How do I Reduce the Risk of Asbestos?

Prolonged asbestos exposure has been correlated with lung diseases as serious as cancer. It has been used in a variety of commercial products, such as piping and insulation, so it can be found in many older buildings. Asbestos exposure risk is best reduced by avoiding asbestos altogether. Indeed, this is the only proven way to avoid asbestos risk. This means that to reduce your asbestos risk simply avoid situations where you may come in contact with asbestos for a long period of time. If you do find yourself in this situation, you need to take steps to remove the asbestos.

Instructions

Occupational Risk

• 1

  Avoid getting into jobs where asbestos exposure is likely. These include construction, firefighting, mining, shipbuilding, and teaching---essentially any job where you may find yourself around old building materials.

• 2

  Inform someone the moment you find asbestos in your job. It can only be identified by a lab, but any fiber made up of bundles that easily separates into long, thin pieces is suspect.

• 3

  Ensure that your employer is ventilating the affected area and providing all necessary protective gear, which includes respirators and gloves.

In the Home

• 4

  Take a sample of suspected asbestos fibers. Use gloves, and put your sample in a plastic bag.

• 5

  Take your suspected asbestos sample to a lab.

• 6

  Ensure the lab you use is approved (see "Resources").

• 7

  Hire a contractor to remove the asbestos. He should be wearing the gear mentioned above.

• 8

  Have the air periodically sampled after the asbestos is removed to ensure it was done correctly. The lab you sent it to should have people on hand to do this; if not, they will know where to send you.