Asbestos: A Comprehensive Review

Brian LawNovember 1, 2009

PUBH 6165

Focus Group (Stakeholders) Physicians, oncologists, cancer

researchers, industrial employers and employees, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, building inspectors, miners, nurses, social workers, cancer patients, epidemiologists, government officials, homeowners, real estate workers, maintenance workers, community leaders, citizens of all ages, etc.

What is Asbestos? Consists of naturally occurring fibrous minerals

commonly found in soil and rocks in many parts of the world

Characteristics include its tensile strength, ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and other chemicals

Various forms include chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite (EPA).

The fibers are described as very small and cannot be seen with the human eye (Asbestos)

What is Asbestos? (Continued)

Images (from the Asbestos News website)

Brief History of Asbestos Named by the Greeks, ‘asbestos’

meaning ‘inextinguishable’ because of its resistance to heat and fire (Asbestos Resource Center).

The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th century lead to a tremendous increase in asbestos usage; common uses included insulation for steam pipes, turbines, boilers, ovens, and other products of high temperature (Ring Surf).

First Incidence of Asbestos First diagnosis of asbestos-related lung disease

occurred in 1924 An English woman working with asbestos since the

age of thirteen; she died at age thirty-three, due to asbestosis; her death prompted a study in England on asbestos workers

25% of the workers showed evidence of asbestos-related disease

Laws were passed in 1931 for the increase of ventilation and establishing asbestosis as an excusable work-related disease (Asbestos Resource Center

Common Uses of Asbestos Insulation for buildings and materials

such as factories, schools, houses, ships steam pipes, furnace ducts,

Create automobile brake and clutch parts, roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, cement, textiles, millboard, soundproofing, decorative materials, etc.

70% of asbestos production worldwide is used in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia (EPA).

Health Effects Associated With Asbestos Exposure

Lung Cancer – symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.

Mesothelioma – cancer of the chest lining and abdominal cavity.

Asbestosis – scarring of the lung tissues by the asbestos fibers that are inhaled (EPA).

Latency period – asbestos fibers can remain in the human body for many years and eventually contribute to disease. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases usually do not appear for about 10 to 30 years.

Other forms of cancer such as colon, larynx, and stomach cancer are reported to be caused by asbestos exposure, however, statistical evidence is insufficient in verifying this (American Cancer Society).

Methods of Human Exposure

Inhalation of asbestos fibers in the air during mining, processing asbestos, producing asbestos-containing products, or installation of asbestos insulation.

Deterioration of old materials containing asbestos, which can create dust of small particles in the air.

Maintenance workers who sweep up asbestos or handle damaged items that has asbestos are often exposed to higher levels than other people in a building or facility.

Human ingestion via consumption of contaminated foods and liquids.

Contaminated water supply via erosion or natural deposits, corrosion from asbestos-cement pipes, and the breaking of roofing materials that are transferred to sewers.

Family members of asbestos workers – inhalation of asbestos fibers lingering on the workers’ clothing (American Cancer Society).

Statistical Facts About 125 million people worldwide are

exposed to asbestos in the workplace. At least 90,000 people die annually from

asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

All types of asbestos are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as being carcinogenic to people (WHO).

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has also classified asbestos as a carcinogen.

Statistical Facts (Continued) Higher exposure to asbestos is linked to higher

risks of lung cancer. About 1 in 7 people diagnosed with asbestosis

eventually develops lung cancer. Smokers, in addition to being exposed to asbestos,

are also at high risk for lung cancer. According to results from experimental testing of

asbestos exposure on rats and hamsters, it has been confirmed that all forms of asbestos have produced tumors in animals, thus confirming that exposure to asbestos can also contribute to cancer in animals (American Cancer Society).

Data from the EWG (Environmental Working Group)

Prevention Measures and Recommendations by WHO (World Health

Organization) Encourage ceasing the use of asbestos as the

most efficient method for preventing asbestos-related diseases.

Provide information regarding safer substitute fiber materials that have little or no risk to health.

Improve early diagnosis, treatment, medical recovery, and establish registries of people with past and/or current exposures to asbestos.

Develop national profiles, increase awareness, capacity building, an institutional framework, and a national plan of action to eradicate asbestos-related disease (WHO).

Community Recommendations

Educate home inhabitants that materials that are in good condition won’t release asbestos fibers, and not a threat to health.

Look for signs of damaged materials (e.g. wearing, tearing, abrasions, or water damage), which can release asbestos fibers; avoid hitting, rubbing, or handling damaged materials, especially if they are exposed to vibration or air flow.

Discard damaged or worn asbestos gloves, stove-top pads, or ironing board covers.

Community Recommendations (Continued)

Check with local health and environmental professionals to obtain information on proper handling and disposal procedures for damaged items containing asbestos.

Asbestos material management: repair and removal Sealing (encapsulation – treating the material with a

sealant that prevents emission of asbestos fibers) Covering (enclosure – placing a protective coating

over or around the material to prevent release of asbestos fibers); it is strongly recommended to request an asbestos professional to do the repairs (American Cancer Society).

Prevention Recommendations for Homeowners

Minimize activities in any area with damaged asbestos materials.

Avoid dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming debris that may contain asbestos

Remove dust by wet mopping or with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos contractors.

Removals or repairs of materials should be handled by asbestos professionals who are able to conduct home inspections, obtain samples of suspected materials, assess their conditions and suggest the appropriate corrections (American Cancer Society).

What if you are exposed to asbestos?

Obtain regular medical checkups from doctors with experiences in asbestos-related diseases.

Avoid further exposure to asbestos. Avoid or cease smoking because of it can

increase your risks of asbestos-related diseases, accompanied by exposure to asbestos fibers.

Workers need to use all protective equipment, and implement work practices and safety procedures (American Cancer Society).

Governmental Action Addressing Asbestos

NPEAD (National Programme for the Elimination of Asbestos-Related Disease) – implements strategic action for eliminating asbestos-related disease; describes long-term objectives and targets, and the institutional framework for action and the direction guidelines for raising awareness and building capacity (WHO).

EPA (Environmental Protection Policy) established regulations on control of asbestos through the Toxic Substances Control Action. Refer to link for details: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/ch53.html

Governmental Action (Continued)

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, established by Congress in 1986 in response to the alarming rates of asbestos exposure among school students and school employees, provide federal regulations which require inspection for materials containing asbestos and initiate appropriate response actions in the Nation’s schools in a safe manner.

Online Resources on Asbestos

American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Asbestos.asp?sitearea=PED

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

Environmental Working Group (EWG): http://reports.ewg.org/reports/asbestos/facts/index.php

Asbestos Resource Center: http://www.asbestosresource.com/

Landers, Jay. (2009). U.S. EPA declares asbestos site a public health emergency. Civil Engineering, 79(10), 16-19.

CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). (2008). Asbestos-related years of potential life lost before age 65 years – United States, 1968-2005. MMWR Weekly, 57(49), 1321-1325.

References EPA (Environmental Protection Policy). (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2009 from

http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/ Asbestos. (2009). Retrieved October 30, 2009 from http://www.asbestos.com/ Asbestos Resource Center. (2009). History of asbestos. Retrieved October 30, 2009

from http://www.asbestosresource.com/ Ringsurf. (2009). Asbestos. Retrieved October 31, 2009 from

http://www.ringsurf.com/online/2059-asbestos.html American Cancer Society. (2006). Asbestos. Retrieved October 31, 2009 from

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Asbestos.asp?sitearea=PED EWG(Environmental Working Group). (n.d.). Asbestos facts. Retrieved October 31,

2009 from http://reports.ewg.org/reports/asbestos/facts/ WHO (World Health Organization). (2006). Elimination of asbestos-related diseases.

Retrieved November 1, 2009 from http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/asbestosrelateddiseases.pdf

WHO (World Health Organization). (2006). Outline for the development of national programs for elimination of asbestos-related diseases. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/Out_NPEAD_ENG.pdf

Asbestos News. (2009). Asbestos pictures. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from http://www.asbestosnews.com/html/asbestos_pic.html