Asbestos ChE 562 – 10/6/04 Debbie Schuttenhelm

Outline What is asbestos? What is asbestos? Positives – insulation and fire prevention Positives – insulation and fire prevention Negatives – health risks Negatives – health risks Laws and legislation Laws and legislation Urban legends, politics, public opinion Urban legends, politics, public opinion Conclusions Conclusions

What is asbestos? Class of fibrous silicate minerals Class of fibrous silicate minerals Used for various purposes since ancient times Used for various purposes since ancient times Intentionally used by itself or accidentally used in contaminated vermiculite Intentionally used by itself or accidentally used in contaminated vermiculite Widespread use began in US in 1930s, peaked in 1973 Widespread use began in US in 1930s, peaked in 1973

Types and differences Chrysotile – “white” Chrysotile – “white” Discovered 1850 Quebec Discovered 1850 Quebec Amosite – “brown” Amosite – “brown” Discovered in 1907 South Africa Discovered in 1907 South Africa Crocidolite – “blue” Crocidolite – “blue” Discovered in 1805 South Africa Discovered in 1805 South Africa

Chemical structure Chrysotile - Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 Chrysotile - Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 Amosite - (Fe 2+ Mg) 5 Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 Amosite - (Fe 2+ Mg) 5 Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 Crocidolite - Na 2 (Fe 2+ Mg) 3 Fe 3+ Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 Crocidolite - Na 2 (Fe 2+ Mg) 3 Fe 3+ Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2

Crystalline structure

Why we like asbestos Fire prevention Fire prevention Ceiling panels, structural steelwork Ceiling panels, structural steelwork Insulation Insulation Pipes and boilers Pipes and boilers Electronics Electronics Tough, durable fibers Tough, durable fibers Cement Cement Clothing and fabrics Clothing and fabrics

Why we dislike asbestos First suggested as dangerous in 1897 First suggested as dangerous in 1897 Studies in s pointed to severe health risks Studies in s pointed to severe health risks Hard to diagnose and treat because of latency period in symptoms Hard to diagnose and treat because of latency period in symptoms Linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer Linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer

Asbestosis Noncancerous scarring of lung tissue Noncancerous scarring of lung tissue Requires long term, heavy exposure to airborne asbestos fibers Requires long term, heavy exposure to airborne asbestos fibers Mainly found in mine workers and family Mainly found in mine workers and family First case discovered in 1920s First case discovered in 1920s By in 4 asbestos workers afflicted By in 4 asbestos workers afflicted 1946 discovered in end users of asbestos products 1946 discovered in end users of asbestos products

Mesothelioma Rare cancer of linings of chest and abdominal cavity Rare cancer of linings of chest and abdominal cavity Usually fatal within one year Usually fatal within one year Estimated 250,000 new cases in EU in next 35 years Estimated 250,000 new cases in EU in next 35 years

Asbestos-related deaths

US laws 1989 EPA ban, overturned by appeals court in EPA ban, overturned by appeals court in 1991 Regulation falls under multiple environmental acts and control agencies Regulation falls under multiple environmental acts and control agencies Partial and conditional bans on some uses of ACMs Partial and conditional bans on some uses of ACMs Provide loose guidelines for safe removal Provide loose guidelines for safe removal

World laws As of 2002 banned in 36 countries As of 2002 banned in 36 countries European countries began bans in 1985 European countries began bans in 1985 Full ban for EU , implement by 2005 Full ban for EU , implement by 2005 Dec 31, 2003 ban on import and sale of chyrsotile to Australia Dec 31, 2003 ban on import and sale of chyrsotile to Australia

US legislation Over 600,000 claims filed Over 600,000 claims filed Estimated 90% claims are from those not sick Estimated 90% claims are from those not sick Bankruptcy of over 70 companies Bankruptcy of over 70 companies Estimated total legislative cost of $275 billion Estimated total legislative cost of $275 billion

World legislation Mar Brazilian labor rights activist Fernanda Giannasi on trial for insulting Brazilian government official Mar Brazilian labor rights activist Fernanda Giannasi on trial for insulting Brazilian government official Canada’s Asbestos Institute press release on the safety of chrysotile asbestos printed on asbestos paper Canada’s Asbestos Institute press release on the safety of chrysotile asbestos printed on asbestos paper Sep 18, 2004 – Russia and Canada block UN from adding asbestos to its list of “highly dangerous substances” Sep 18, 2004 – Russia and Canada block UN from adding asbestos to its list of “highly dangerous substances”

Urban legends and politics

Public opinion

Recent studies 2002 designation of Libby, Montana as EPA Superfund site 2002 designation of Libby, Montana as EPA Superfund site New York City air quality after WTC collapse, questions in sampling methods and politics New York City air quality after WTC collapse, questions in sampling methods and politics Oct 4, 2004 protests in Canada Oct 4, 2004 protests in Canada

Conclusions Amphibole asbestos definitely unsafe, chrysotile needs more investigation Amphibole asbestos definitely unsafe, chrysotile needs more investigation Lack of independent studies Lack of independent studies Health claims exaggerated but noteworthy Health claims exaggerated but noteworthy Confusing mix of world opinions and laws will cause future difficulties Confusing mix of world opinions and laws will cause future difficulties Need for concrete knowledge and guidelines Need for concrete knowledge and guidelines

References Asbestos Chemical and Physical Information. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry / US Dept. of Health and Human Services Oct 2004 Asbestos Chemical and Physical Information. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry / US Dept. of Health and Human Services Oct 2004 EPA Asbestos Materials Ban Clarification Oct 2004 EPA Asbestos Materials Ban Clarification Oct 2004 History of Asbestos. Kilpatrick and Associates Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Consultants Oct 2004 History of Asbestos. Kilpatrick and Associates Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Consultants Oct 2004 Some Facts About Asbestos. US Geological Survey Oct 2004 Some Facts About Asbestos. US Geological Survey Oct 2004 The Asbestos Epidemic in America. Environmental Working Group Oct 2004 The Asbestos Epidemic in America. Environmental Working Group Oct 2004