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Asbestos, Lead & PCB ’ s

Asbestos, Lead & PCB ’ s. James Biddle, MS, CIH Northern Arizona University Environmental, Health & Safety. What is Asbestos? A Rock!. Naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral. Most common types of asbestos are Chrysotile Amosite Crocidolite

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Asbestos, Lead & PCB ’ s

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  1. Asbestos, Lead & PCB’s James Biddle, MS, CIH Northern Arizona University Environmental, Health & Safety

  2. What is Asbestos? A Rock! • Naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral. Most common types of asbestos are • Chrysotile • Amosite • Crocidolite • Composed of tiny fibers too small to see. • Has been added to many common building materials due to it’s beneficial physical properties

  3. What is Asbestos?

  4. It’s a Mineral We Mine

  5. http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/chrysotile.html CHRYSOTILE NAME: ChrysotileCOUNTY: Gila REMAINS: Six mining buildings still standing, one modern building. Very large tailings pile, many mines. Chrysotile's post office was established June 27, 1916, and discontinued July 15, 1933. Asbestos was the mainstay of the Chrysotile mine located in Ash Creek. Chrysotile is named for the type of asbestos that was mined. In particular, asbestos from Chrysotile was used in the building of Hoover dam in Nevada.

  6. Chrysotile Arizona

  7. Mine Tailings at Chrysotile

  8. Processed Canadian Asbestos

  9. Chrysotile Asbestos

  10. History of Asbestos • Known and used in ancient world more than 5000 years ago • Finland • Egypt • Greece • The word “asbestos” comes from Greeks… translates to “inextinguishable” • Rome • Slaves would wear makeshift respirators while weaving asbestos cloth to prevent sickness • China

  11. The Start of Modern Usage • Modern asbestos industry began in 1880 when chrysotile asbestos was first mined in Canada and Russia • Products included fireproof shingles, steam boiler insulation, cement compounds • Most extensive use of asbestos began with WWII

  12. WWII • During WWII, asbestos used heavily in ship construction and other military products • After the war, capacity used for industrial, commercial, residential applications • Eventually, asbestos was added to thousands of different building products and commercial items

  13. Today • Found in a number of products imported into USA • Asbestos cement (transite) (Mexico) • Vinyl asbestos floor tile (China) • Sheetrock (Mexico) • Henry’s Roof Mastic (Canada) In general, US based companies don’t use asbestos anymore, but never banned in USA

  14. Why was so much Asbestos installed in buildings? • Many desirable properties • Fire resistant • Sound absorbing • Chemical resistant • Friction resistant • Mechanically strong • Electrically resistant • Bacterially resistant

  15. Some Other Asbestos-containing Materials (ACM) Roofing shingles Fireproofing Thermal pipe insulation Glues or mastics Acoustical insulation Ceiling tiles Floor tiles Siding Window caulking Cove base Fire curtains Paints Sheet vinyl Transite pipe Sheet rock Textiles Rugs and carpets Hair dryers Ovens Car brakes

  16. A Few Products with Asbestos…

  17. Fire Blanket (Retired from NAU in 2007)

  18. Vinyl Floor Tile

  19. Linoleum

  20. Pipe Gasket Material

  21. Roofing Materials

  22. Pipe insulation

  23. Drywall Systems

  24. Fireproofing

  25. When is asbestos dangerous? • When you breathe or ingest it. • When asbestos gets in air, you can breathe it in • Easy to get asbestos into air where it can be inhaled during the following activities • Saw • Nail • Crush • Drill • Cut • Tear

  26. 1949 Protective Equipment: (Bib overalls and a head cover)

  27. Health Effects

  28. A Few Statistics The Asbestos Epidemic Deaths from Asbestos-related diseases Disease Number of deaths per year Mesothelioma 2,509 Asbestosis 1,398 Lung Cancer 4,800 G-I tract cancer 1,200 Total 9,907

  29. A Few Statistics (cont.)

  30. A Few Statistics (cont.)

  31. Asbestos Diseases • Asbestosis (White Lung Disease) • 15-30 years latency • Lung Cancer • 20-30 years latency • Mesothelioma • 30-40 years latency • 100% fatal within 12-18 months • Other cancers (including stomach, intestinal, and esophageal cancers)

  32. Are you safe? • The answer is YES • As long as asbestos is not disturbed, it cannot harm you • Following safe work practices will ensure asbestos is not disturbed • If you see disturbed asbestos, please notify Regulatory Compliance immediately. We will address the problem

  33. How much asbestos is safe? • OSHA sets limit of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter, averaged over 8 hours • 1 cubic centimeter is about equal to the size of a sugar cube • OSHA sets another limit of 1.0 f/cc, averaged over 30 minutes to limit heavier short-term exposure

  34. “Get The Lead Out”

  35. Processes that Use Lead Exposure to lead occurs in at least 120 different occupations including • Primary and secondary lead smelting • Lead-storage battery manufacturing 2a

  36. Processes that Use Lead (cont.) • Lead-pigment manufacturing and use (paints) • Solder manufacturing and use • Shipbuilding/repairing 2b

  37. Processes that Use Lead (cont.) • Auto manufacturing • Printing 2c

  38. How lead enters the body • Inhalation • Ingestion • Generally not absorbed through skin (unless organic; ethyl/methyl lead) 18a

  39. Effects of “acute” overexposure • Large dosages can kill in a matter of days • Acute encephalopathy can lead to seizures, coma, and cardiorespiratory arrest 19a

  40. Damage to Blood-forming system Nervous system Kidneys Urinary system Reproductive systems Effects of “chronic” overexposure 20a

  41. Regulations over the Years…. • 1971-Lead Based Paint Poison Prevention Act (LBPPA) targeting HUD homes only • 1978-Consumer Product Safety Commission bans use of LBP in residences • 1987-abatement of all LBP in HUD homes • 1995-Guidance Publication on testing and abatement in non-HUD residences • Not much since then, until….

  42. Here’s the latest…. • March 31, 2008-EPA sets new rule for contractors during LBP disturbance activities • By April 2010, contractors must be certified through proper training from accredited entity • Applies to work involving renovation, repair, and painting projects in homes, schools, and child-care facilities built before 1978 (Non-HUD Facilities)

  43. Occupational Safety & Health Administration • Construction regulation on lead applies to all occupational exposure to lead where applicable; employers must protect their employees • OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62 • It’s the law! 1a

  44. Polychlorinated Biphenyls “PCBs”

  45. Chemical Structure • Trade Names • Aroclor • Inclor • Fenclor • Many others….

  46. Properties • Non-flammable • Chemically stable • High-boiling point • Excellent electrical insulation • properties

  47. PCB Uses • Electrical Transformers • Capacitors • Heat Transfer Equipment • Hydraulic Equipment • Pigments, Dyes, Paints • Caulking • Adhesives, Tapes • Cable Insulation

  48. History • Manufacturing started in 1929 (release • to atmosphere) • Banned in 1979 • Some old materials containing PCBs • still out there (light ballasts, caulking, paint) • Regulated under the Toxic Substances • Control Act (“TSCA”), 40 CFR 761 • Environmental exposure predominantly via soil and water

  49. Health Effects • Carcinogen • (to animals, probable in humans) • Toxic to • Immune system • Reproductive system • Nervous system • Endocrine system • Very persistent in environment, can • travel long distances and reach • groundwater

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