8 Things to Know about Asbestos Training and Awareness

Asbestos is a hazardous substance. You can be exposed to asbestos without even knowing it presence or without showing any visible symptoms. This article contains Asbestos awareness training tips.

If you are associated with construction industry, there are high chances of being exposed to asbestos containing materials. This minimum level of asbestos training is required by law under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR).

1. Three common types of asbestos

The most common types of asbestos used in the USA constructions are Chrysotile, Amosite, and Crocidolite. These are also known as white, brown and blue asbestos respectively.

2. Disease caused by asbestos

One of the major and serious disease caused by asbestos is Mesothelioma. It is lethal in nature and kills around 12,000 to 15,000 people in the USA each year. There are other asbestos related diseases too which are also deadly in nature. Diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural plaques, stomach and larynx cancer, are some of the examples.

3. When does an asbestos-containing material become dangerous?

One thing which you must know for asbestos training awareness is the fact that if asbestos is not disturbed, it does not cause much danger and remains low risk. If you are surrounded by materials  containing asbestos, you are not in immediate danger of getting affected until it remains in good condition and intact. However, if asbestos-containing materials are disturbed through any activity such as sanding, drilling, cutting etc, asbestos fibre is released which poses huge health hazard. Materials, which are in poor condition, and contain asbestos are also equally dangerous.

4. Main route of asbestos fibers entry

Asbestos becomes a deadly health hazard if the fibers are inhaled because it is the most common passage for asbestos to enter the human body. Being tiny in size, asbestos fibers can remain suspended in the air for days, and can get into the body of human during breathing, lodging in the lining of the lungs.

5. Type of survey needed for construction work

As part of asbestos training and awareness, two types of surveys should be conducted for identification of presence of asbestos; a management asbestos survey, and a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey.

For construction project, the refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey is required. It is an intrusive type of asbestos survey where buildings are inspected by taking samples. These samples are then tested to identify asbestos materials presence in the areas you are working.

6. Increased risk for smokers

As smoking affects lungs functioning, smokers have an increased risk of asbestos related diseases. Smoking reduces lungs functioning by damaging tiny hairs in the throat, and desensitizing lungs from smoke and particles. This affects functioning of the immune system as the number of white blood cells, sent to clean up the lungs, decrease.

When smokers are exposed to asbestos fibers, their lungs cannot strongly fight off asbestos fibers. Hence, smokers remain at a higher risk of asbestos-related diseases.

7. Asbestos containing buildings

asbestos training encompasses the identification of buildings which contain this deadly material. A rule which can help greatly in this regard is to look for the year of construction of a building. Buildings constructed before 2000 have higher chances of containing asbestos because it was widely from the late 1800s to 1999, until it was banned. So, be cautious around buildings built before 2000 as they are more likely to contain asbestos, unless it has previously been removed.

Unless you have asbestos survey or removal proof, always assume that all buildings constructed before 2000 contain asbestos.

8. The symptoms of Abestos

Asbestos-related diseases do not show immediate symptoms and may take years to show visible signs. So, if anyone has disturbed the material, he/she might not face immediate consequences. The diseases can develop over several years and even decades. Without a survey, it cannot be established if a material contains asbestos or not. Therefore, to be safe people should check the type of materials they are working on, for knowing the presence of asbestos.

About Acc Env

If you deal in construction, or restoration work, keep yourself safe from the deadly impacts of asbestos. Get the place surveyed for the presence of asbestos from a reliable company.

Acc Env has years of experience in the field of asbestos identification. We are here to survey the place for you to keep you safe. In case of asbestos training, contact our team today.