Other MMF Healthy Home Rating System (HHRS) 2015 1 Asbestos, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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.

2015 2

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.

2015 3

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)

2015 6

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.

2015 8

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.

2015 9

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!

2015 10

Healthy Home Rating System Project Leadership

2015

Lyke Thompson Director CUS/WSU (313) 577-5209 ad5122@wayne.edu Carrie Beth Lasley Research Associate CUS/WSU (313) 577-9280 cblasley@wayne.edu Angie Sarb Research Assistant CUS/WSU (313) 577-8911 angie.sarb@wayne.edu David Ormandy Professorial Fellow University of Warwick +44 (0) 76524 936 david.ormandy@warwick.ac.uk

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