U.S.
Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin issued a statement urging Americans to
learn and take precautions against the dangers of asbestos as part of Asbestos Awareness Week which took place
April 1 – April 7.
The
World Health Organization estimates that over 107,000 people die each year from
asbestos-related disease--10,000 of those deaths occurring in the US. Almost all
of us are exposed to very low levels
of asbestos in the air, but most will never develop an asbestos-related disease
unless directly exposed to higher concentrations.
Asbestos
is banned in over 50 countries throughout the world including most of Europe
and all of Australia. Asbestos has not yet been banned in the United States,
most of South America, China and Asia. Mining for asbestos is banned in the US,
but asbestos is still imported and used in a wide range of products.
These days, most exposures to asbestos occur from
renovations performed on buildings and homes built before the 1980s, automotive
work and clean-up from natural disasters. Asbestos
fibers are invisible and most people are unaware that it is present in the air
they are breathing.
The following is a list of “usual suspects” for
containing asbestos:
- Roofing materials
- Popcorn ceilings
- Drywall and drywall mud
- Vinyl and linoleum
floor tiles
- Cementious or transite
pipe
- Wall or ceiling
insulation
- Textured paint and
patching compounds used on wall and ceilings
- Walls and floors around
wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
- Hot water and steam
pipe insulation
- Oil and coal furnaces
and door gaskets
- Automotive brakes and
clutches
This informative video shows in detail what to
look out for in the home if you suspect asbestos is present.
If you suspect asbestos is present, do not
disturb it, and contact an accredited asbestos abatement professional who can
let you know whether it is safely contained or if it presents a danger to you
and your family.
For more information on asbestos please visit the
Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
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