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Asbestos floor tiles


Since the discovery of the deadly effects asbestos has on health, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has created regulations to control the management, removal and disposal of asbestos material. One of the materials containing asbestos is vinyl floor tile (VAT). To handle them safely it is important to ensure that the material is in non-friable state. If the material is friable, the asbestos fibers can be freed when smashed. Generally, VAT is regarded as non-friable if it is not damaged.

When removing asbestos floor tiles, some problems might arise that can be potentially hazardous. Some of the difficulties that you will have to tackle are breathing through respirator which demands a greater effort from the heart and lungs. The vision is reduced because of the use of safety glasses.

The removal of VAT has to be done in whole pieces in order to be regarded as non-friable. It is vital that in the process of abatement the tiles are not sawed, drilled or reduced to dust.

Before starting the work, it is important to isolate other materials with a plastic cover to avoid the fibers to move. Place a different sheet of plastic in the area where the tiles are to be kept.

The material that is being removed should be wetted with a hose or any other tool to prevent them from becoming airborne. The tiles removed should be kept as intact pieces.

The tiles should be put in leak proof containers such as plastic bags and the sign “ DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAING MATERIALS” must be placed on the container.


Asbestos at school

The asbestos has arrived to schools. The ex students-athletes, coachers and outdoor maintenance workers of the Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, are being recommended to be checked for early signs of asbestos-related diseases.

This health check was suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for those who used or worked on the athletic fields, running track, dirt paths and baseball diamonds of that school, before 2004 -2005 school year.

On 2005, the school grounds were cemented and landscaped. In addition, the asbestos-laden soil was replaced from baseball diamonds. The federal Environmental Protection Agency completed this asbestos-containment work on the campus.

The school, which has about 1.800 students, was opened in 1984. Since that year on, all those who may have had some moderately long-standing contact with amphibole asbestos fibers before the improvement, are recommended to have that medical screening. The tremolite dust is the kind of asbestos widespread in El Dorado Hills and contains amphibole asbestos fibers. These fibers can cover the lungs, raising the danger of pleura disease and mesothelioma cancer.

Asbestos-related diseases typically do not turn out to be manifest until at least ten years or more after contact. Some of the symptoms can be coughing, shortness of breath and chest pain and doctors must pay attention to this if they are persistent.

After all the lessening efforts that have been put in the school, the district believes there is much less asbestos-exposure threat now on the foothills site.

Asbestos, how to be careful at home

Surely you already know what asbestos is, but just in case let us remind you of some important points. The asbestos are a type of mineral fibers that used to be utilized in some products in order to make them more resistant to cold and hot temperatures. Nowadays it is known that this material releases particles producing lung cancer when they are inhaled and it is forbidden.

Once you know this, another thing you have to know is that the asbestos is not just in factories but also in your home. The fibers of asbestos are in some roofs and tiles built up with asbestos cement. They also can be found in paintings and substances to cover holes in walls or ceilings. Some old hot water pipes might be covered with asbestos too. Ask a professional to take a look to your house in order to know if you and your family are in risk.

But asbestos can also be in smaller things that are closer to you. For example, chemical cleaning products like detergents, lubricators, disinfectants, etc. These products are part of your life and you can find hundreds of them in every home.

One of the most important things we can do is just follow the use instructions. If we do it, most of these products are inoffensive to us and to the environment. Besides, buy just the necessary, not extra; keep the product in its original package and never throw liquids into the trash can. Using, keeping and eliminating them well, will keep you safe.


Asbestos Explained |Here |Asbestos Management: Schools-Workplaces



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