What Is Asbestos?

The naturally occurring mineral asbestos has certain unique qualities that make it suitable for a number of specific purposes. These qualities were nicely put to use by the building and construction industry where asbestos was used for protection against fire, thermal insulation, acoustical insulation, and for strengthening other materials. Soon, asbestos naturally found its way into a number of commonly used household appliances like irons, ironing pads, toasters, ovens, slow-cookers, dishwashers, cloth dryers, range hoods etc.

Most household appliances that contain asbestos are quite safe because the asbestos fibers in them are literally locked in the solid material covering them. However, if asbestos fibers are exposed to air, they start becoming dangerous. Even so, the risk of exposure to asbestos is quite negligible from old asbestos containing appliances.

Risks of Asbestos Exposure to Workers

The actual risk to installers and mechanics comes from the asbestos material that is in the construction material used on the premises that they are working on. Up until the early 1950s, asbestos was used in all sorts of construction materials ranging from cement wallboards, sidings, insulation, floor tiles, roofing, plaster, texture paints, wall coatings, spray-on insulation, roof shingles, fire doors, adhesives, vinyl wall coverings, and joint compounds. Mechanics and installers usually have to drill through, cut, or break building materials when they install appliances in buildings. Grinding, sanding, cutting, or drilling asbestos-reinforced material releases fine asbestos dust. This can be lethal to the human body.

Almost every one of us is exposed to some amount of asbestos from time to time. However, those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often through their jobs, run high risks of asbestos exposure. Indoor air released from asbestos-reinforced housing material is a major health concern.

Medical research has already revealed that exposure to asbestos dust can be injurious to health. Exposure generally happens when handling asbestos fibers in work environments. Asbestos exposure is a serious health hazard. If you have been vulnerable to asbestos exposure for any period of time, however brief, contact us.