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training / factsheets
Asbestos Awareness - Fatal Fibers
Asbestos
Although not common in recent times, for many years asbestos was a common
building component. It was considered the wonder mineral... cheap, plentiful,
heat resistant, and chemical resistant. For these reasons, asbestos was widely used in
many building materials. Although some buildings on campus have had the asbestos
removed, many asbestos-containing products still remain.
Health Risks
Intact asbestos materials do not
pose a health threat. But if the material becomes damaged or deteriorated, asbestos
fibers can be released into the air and inhaled. Asbestos fibers are inhaled through
the bronchial tubes to the bronchioles and are embedded in the alveoli. Exposure to
elevated levels of these microscopic fibers has been linked to lung cancer and other
serious health problems, such as asbestosis (excessive scar tissue on the lungs that
restricts breathing) and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the chest cavity).
The odds of getting asbestos-related illness increase with the level and duration of exposure.
Recognizing Asbestos Products
Common asbestos products include
floor tile, linoleum, pipe insulation, tank insulation, ceiling tiles, popcorn ceilings,
textured walls, fireproofing, lab counters, fume hoods, roofing shingles and tar, gaskets
on pipes, ovens, furnaces and other equipment.
Asbestos Inspection and Training
EH&S, in conjunction with Facilities
Operations, is systematically surveying the entire campus to determine
where asbestos products are located. In addition, EHS monitors asbestos
removal and repair to ensure that building occupants are not exposed
to asbestos fibers and conducts periodic asbestos awareness training to help
prevent accidental exposures to asbestos.
Asbestos Abatement
Facilities Operations ensures that
asbestos materials are handled in a safe manner. All suspect materials
are sampled prior to renovation and demolition projects. If asbestos is identified,
certified asbestos workers remove asbestos (abatement) in campus buildings
before routine construction and maintenance projects to ensure
that it is not accidentally damaged. In addition, to meet the goal of maintaining
asbestos in good condition, trained asbestos workers repair damaged
asbestos.
An asbestos warning sign will be posted at entrances to the
work area. If you see this sign, do not enter the area for any reason. Only trained,
authorized personnel may enter.
Avoiding Exposure
Possible asbestos containing materials
should not be disturbed so the fibers
do not become airborne. In general:
- Do not try to repair or renovate University
building space yourself
- Do not install equipment yourself that
requires connection to University facilities
(like pulling computer cable
through ceiling or wall spaces)
- Call for an inspection before starting a
project that could involve asbestos
Custodial and Maintenance Workers:
- Be careful not to damage building materials
and surfaces that may contain
asbestos
- Buff floors only if there is an adequate
amount of finish
- Strip floors using wet methods
- Wash windows only if the putty is in
good condition
- If you are asked to clean-up construction
debris, contact your supervisor first
- Report damaged ceilings, walls, pipe
insulation or other building surfaces to
your supervisor
- Avoid drilling through possible asbestos
containing material, moving suspended ceiling tiles, abrading
popcorn ceilings, cracking or scratching asbestos flooring, tearing
pipe insulation, or any other action that disturbs the matrix of the asbestos material.
If asbestos containing materials become damaged, do not attempt to clean it
up. Stay out of the area and report it to your supervisor. Supervisors will report
asbestos damage or debris to Facility Operations Construction Maintenance, who
will have trained asbestos workers clean up the debris and repair the material.
Getting Assistance
If you have questions about possible asbestos materials in your work area,
please contact EH&S at 335-3041. The WSU Asbestos Management Program is available online.
In addition, EH&S maintains an online database
of known asbestos-containing areas.
URL: http://www.ehs.wsu.edu/
FAQAsbestos.asp
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Revised
3/18/04
Reviewed
07/23/07
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