Hazard 4: Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF Healthy Home Rating System (HHRS) 2015 1
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF • A fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics. • It is used in building construction for its strength, fire resistance, and insulation. 2 2015
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF Dangers • Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to lung disease. • When disturbed, tiny abrasive asbestos fibers are easily inhaled, which damages lung tissue and can cause cancer and may not be detected up to 5 years. 3 2015
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF • Danger comes from asbestos material that has been damaged over time. Asbestos that crumbles easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder is likely to release asbestos fibers and create a health hazard. • If you suspect a part of your home may contain asbestos, check periodically for tears, abrasions or water damage. If you discover slightly damaged material, limit access to the area and do not touch or disturb it. 2015 4
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF • Many asbestos products have been banned, and manufacturers have voluntarily limited use of asbestos in many products. However, asbestos can still be found in a variety of materials today. 2015 5
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF Where asbestos can be found Homes built prior to 1975, asbestos is most commonly found as thermal insulation on basement boilers and pipes. Asbestos can also be located: • Vinyl floor tiles – Glue that attaches floor tiles to concrete or wood • Blown in attic insulation • Some forms of linoleum • Window caulking and glazing • Roofing material (usually on flat roofs but occasionally on shingles) 6 2015
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF Where asbestos can be found cont. • HVAC duct insulation (usually found in corrugated or flat paper form) • Siding material • Plaster • Fiber cement siding (usually 1/8 " thick and 8'x4' brittle) • Corrugated heavy duty 8'x4' panels • Some forms of paint 2015 7
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF Asbestos Safety Tips • Do take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material. • Don't dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. • Don't saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials. • Don't use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring. Never use a power stripper on a dry floor. • Don't sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floorcovering over it, if possible. 8 2015
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF Asbestos Safety Tips Cont. • Do limit access to areas with damaged materials that may contain asbestos. • Don't track material that could contain asbestos through the house. If you cannot avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet mop. If the material is from a damaged area, or if a large area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional. • Do have removal and major repair done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by asbestos professionals. 9 2015
Asbestos, Silica and Other MMF • Remember that the mere presence of asbestos in your home is not hazardous. Generally, material in good condition will not release asbestos fibers and disturbing it may create a health hazard where none existed before. The best thing to do with asbestos material in good condition is LEAVE IT ALONE! 10 2015
Healthy Home Rating System Project Leadership Lyke Thompson Carrie Beth Lasley Angie Sarb David Ormandy Director Research Associate Research Assistant Professorial Fellow CUS/WSU CUS/WSU CUS/WSU University of Warwick (313) 577-5209 (313) 577-9280 (313) 577-8911 +44 (0) 76524 936 ad5122@wayne.edu cblasley@wayne.edu angie.sarb@wayne.edu david.ormandy@warwick.ac.uk 2015 11
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