Asbestos

Asbestos has been used for decades in the development of thousands of commercial products. The term "asbestos" is not a mineralogical term but a commercial name given to a group of minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. These minerals have been used in many products, including insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials.

The asbestos minerals have a tendency to separate into microscopic-size particles that can remain in the air and are easily inhaled. Persons occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer. Although the use of asbestos and asbestos products has dramatically decreased, they are still found in many residential and commercial settings and continue to pose a health risk to workers and others.

Some of these products still are for sale or may be in consumers' homes. Handling these products may release asbestos fibers; breathing asbestos fibers is known to cause cancer. If these products must be handled:

· Wear a respirator approved for use with asbestos.

· Do not dry sweep. Use wet procedures for clean up. Dispose of any residue or unused material along with the clean-up materials in a manner that will not release airborne fibers. To get information on how to dispose of asbestos, call the Environmental Protection Agency (800-368-5888) and ask for your regional asbestos coordinator.

· Do not use power operated or other tools to cut or drill because this can create asbestos dust clouds.

· Keep these products out of the reach of children.

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission & National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

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