Asbestos and the Environmental Effects - 986 Words

Hazardous materials can be silent killers, almost every household or workplace contains various harmful substances therefore it is important to have the basic knowledge of these contaminants, where to find them, and what to do if exposed. Asbestos is a natural occurring mineral that is used in a number of different materials. Asbestos is not a concern if left undisturbed; however renovation, reconstruction or demolition can disturb these materials and release asbestos fibers into the air. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and become trapped in lung tissue which increases the risk for several serious diseases. Asbestos is a well recognized health hazard and is highly regulated. A natural mineral asbestos has been mined and†¦show more content†¦After 1973 there was a huge reduction in asbestos use although the devastation before that time will be with us for years. Once the dangers of asbestos became more understood, many responsible government agencies sought to limit or ba n the use of asbestos and regulate asbestos exposure. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring asbestos levels in workplaces and communities, and has banned the use of asbestos in new products since 1989. Asbestos removal is an expensive and hazardous process. Situations where removal may be required including remodeling, major structural changes, if the asbestos material is damaged and can not be repaired. Repair usually involves sealing or covering the asbestos material and only effective for undamaged asbestos containing materials. Repair is just a temporary measure and all asbestos will eventually have to be removed. Removal is complex, and should (in many cases, legally must) be done only by a contractor with special training and licenses. Improper removal may increase the health risks to those exposed. In addition, the asbestos removed must be managed according to the state and federal asbestos regulations and a notification to the Environmental ProtectionShow MoreRelatedSilent Spring By Rachel Carson Essay1720 Words   |  7 Pagesthought could not be harmful was asbestos. Asbestos Network defines asbestos as, â€Å"A disease cause by exposure to asbestos fibers.† Asbestos fibers are artificially created by humans often use during various man-made construction projects to make stable interiors to create buildings. Asbestos fibers were high in production due to humans finding many purposes for the chemical (Asbestos Network). The authors of Asbestos.com gives some examples of items that contains asbestos such as â€Å"Insulation for electricRead MoreAsbestos Poisoning1056 Words   |  5 PagesASBESTOS POISONING I. ABSTRACT Asbestos poisoning also called as  asbestosis  is an interstitial pulmonary fibrosis that is caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos containing materials break down or disturbed, its microscopic fibers become airborne that can easily be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health concerns in the long run. II. THESIS STATEMENT Asbestos poisoning is the impact that asbestos exposure can have on humans. Its toxicity stems from the fact that the microscopicRead MoreEnvironmental Management Plan833 Words   |  3 PagesPlan The aim of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is to protect the environment and comply with environment legislation. EMP is also developed to ensure that all required measures are identified and are implemented before and during the construction phase. The contractors responsibility is to protect the environment from its activities and requires the same commitment from the suppliers for the development and implementation of the EMP. To prepare a site specific Environmental Management PlanRead MoreTechniques Used For Salvage A Performance Or Interaction That Is Going Sour1116 Words   |  5 PagesE.) Face-saving behavior/pg.113: techniques used to salvage a performance or interaction that is going sour. In the film about what happened in the asbestos disaster in Libby, Montana gives us a major display of face saving behavior that is almost sickening to watch. We see this behavior come out in the tapes from the court case in which the owner of W. R. Grace was being questioned on the events that had transpired in the years in which the plant in Libby was active. The prosecutors begin to questionRead MoreAsbestos And Its Effects On Society1515 Words   |  7 Pages Asbestos is a small set of minerals that occur naturally in the environment. These minerals are silicate compounds, which means they contain silicon and oxygen; they form as groups of fibers that can easily be separated. These fibers are very durable, as they show a strong resistance to many common chemicals, heat and electricity. This made asbestos appear be a useful chemical for products used in a wide range of industries, so much that the United States military mandated its use in its branchesRead MoreAsbestos And Its Effects On Asbestos1230 Words   |  5 PagesAsbestos in Mining Asbestos is defined as a fiber that includes six different types of minerals; chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. â€Å"Chrysotile is the main form of asbestos used in about 95 percent of the world† (Ramazzini). All forms of asbestos are known carcinogens which pose severe consequences if exposed. Exposure to asbestos consequently causes mesothelioma, lung, and even ovarian cancer. It is typically acknowledged for its heat resistance and insulatingRead MoreThe Effects Of Pollutants On The Environment866 Words   |  4 Pagesand could take several pathways. Pollutants can have acute or chronic effects, which depend on the concentration and type of pollutant and also the duration in which an organism has been exposed to the pollutant. The pollutants effects, such as asbestos, could take a long time to arise, for example, a person exposed to asbestos could develop a chronic lung condition as the asbestos could accumulate in their lungs and the effects of this could occur for a long time (Doll and Peto, 1985). In comparisonRead MoreSafe Disposal Of Insulation Material1555 Words   |  7 Pagesto humans and environmental hazards to the environment which will be discussed in a bit more detail further on, and also a brief look at how and why insulating materials were used in different purposes within electrical networks and different types of insulating materials used across Australia. Insulating materials come in all forms shapes and sizes, be it solid material, gas or oil each material has a certain use. Some of the solid or fibrous insulating materials include; Asbestos, Wood, PVC (poly-vinylRead MoreLung Cancer Outline649 Words   |  3 PagesCancer |General Purpose: |To inform | |Specific Purpose: |To inform readers on the causes, effects and treatments of lung cancer. | | | | INTRODUCTION SLIDES I. What is lung cancerRead MoreMorbidity: Lung Cancer1672 Words   |  7 Pagesmanner is Cancer. So far so, there has been no cure for Cancer but some medicines and treatments are now available which can slow down and in some cases can even alter the effects of Cancer, depending on the stage at which the disease is at that moment. For this paper however we would concentrate on Lung Cancer and its effects. Lung Cancer, like any other type of cancer, is the uncontrollable growth of cells in the lung tissue. The main causes that contribute to lung cancer include inhaling carcinogens