1. NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE Environmental Health and Safety Department
ASBESTOS
Training Program
6/27/2011 1

2. Objectives To define asbestos
Identify asbestos containing materials (ACM)
Identify the health hazards of ACM
List ways to avoid asbestos exposure
6/27/2011 2

3. What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. The different types of asbestos are:
Amosite
Chrysotile
Tremolite
Actinolite
Anthophyllite
Crocidolite
Chrysotile is the most common,
and is found in over 95% of all
asbestos containing material.
Crysotile is the most common, found in over 95% of asbestos containing material.
The rest are used for specific applications.
6/27/2011 3

4. Asbestos Properties
All types of asbestos tend to break into very tiny fibers.
Once released into the air, they may stay suspended there for hours or even days.
Asbestos fibers are virtually indestructible.
The properties of asbestos are what makes it
so dangerous.
Once inhaled it is impossible to remove from
lung tissue.
The properties of asbestos are what makes it so dangerous. Once inhaled it is
impossible to remove from lung tissue.
6/27/2011 4

5. Where is Asbestos Found?
Asbestos can be found virtually anywhere and is still mined in other countries.
Sprayed on fire proofing and
insulation in buildings
Insulation for pipes and boilers
Wall and ceiling insulation
Ceiling tiles
Floor tiles
Putties, caulks, and cements
Asbestos can be found virtually anywhere and is still mined in other countries.
6/27/2011 5

6. Where is Asbestos Found ?
Roofing shingles
Siding shingles on older buildings
Wall and ceiling texture in older buildings
and homes
Joint compound in older buildings
Brake linings and clutch pads
6/27/2011 6

7. Asbestos Properties Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable.
The term "friable" means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the air.
When asbestos is friable, it is easily inhaled.
Sprayed on asbestos insulation is highly friable.
Asbestos is non-friable when it is bound into other fibers. These fibers are harder to break down, but can be released by drilling, sanding or grinding the material.
Asbestos containing floor tile and asbestos containing lab benches are an example of non-friable asbestos.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTACT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT AT EXT BEFORE WORK IS PERFORMED.
When asbestos is friable it can be easily inhaled.
Asbestos can stay suspended in the air for hours or even days.
Asbestos is not hazardous if it is left undisturbed.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTACT EHS AT 4078 BEFORE DRILLING ANY
FLOOR TILES OR LAB BENCHES. DRILLING CAN MAKE FLOOR TILE
FRIABLE.
6/27/2011 7

8. Health Effects
The body cannot break down or remove asbestos fibers once they are lodged in lung or body tissues.
They remain in place where they can cause disease.
6/27/2011 8

9. Diseases Associated with Asbestos
Asbestosis
Caused by repeated, long-term exposure to airborne asbestos
Lung Cancer
The risk of lung cancer increases with repeated exposure to airborne asbestos
Mesothelioma
Can be caused by even a minimal exposure to airborne asbestos and is generally fatal
Asbestosis is caused by repeated, long-term exposure to friable asbestos.
The chances of lung cancer increase with repeated friable asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma can be caused by small quantity exposure to friable asbestos and
is 100% fatal.
Injured Lung
6/27/2011 9

10. Avoiding Asbestos Exposure
If you do not know whether something is asbestos or not, assume that it is until it is verified otherwise.
You cannot tell if floor or ceiling tiles contain asbestos just by looking at them.
If you have reason to suspect that something is asbestos DO NOT DISTURB IT.
Example
If a floor tile falls down and you discover it, do not attempt to clean up on your
own. Notify security at x4226 and isolate the area by closing the door.
6/27/2011 10

11. Asbestos Program & Notification
Asbestos Program Notification Memo
The memo provides a brief summary of the results of a survey conducted to determine the presence, location, and condition of asbestos on campus
Click link to view memo
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON ASBESTOS PLEASE CONTACT EHS @
Upon completion of this presentation you will receive, through inter-office mail,
a packet containing the Asbestos Program and Notification Memo.
If you have any questions or you would like more information on asbestos,
please contact EHS at x4078 ( )
6/27/2011 11

12. All right, you are done, congratulations!
Now take a test, click on the link and follow the instructions
6/27/2011