Asbestos, a known cancer causer, is found in over 3,000 products in the construction industry. Such products include sprayed acoustic ceilings, floor tile, sheet vinyl linoleum, heating duct insulation, exterior stucco texture coatings, pipe insulation, roofing products, appliance vent stacks, and many others. Potentially dangerous asbestos containing materials were used in almost every home, office building, school, hospital, and factory built prior to 1980.

Today, other materials are replacing asbestos. Asbestos use in now limited to products where the fibers are bound within the product, minimizing hazards.

How is Asbestos a Health Hazard?

Tiny, sharp asbestos fibers can become embedded in the lungs and digestive system. Once trapped, they can't be removed--but they can affect health.

"Friability" is the ability of a product to release fibers into the air when crumbled by simple hand pressure. If a product is "friable", tiny fibers can readily break away into a fine dust. These fibers can easily be inhaled or swallowed.

When tightly bound into a finished product, however, the material is considered "non-friable." The asbestos fibers can't be released unless the product is sawed, drilled or otherwise damaged.

Some Asbestos Related Diseases

• Asbestosis occurs when fibers accumulate in the lungs. These fibers cause permanent scarring, shortness of breath, and increased susceptibility to dangerous lung infections.
• Lung Cancer is a serious threat to workers who have been heavily exposed to asbestos.
• Mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane lining in the chest or abdominal cavity. It occurs almost exclusively among asbestos workers.
• Other Cancers associated with asbestos exposure occur in the digestive system; the esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum.

Additional information on Asbestos can be obtained by contacting Precision Environmental, Inc.