Asbestos
Asbestos came into popular use in the U.S. in the early 1900s due to its excellent tensile strength, insulating, workability & fireproofing materials. Asbestos was heavily used in most building & construction materials.
In the 1970s, it became apparent that asbestos posed serious health hazards to human lungs. The diagnosis of diseases and cancers that are specific to exposure led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to institute heavy regulations on both the production and the disposal of asbestos containing materials.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of six different types of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos minerals are made up of fine, durable fibers which are resistant to heat, fire and many chemicals. However, any exposure to the group of minerals can lead to pleural mesothelioma and other diseases such as lung cancer or asbestosis.
Where do you find Asbestos
Asbestos can be found in materials such as:
- Insulation
- Flooring
- Acoustic Ceilings
- Roofing Material and Joint Compounds
- Coatings
- Dry Wall and Taping Mud
- Many more; products with Asbestos are almost too many to list
What are the health effects of Asbestos?
The human health effects of long-term exposure are well documented. Asbestos fibers can easily be inhaled and carried into the lower regions of the lungs, which can cause fibrotic lung disease (asbestosis) and changes in the lining of the chest cavity (pleura).
How is someone exposed to Asbestos?
People are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to:
- High concentrations of asbestos
- Are exposed for longer periods of time
- Or are exposed to asbestos frequently
Licensed Asbestos Consultants and only an asbestos abatement contractor licensed by the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration may perform asbestos removal.
License #I-1900
License #I-2122
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