1. SOUTHBAY FIRE DEPARTMENT & NORTH OLYMPIA FIRE DEPARTMENT ASBESTOS REFRESHER

2. ASBESTOS Objectives 1.Describe the properties of asbestos. 2.List a variety of materials containing asbestos. 3.Identify the health hazards associated with asbestos. 4.Describe how to protect yourself from asbestos. 5.Describe basic asbestos regulations. 6.Successfully complete a written exam with 80% or better.

3. ASBESTOS WHAT IS IT? ASBESTOS derives from a Greek word meaning “inextinguishable.” Defined as either of two incombustible, chemical resistant, fibrous mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters.

4. ASBESTOS SO….WHAT IS IT…. A naturally occuring fibrous mineral (rock)

5. ASBESTOS

6. GENERAL OVERVIEW First known use was in 2500 BC; used in pottery and hut insulation. Greeks also spun and used the fibers in cloth. Asbestos was later used in wicks for sacred lamps. 1858- Asbestos entered the industrial realm First asbestos mine in 1874 First documented asbestos related death in 1906 True health concerns not identified until 1970’s 2003- Use of asbestos outlawed ***Watch these videos*** http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VrkNPj-tbU4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h5x3aezix0I

7. ASBESTOS GENERAL OVERVIEW 100,000 Individuals have died or will die from asbestos exposure encountered during ship manufacturing during World War 2. 1.3 million workers are currently exposed to asbestos in the United States every year. Primarily in the construction industry Number 1 exposure problem occurs in building renovation and demolition. Exposures also occur in automotive brake and clutch repair, custodial work, and housekeeping.

8. ASBESTOS CHARACTERISTICS Good Tensile Strength Flexible Heat Resistant Electrical Resistance Good Insulator Chemical Resistant Aerodynamic Hydrophobic Emits No Odor Microscopic Particles

9. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS TYPES Chyrsotile (White Asbestos) >95% of all asbestos Hair-like Fine, flexible, silky fibers with high tensile strength

10. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS TYPES Amosite (Brown Asbestos) <5% of all asbestos Needle-like Bonds well with plastics and is often used in heat insulating materials

11. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS TYPES Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) <1% of all asbestos Strongest asbestos Usually found in conjunction with chrysotile in wrapping, sheeting, piping and boiler wrap Other “blue asbestos” types include: Tremolite Actinolite Anthophyllite

12. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Cement Pipes Cement Wallboard Cement Siding Asphalt Floor Tile Vinyl Floor Tile Vinyl Sheet Flooring Flooring Backing Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.) Acoustical Plaster Decorative Plaster Textured Paints/Coatings Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels Spray-Applied Insulation Blown-in Insulation Fireproofing Materials Taping Compounds (thermal) Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations) High Temperature Gaskets Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops Laboratory Gloves Fire Blankets Fire Curtains *Source- EPA

13. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Did you know….older generation firefighting turnouts contained asbestos for it’s fire resistive characteristics??? Check this out… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl_H68zhp_Q&feature=player_embedded

14. ASBESTOS ACM VS. PACM Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) Any material containing 1% or more asbestos by weight Presumed Asbestos Containing Material (PACM) Handled as ACM unless proven otherwise Surface materials, Thermal System Insulation, Flooring (all if installed before 1981) Many uses of asbestos have been banned under EPA and Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations. However, some materials where asbestos fibers are generally well bound in the materials were not banned. Previously installed products still pose a hazard to workers. Asbestos fibers can be released during repair work, demolition, and renovation of older buildings and structures containing ACM. (Source- WISHA)

15. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

16. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Spray on fire-proofingVinyl flooring containing asbestos ***These items may be found in homes manufactured before 1981.

17. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Pipe Insulation

18. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Mill board containing asbestos. Typically found around furnaces and wood stoves for the natural fire resistive characteristic of asbestos.

19. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

20. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Old generation cement siding containing asbestos.

21. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Asbestos Ceiling TilesRemember Popcorn Ceiling? Some contained asbestos.

22. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM) Joint Compound with AsbestosPlaster with asbestos

23. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING Almost any material subjected to intense heat will burn away - except for asbestos To the firefighter working in a structure fire with ACM’s present, this means that you are working in a friable asbestos atmosphere.

24. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING The hazardous and toxic atmosphere created by the fire often dissipates relatively quickly. The hazardous atmosphere created by the release of asbestos fiber does not.

25. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING The fibers that have the greatest potential for respiratory damage can’t be seen. These fibers can remain airborne for hours and in the area indefinitely. The SCBA worn by the firefighter will protect from this exposure.

26. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING Most filter masks, dust masks, won’t filter these small fibers. The HEPA filter half-mask (magenta cartridge) may stop some of the asbestos. Filter masks are not appropriate for asbestos exposure.

27. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING Respiratory protection- SCBA’s- must be used during the fire investigation period if the damaged area is suspected to have asbestos contamination. Once you suspect that an area is contaminated, it is not easy to change that suspicion. There is no acceptable reason to allow an unmasked person, Fire Investigator, Fire Marshal or Chief, into a suspected contaminated area.

28. ASBESTOS HEALTH EFFECTS Inhalation (Most common) Injection Ingestion ***Watch the following videos*** http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=35328 http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=35328

29. ASBESTOS HEALTH EFFECTS Asbestos fibers are microscopic (1-5 microns in size, a hair is 80 microns), and are easily inhaled when the fibers are airborne. In fact, asbestos fibers are only an inhalation hazard when they are friable (that is to say, when they are airborne, disturbed, or moving). Asbestos fibers travel deep in to the lungs and are deposited in the alveoli. Asbestos is so dangerous because the body’s natural defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos fibers. Rather, the body attempts to isolate the fibers by building scar tissue around the fibers. In other words, once inhaled, asbestos fibers stay with you forever and only accumulate. Over time, the alveoli become less effective because of the scar tissue, and respiratory complications arise. In some cases, the fibers can travel in to and damage the pleura. The potential for developing any asbestos related disease depends on the amount of fibers inhaled, length of exposure, whether the individual smokes, and the age of the individual (most symptoms take 10-30 years to present themselves).

30. ASBESTOS DISEASES Asbestosis Lung Cancer Mesothelioma Pleural Plaques Pleural Thickening Colon, stomach, esophagus, pancreas cancers.

31. ASBESTOS ASBESTOSIS Asbestosis is the lung scarring that occurs as the body attempts to isolate asbestos fibers. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and rales in the lungs. There is no effective treatment.

32. ASBESTOS ***Watch this video*** http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RjE_nkkfvmw http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RjE_nkkfvmw MESOTHELIOMA Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that attacks the pleura. It is very invasive and spreads quickly, eventually crushing the lungs. This form of cancer is currently 100% fatal. Tumors protruding through the right rib cage.

33. ASBESTOS MESOTHELIOMA Mesothelioma is unlike asbestosis in the exposure requirements for the disease to develop. While there is a somewhat direct correlation between regular high-level exposure to asbestos and asbestosis, Mesothelioma can occur among people with little exposure, such as family members of individuals exposed to asbestos and not properly decontaminated before returning home. Steve McQueen died from mesothelioma.

34. ASBESTOS ASBESTOS AND SMOKING

35. ASBESTOS EXPOSURE LIMITS Asbestos Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (0.1 f/cc) 8-hour time weighted average 1.0 f/cc 30-minute short-term exposure limit

36. ASBESTOS LIMITING RISK Assess the following: Are the asbestos fibers friable or non-friable? Is the asbestos isolated? Is the material damaged or intact? Will employees be working in the area? Will the fibers be disturbed during work?

37. ASBESTOS CONTROL RISK Train- Recognize asbestos containing materials and understand the potential health effects if control measures are not taken Keep exposure records for 30 years. Develop and control an exposure control plan. Use HEPA filters. Wet asbestos containing materials before handling. Wear PPE including SCBA, gloves, foot and head protection (INCLUDING OVERHAUL PHASE). Decontaminate before leaving the warm zone with copious amounts of water and control the run-off. Be cognizant of Asbestos Warning Signs, and avoid these areas.

38. ASBESTOS FINAL THOUGHTS Asbestos is only dangerous if you aren’t educated, can’t recognize asbestos containing materials, and disturb the materials. Wearing PPE and SCBA when working on a fire scene, INCLUDING THE OVERHAUL PHASE, eliminates the risk of asbestos related diseases. Safety is your number 1 priority!!!!

39. ASBESTOS RESOURCES WISHA/OSHA – Asbestos Webpage Environmental Protection Agency - Asbestos Webpage Department of Ecology – Asbestos Waste Webpage Oracle Solutions – Asbestos Webpage American Association of School Administrators