5,000 per
annum and rising
• Mesothelioma 2347 (5 times as many males are
affected than females)
• Asbestos–related Lung Cancer Approx. 2000
• Asbestosis (without mention of Mesothelioma)
412
• Road Deaths 1857 in 2010

13. Some facts
• The Asbestos industry is the second most
regulated industry in the world (First is
Nuclear)
• 90,000 affect by asbestos each year.
• It is known as “MIRACLE MINERAL”.
• 60 Countries banned use of asbestos.
• On 21st January 2011 S.C banned the use
of asbestos in India.

14. CAR 2012
• The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
(CAR 2012)
• Came into force 6 April 2012
• Overall aim is to prevent people being
exposed to asbestos.

15. Legislature’s
• Information related to the material itself
(material assessment of HSG227 and
HSG264)
• Information related to the situation that the
material is in (priority assessment of
HSG227)
The priority assessment is the
responsibility of the duty holder

16. Risk assessment
• A high material assessment score isn’t
necessarily an indicator of high risk to
building occupants.
• 10 or more – high potential for fibre
release.
• 7-9 – medium potential.
• 5-6 – low potential.
• <4 – very low potential.

17. Housekeeping
• Housekeepers and custodians should never sand or dry buff
asbestos containing floor tiles, and only wet stripping methods may
be used during stripping operations.
• Low abrasion pads should be used at speeds below 300 rpm.
• Broken and fallen ceiling tiles should be left in place until identified.
Only after they have been identified as safe may they be removed.
Asbestos tiles will be removed by asbestos abatement workers.
• Broken and damaged asbestos floor tiles must also be removed by
asbestos abatement workers. Report any suspect broken tiles to
Facilities Services.

18. Protecting Yourself
• It is important to report any damaged asbestos-containing materials
to Facilities Services immediately. If, for example, you discover
some sprayed-on asbestos insulation has been knocked off of a
ceiling or wall, this would need to be cleaned up immediately by
asbestos abatement workers.
• Do not attempt to clean up potential asbestos material yourself!
Disturb the material as little as possible. Also report damaged pipe
insulation, ceiling tile, 9" floor tile, fallen clumps of sprayed-on
insulation, etc. Take measures to prevent others from disturbing the
spill until EH&S arrives.
By knowing where asbestos is likely to be located and then taking measures not to
disturb it, you will protect yourself and others from exposure to this hazardous substance.

19. Factors
Three things seem to determine your likelihood of developing one of
these asbestos related diseases:
1. The amount and duration of exposure – the more you are exposed to asbestos and the
more fibers that enter your body, the more likely you are to develop asbestos related
problems. While there is no "safe level" of asbestos exposure, people who are exposed
more frequently over a long period of time are more at risk.
2. Whether or not you smoke – If you smoke and you have been exposed to asbestos,
you are far more likely to develop lung cancer than someone who does not smoke and
who has not been exposed to asbestos. If you work with asbestos or have been exposed
to it, the first thing you should do to reduce your chances of developing cancer is to stop
smoking.
3. Age – cases of mesothelioma have occurred in the children of asbestos workers
whose only exposures were from the dust brought home on the clothing of family
members who worked with asbestos. The younger people are when they inhale
asbestos, the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma.
This is why enormous efforts are being made to prevent school children from being
exposed.

20. How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure
• Follow your workplace safety procedures and pay attention to
asbestos warning signs.
• Always heed the labels on asbestos products or waste.
• Remember that good housekeeping practices are very effective in
reducing your exposure to asbestos.
• DO NOT DISTURB IT.

21. THANK YOU