Asbestos is a name given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength that have the ability to be woven and have resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of asbestos’ properties, it has been used and is still used in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products and asbestos cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brakes and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packing, gaskets and coatings.
The most common sources of asbestos exposures are in the workplace, where people come in direct connect with it because they work in industries that mine it, process it or use it in products they manufacture:
- the construction industry (particularly building demolition and renovation activities),
- the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials), and
- during automotive brake, clutch repair work.
From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, it has been determined that breathing high levels of asbestos fiber can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity) and asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue. The risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is greater for a person that smokes. People who get asbestosis have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until 20 to 30 years after first exposure to asbestos.
When asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers may become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where there is the potential of causing significant health problems.
It is a common misconception that all ACM have been discontinued in the marketplace. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates asbestos through two federal laws:
- The Clean Air Act (CAA) [National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants, NESHAP] and
- The Toxic Substance Control Act, TSCA [Asbestos Ban and Phaseout Rules].
While the general exposure of ACM has been significantly reduced, it still does exist in the workplace, general environment, and the home. There are still a large amount of buildings and a number of consumer products that contain asbestos.
At the University we take the potential for asbestos exposure very seriously. Over the years, the UTHealth Office of Environmental Health & Safety and Facilities, Planning and Engineering have conducted a program to identify ACM within the university environment and evaluate the best course of action. Trained and licensed UTHealth employees and outside licensed asbestos contractors follow federal and states regulations to remove or contain ACM found in the University’s facilities. If there are ever any concerns of potential contact with ACM, please contact EH&S at 713-500-8100.
Additional References: Basic Information – Asbestos – www.epa.gov/asbestos and Asbestos in Your Home – www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html