Bakhtiyarpur college of engineering
MATERIALS TESTING
&
EVALUATION
ASBESTOS
Bakhtiyarpur college of engineering
Submitted to : DR RAJESH KUMAR
Presented by:
WHAT IS ASBESTOS
Naturally occurring mineral (rock)
Six types-chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, actinolite,
anthophylite and tremolite.
Fibrous structure. Long bundles of fibers subdivide into
tinier fibrils, like strands of fraying rope.
Found all around the world.
- The most commonly used is chrysotile, accounting for
95% of all ACM.
asbestos
asbestos found at
TYPES OF ASBESTOS
GOOD about ASBESTOS
Asbestos is
Fire resistant (a thermal insulator)
Chemical resistant
Electrical insulator
Bacteria resistant
Strong (high tensile strength)
Light-weight
Absorbs sound
Amosite form is water resistant
Asbestos has been used in thousands of building materials.
USES of ASBESTOS
Construction materials
Concrete
Siding
Roofing
Asphalt
Spray-on fireproofing
Wallboard and joint compound
Acoustical plaster
Vinyl floor tiles and mastic
Linoleum and mastic
Vinyl baseboard and mastic
Carpet mastic
Thermal system insulation (TSI)
HVAC insulation & seals
Ceiling panels and mastic
Non-construction related materials
Friction materials--automotive
elevator brake pads
and
Electrical insulators-- transite backer
panels
Laboratory equipment -- transite lab
tops, counters, panels, certain
chemistry equipment
Fire resistant materials --protective
suits, gloves
Miscellaneous --lamp wicks, fire
resistant cloth
USES of ASBESTOS with DIAGRAM
DEMERITS of ASBESTOS
The fibers are small, even microscopic. They can get through the
filter of a regular vacuum or dust-mask.
It's very light. Tiny fibers go airborne easily. They stay in the air a
long time.
It's easily inhaled.
It's odorless. It's not detected by smell.
It's strong. The body can't break it up.
It's chemically resistant. The body can't dissolve it.
It's bacterially resistant. Intestinal bacteria and white blood cells
can't break it down.
Asbestos fibers are long and sharp and stick in living tissue like
needles.
Once it's stuck in the body, it stays.
HUMAN BODY DEFENCES for ASBESTOS
These defences keep asbestos fibers from getting stuck in the body
Nasal hair
Mucus - a sticky substance in the nose & throat.
Fibers stick to mucus and are swallowed or
expelled.
Cough and Sneeze
Airway branching. With each branch the airflow
slows down. Fibers and dust settle out and are
brushed or coughed out.
Bronchial constriction slows airflow.
HIGHLY RISKY for workers
Workers who are occupationally exposed to asbestos are at greatest
risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
These would be people working in:
Mining asbestos or minerals mixed with asbestos
Manufacturing asbestos-containing materials (ACM)
Demolition of ACM
Insulating with ACMs or in areas with damaged ACM.
The OSHA and EPA asbestos regulations were written for these
people. Everyone else who's work brings them in contact with ACM
are swept in with them, even if their exposures are dramatically
lower than that of those occupationally exposed.
HEALTH EFFECTS of ASBESTOS
Three common diseases linked to asbestos exposure are:
Asbestosis
Mesothelioma
Lung Cancer
Everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during their life.
Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water and soil. Most people do not
become ill from their exposure.
People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a
regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or
through substantial environmental contact.
ASBESTOSIS
ASBESTOSIS is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling
asbestos fibres.
RISK: Minimal for those who do not work directly with
asbestos.
ONSET: Usually develops 1-20 years after initial exposure.
SYMPTOMS: Shortness of breath, a persistent, dry cough,
loss of appetite with weight loss, chest tightness and pain,
fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than
normal (clubbing).
MESOTHELIOMA
MESOTHELIOMA is a tumor that starts in the cells of the
mesothelium a membrane that covers and protects most of
your internal organs.
RISK: Has developed in individuals exposed to asbestos for as
little as 2 months and for as long as 50 years. Most people who
develop Mesothelioma have worked in jobs where they
inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers or were exposed to
airborne asbestos dust and fibers in other ways.
ONSET: The onset of this disease may occur after 15-55 years
for both long term and short term exposure
SYMPTOMS: Trouble breathing, pain under rib cage, painswelling-lumps in abdomen, unexplained weight loss
LUNG CANCER
LUNG CANCER is a malignant lung tumor
characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues
of the lung.
RISK: Exposure to asbestos fibers for 4-6 months
may be sufficient to cause lung cancer.
ONSET: Can appear after approximately 15-25
years, depending on the frequency and duration of
exposure.
SYMPTOMS: Coughing, coughing up blood, wheezing,
shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss