1. 1

2. 2 What is Asbestos? A rock! Naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral. Most common types of asbestos Chrysotile Amosite Crocidolite Composed of tiny fibers too small to see Added to many common building materials due to its beneficial physical properties

3. 3 It’s a Mineral We Mine

4. 4 Appearance & Texture Fibrous, friable (able to crumble) and fluffy, almost like a muddy brown or white cotton wool

5. 5 Today Found in many products imported to the U.S. Asbestos cement (transite) (Mexico) Vinyl asbestos floor tile (China) Sheetrock (Mexico) Henry’s Roof Mastic (Canada) In general, US based companies don’t use asbestos anymore, but contrary to popular belief, it has never been banned in the U.S.

6. 6 Why was so much asbestos installed in buildings? Asbestos has many desirable properties Fire resistant Sound absorption Chemical resistant Friction resistant Mechanically strong Electrical resistance Bacterial resistance

7. 7 When is asbestos dangerous? When you breathe or ingest it When asbestos gets in the air, you can breathe it in Easy to get asbestos into air, can be inhaled when someone  Saws  Nails  Crushes  Drills  Cuts  Tears

8. 8 Asbestos – Health Impacts Lung Cancer Asbestosis – serious, progressive, long- term non-cancer disease of the lungs Mesothelioma – rare form of cancer found in thin lining (membrane) of lungs

9. 9 Health Effects

10. 10 Where is asbestos found? Acoustic insulator Thermal insulation Fire proofing Other building materials Brake pads / drum Brake linings Asbestos-cement www.nau.edu/eeop

11. 11 www.nau.edu/eeop Isn’t asbestos banned? Asbestos is NOT a banned substance In 1989, EPA banned all NEW uses of asbestos Uses established before 1989 still allowed

12. 12 Health Risk Intact, undisturbed asbestos- containing materials generally do not pose a health risk www.nau.edu/eeop

13. 13 Schools Perform inspections and re-inspection every three years of asbestos-containing material Asbestos management plan Notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training www.nau.edu/eeop

14. 14 www.nau.edu/eeop Work Place U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued revised regulations covering asbestos exposure In construction, special regulated-area requirements for asbestos removal, renovation, and demolition operations

15. 15 www.nau.edu/eeop Home Undisturbed/undeteriorated materials containing asbestos do not, in general, pose health risk, can be left alone If you are concerned, contact EPA or Health Department - Test your home - Locate a company trained to remove or contain fibers

16. 16 www.nau.edu/eeop Synergism of Asbestos and Smoking Cigarette smoke and asbestos together significantly increase your chances of getting lung cancer If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should stop smoking May be most important action you can take to improve your health and decrease cancer risk

17. 17

18. 18 Processes that Use Lead Primary and secondary lead smelting Lead storage battery manufacturing Lead pigment manufacturing and use (paints) Solder manufacturing and use Shipbuilding/repairing Auto manufacturing Printing 2a

19. 19 How Lead Enters the Body Inhalation Ingestion Generally not absorbed through skin (unless organic: ethyl/methyl lead) 18a

20. 20 Effects of “acute” overexposure Large dosages can kill in a matter of days Acute encephalopathy can lead to seizures, coma, and cardiorespiratory arrest 19a

21. 21 Effects of “chronic” overexposure Damage to Blood-forming system Nervous system Kidneys Urinary system Reproductive systems 20a

22. 22 Regulations over the Years…. 1971-Lead Based Paint Poison Prevention Act (LBPPA) targeting HUD homes only 1978-Consumer Product Safety Commission bans use of LBP in residences 1987-abatement of all LBP in HUD homes 1995-Guidance Publication on testing and abatement in non-HUD residences Not much since then, until…..

23. 23 Here’s the latest…. March 31, 2008-EPA sets new rule for contractors during LBP disturbance activities By April 2010, contractors will have to be certified through proper training from accredited entity Applies to work involving renovation, repair, and painting projects in homes, schools, and child- care facilities built before 1978 (Non-HUD Facilities)

24. 24 Occupational Safety & Health Administration Construction regulation on lead applies to all occupational exposure to lead where applicable; employers must protect employees OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62 It’s the law! 1a

25. 25 ChemicalStructure Trade Names Aroclor Inclor Fenclor Many others…. Polychlorinated Biphenyls

26. 26 Properties Non-flammable Non-flammable Chemically stable Chemically stable High boiling point High boiling point Excellent electrical insulation Excellent electrical insulation properties properties

27. 27 PCB Uses Electrical transformers Electrical transformers Capacitors Capacitors Heat transfer equipment Heat transfer equipment Hydraulic equipment Hydraulic equipment Pigments, dyes, paints Pigments, dyes, paints Caulking Caulking Adhesives, tapes Adhesives, tapes Cable insulation Cable insulation

28. 28 History Manufacturing started in 1929 (released Manufacturing started in 1929 (released to atmosphere) to atmosphere) Banned in 1979 Banned in 1979 Some old materials containing PCBs Some old materials containing PCBs still out there (light ballasts, caulking, paint) still out there (light ballasts, caulking, paint) Regulated under the Toxic Substances Regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”), 40 CFR 761 Control Act (“TSCA”), 40 CFR 761 Environmental exposure mostly via soil and water Environmental exposure mostly via soil and water

29. 29 Health Effects Carcinogen (to animals, probable in humans) Toxic to Immune system Reproductive system Nervous system Endocrine system Very persistent in environment, can travel long distances and reach groundwater

30. 30 Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP) Northern Arizona University (NAU) http://www.nau.edu/eeop/ mansel.nelson@nau.edu Voice 928 523 1275 FAX 928 523 1280 PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 www.nau.edu/eeop