Asbestos In Buildings: Types and Health Effects

Asbestos In Buildings Types and Health EffectsAsbestos in buildings current statusIntroductionAsbestos has been employ for to a greater extent than 2,000 years. It was named by the Ancient Greeks, its name meaning inextinguishable. horizontal past the Greeks noted the harmful affects of asbestos, as they noticed the slaves that wove the asbestos into cloth take a crap had developed respiratory problems after squirtvas their lungs. (asbestosresource)The asbestos fibres f any into two types, amphiboles and serpentines. The blue and brown asbestos fibres fall into the amphibole group. They fall into this group be bowel movement they argon compounds of metal silicates which consist of short and sharp fibres. For this reason they fill the superpower of remaining wi hack the human body for eagle-eyed periods of time. Also for this reason this group of asbestos is more dangerous than the fair fibred asbestos. (asbestoswatchdog)Today asbestos is a general depot that is given to n umerous naturally occurring silicate minerals. There be 6 forms of asbestos the three that atomic number 18 not really common are known as actinolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite. Amongst the six naturally occurring minerals thither are three main forms of asbestos which are known as Chrysotile, Crocidolite and Amosite. Otherwise they are known in the same order as white, blue and brown. In 1999 The Asbestos Prohibition Regulations banned the use of all new forms of this substantial.There has been a gradual dec situation in the use of asbestos from the early on 1960s. Even though a steep number of buildings pose had the asbestos removed and because replaced with a more suitable material, on that point is heretofore a very eminent number of buildings that still charter asbestos and most of it is has remained undetected. (Eclipsescientific)Asbestos has many properties and for this reason it was widely utilise.StrengthIncombustibilityUse as a binding agentResistance to utmost temperaturesResistance to electrical currentResistance to acids and alkalisAbsorbs sound (Asbestos-answers)It fanny be seen very clearly why asbestos was utilise on such a wide scale, looking at the properties it seemed to be the yet material that had such a variety and was in like manner available on a broad scale.Asbestos possesses unique pliant strength and flexibility from its fibres and it is for this reason that it was used in the showtime place. These fibres are too tiny to be seen by the nude eye. The ability of the asbestos fibres to flex allows them to be woven, though it is harder to weave the amphibole group due to there rigidity. On the new(prenominal) hand the serpentine group was used more due to its flexibility.There is no simple test to recognize the different types of fibres, and this judgment dirty dognot be made on colour alone, but it requires a lab test to find bulge which type of asbestos it is that they are dealing with. More volition be di scussed on how the tests are carried break through and the types of try ons that are used later on in this report. every(prenominal) these forms of asbestos are known to be very dangerous to human health and can pee illnesses to which there is no cure. The way the asbestos enters the body is through the divine guidance of the fibres, these fibres then rest in the lower dissipate of the lungs where they can lay for many years. These fibres cannot be absorbed through the skin. out-of-pocket to the size of the fibres they can except be seen through a microscope, and there size similarly allows them to penetrate deep into the lungs, this can cause respiratory diseases or some types of cancer.The principal asbestos related to diseases are that of asbestosis (fibrosis) scarring of the lungs mesothelioma a cancer of the inner lining of the chest wall or abdominal cavity lung cancer and diffuse pleural thickening a non-malignant disease in which the lining of the lung (pleura) be comes scarred. (13/11/07, healthandsafetytips)The types of asbestos ingesting materials found in domestic properties are likely to be in ducts, access panels, detonator tiles, partitions etc. These if still existing in domestic buildings will be found 1960s and 1970s built housing. Most of the materials checking asbestos look similar to those materials that do not contain asbestos. If the materials that contain asbestos are in good condition they can be left in place and managed, but if they are damaged dangerous fibres can be released which have to be removed only by an approved contractor. Asbestos cosmos a very hazardous material only becomes dangerous when it is mobile and the fibres are inhaled.Today the types of commercial buildings that asbestos may still remain in are the ones that were refurbished in between 1950 and 1980 as this was the peak time that the asbestos was used in buildings. What will make it more likely for the building to contain asbestos is if the buil ding had a steel frame and contained boilers with thermal insulation. Asbestos wasnt only used in sheet form and as an insulation but withal as asbestos cementumum which was used to cover walls etc. The asbestos was excessively used in the buildings in the form of a spray which was mixed with hydrated asbestos cement this was then sprayed on to many of the structural and non-structural members, so the majority of the building may contain asbestos in one form or another. (HSE)Overtime the members and materials coated with asbestos spray may break down due to wear and tear this will little by little release asbestos fibres into the air which due to their non indubitable fibres could be inhaled therefore causing health problems.Before work is started on a building any asbestos containing material cement, plasterboards etc moldiness(prenominal) be identified. Any work carried out on asbestos containing material must be carried out by a HSE licensed contractor. (sutton.gov.uk)Asbest os2.1 TypesAs mentioned in the introduction to this report there are six forms of asbestos chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Of these six there are the three main forms of asbestos which are amosite (brown), chrysotile (white) and crocidolite (blue). The colours of these types of asbestos are not visible to the human eye, so all the asbestos should be treated as equally hazardous.Chrysotile or better known as white asbestos is obtained from rocks known as serpentines. This is the only type of asbestos that belong to this rock group. These rocks are found commonly through out the sphere. This type of asbestos is the only one out of the others which has curly flexible fibres as opposed to the other types of fibres which are straight, sharp like a needle and some are even brittle. This is as well as the most common type of asbestos as it accounts for about 90% of all the asbestos consumed across the world, when compared to the other types. Th is is still the most commonly mined form of asbestos till today. (phhenv)This fibre is known to do the to the lowest degree amount of damage to the lungs. This fibrous material is composed of 40% silica and 40% magnesium, though these fibres have a good heat resistance they can be destroyed by acids. Chrysotile has fibres which have a layered silicate structure. These layers can be regarded as made up from silicon atoms and each of these atoms is surrounded by four atomic number 8 atoms at the corners which creates an close to regular tetrahedron. Then there are the magnesium atoms, of them each are surrounded by six oxygen atoms which creates an almost regular octahedron. These two are linked by the sharing of there basal oxygen atoms which then forms a continuous layer.Amosite asbestos is a part of the amphiboles rock group this is mainly used as a flame retardant material within thermal insulation material such as ceiling tiles. This brown asbestos is typically used in insula ting materials. The crystals in this type of asbestos vary and they can be flat prisms, brittle grains or long thin threads. The threads are commonly found in naturally occurring bundles.The longer and thinner fibres of amosite are rather flexible and curve to form wide arches. These long wide arches of amosite fibres then break into minor groups that consequence in sharp needle like fibres. The ends of the fibres are plane and do not have bedraggled or split ends, this is one of the main characteristics that helps differentiate amosite from chrysotile asbestos fibres. Broken bundles also are frequently found and resemble broom tails in appearance. the Great Compromiser of the crystal fibres can be recognized in some building resources that were manufactured with amosite. (davidcole)Crocidolite asbestos is one of the five types of amphibole asbestos this means the fibres in Crocidolite are made up of mineral crystals that look like chains. Crocidolite is often called blue asbestos, and occurs naturally in Australia, South Africa, Russia and Canada.Crocidolite was the least types of asbestos used in commercial products. Crocidolite fibres ordinarily bear a resemblance to chrysotile fibres but they are vaguely more brittle. This form of asbestos is harder than any other member in the amphibole family. This is also one of the most carcinogenic fibres as it induces the release of reactive oxygen species from phagocyte cadres (cells that engulf and destroy invading organisms). This in turn damages the cells DNA and as all cells are programmed to make it after a true amount of time, the damaged DNA changes that and therefore the cell will reproduce un managelably. This will eventually result in malignity and show the result of the carcinogenic properties of asbestos fibres. (carcin.oxfordjournals)The contemporary use of asbestos dates from the late 1800s where great amounts of asbestos deposits were discovered in Canada. Brusquely after this discovery commerci al asbestos mine was opened in Russia. Since then the two former mentioned countries have been the main worldwide producers of chrysotile. There is no asbestos mined in the UK and the declamatoryst asbestos producer in the world is Russia. The main sources of asbestos that are imported into the UK are from Canada and South Africa.It can be seen that Russia has been the largest producer of the most commonly used form of asbestos (Chrysotile). Whereas South Africa has been the smallest producer of white asbestos. These production values have dropped since the ban of asbestos nearly Europe, hence the amounts of asbestos used has declined.tonnes. It also indicates the amount of asbestos that the States has been using since the 1940s. It can clearly be seen that America was the largest consumer of asbestos until the 1970s when the use of asbestos started to decline. By 1999 the worldwide production of asbestos had also declined by more than a half since 1990. This signifies that around the 1990s asbestos had started become prohibited around the worlds largest consumers hence the overall consumption of asbestos was rapidly reduced.2.3 ProcessedAsbestos is processed through a milling procedure, where the useful fibres are set-apart from the non-useful materials within the asbestos rock. When the fibres are separated they become shorter and also split lengthwise due to their crystalline structure. Many of the fibres that result from the milling process are too small to see with the naked eye. The fibres that are milled are graded by a machine as they pass through it they are caught in a sieve and then mea authoritatived. This process may vary from mine to mine. There are many different grades of fibres that are used in the construction industry but the central point is on those fibres that are in the respirable range, as it is these fibres that have the size and shape which can cause damage to human health by lancinate into the depth of the lungs, and this is whe re they will remain for long periods of time. (Asbestos from rock to fabric, 1956)2.4 Uses in constructionThe first use of asbestos for construction purposes was in 1890 in the form of firep pileus cover materials. Later on in the next 10 years on from 1890 the use of asbestos expanded to engine gaskets and boiler insulation, it can be seen that the heat resistance properties of asbestos were being exploited for commercial use. Then from the early 1900s the use of asbestos expanded to building insulation and in the 1930s this had extended to a cement bonding agent. Indicating that asbestos had become a highly sought after material. Up to date it has been estimated that asbestos may be a component of more than 3,000 types of construction materials (Hess, 1998). match to visits from the asbestos report from the committee, out of 143 000 tonnes of asbestos that was imported into the UK in 1976, roughly about 42 900 tonnes were used to manufacture construction products such as claddin g sheets and roofing tiles (Stationery Office, 1979).Due to the high heat resistance of asbestos it was mainly used in the construction for fire protection, i.e. to separate rooms. It can also be mixed with cement and used as a spray, which is then sprayed onto articles within a structure. Due to its high-quality weather resistance it was used on a large scale on roof sheets, pipes and guttering.(Harrogateaccommodationservice)There were many materials manufactured for construction purposes. They are as followsFor the roofs of the buildings there were many different materials used, the main materials contained asbestos bonding. Cement roof slates, cladding and roofing sheets all contained asbestos bonding in the form of cement. The former three materials were all designed to be strong as they will face different temperatures and weathering. The combination of asbestos and cement made it very hard for these materials to release fibres, unless they were heavily damaged, drilled or cut using other machinery.As mentioned above the roofing asbestos products were made to be very strong so therefore they are of low put on the line when it comes to releasing fibres and danger to human health compared to those asbestos products used on the inside of the building.The ball over in buildings that were constructed with ACMs may also contain asbestos. This can be in the form of 99 inches thick floor tiles which were used in the early stages of ACMs becoming popular. The tiles also come in the 1212 inches size which is the more common size used for floor tiles today. Linoleum floor sheeting is also another type of asbestos containing material that was used for floors of kitchens and bathrooms but was most commonly used in commercial buildings such as hospitals and school corridors. In addendum mastic glue was used to stick the linoleum and tiles to the floor may have also contained asbestos. Like every asbestos product it should be assumed that these products contain asbes tos until proven otherwise by microscopic identification (Sandro A, p68). The illustration above shows typical asbestos linoleum floor sheeting and asbestos containing wall tiles which could also be used for the floor.Insulation was another material used in construction that contained asbestos namely crocidolite. This was used to line the attic of a building and in some cases to line fireplaces and pipes. Asbestos is chemically lifeless hence it has excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties and this is the reason for its use as insulation (Fillmore. W, Galaty, Wellington. J, 2002). It must be noted that asbestos was almost always bonded with other materials that were already being used for a certain job i.e. roof tiles, cladding etc. All the asbestos did is improve the properties of these materials making them more durable, heat resistant and flame retardant.Acoustic ceiling materials were used to reduce the amount of sound travel between the floors of a building. The a sbestos was used as a spray which was applied to the ceiling this was mainly to save money from having to plaster the ceiling. The asbestos was bonded with ceiling paint and appliedCarcinogenic agents are those that can influence the carcinogenic development either by mutating vital target genes or by escalating the amount of cells at threat from mutations.Cytogenetic and molecular studies of asbestos-related cancers indicate that inactivation or loss of multiple tumor suppressor genes occurs during lung cancer development. Aneuploidy and other chromosomal changes induced by asbestos fibers may be involved in genetic alterations in asbestos-related cancers. (Pubmedcentral)Furthermore, asbestos fibers may influence the carcinogenic process by inducing cells to rapidly multiply and produce new cells or tissues, free radicals, or other promotional mechanisms. This indicates that asbestos fibers may act at numerous stages of the carcinogenic process by both genetic and epigenetic (chang es the physical characteristics of an organism) mechanisms. The ability of the asbestos to remain in the lungs and body is undoubtedly important in fibre carcinogenicity. On the other hand, the time necessary for a fibre to remain in the lung to put forth a cancer-related forcefulness is tricky to state. (Pubmedcentral)Studies of how health-related conditions occur in specific populations show that the amphiboles and chrysotile can increase the run a risk of lung cancer. The carcinogenicity of chrysotile has been recognised for some time by international bodies,This carcinogenicity was confirmed by the experts consulted by the panel with respect to both lung cancers and mesotheliomaswe therefore consider that we have sufficient facts that there is in fact serious carcinogenic risk associated with the inlet of chrysotile fibres (epa.gov)The above statement indicates that chrysotile has the carcinogenic ability to be able to cause cancer if people are clear to airborne fibres. (M esotheliomareference)Details of exactly how asbestos fibres cause malignancy in cells is still largely unknown. Although there is a lack of information of how the malignancy occurs in the cells from these fibres the basics of how these mechanisms occur is known. It is not apparent if the asbestos fibres cause malignancy by encouraging the cells by direct relations or by the toxic materials that are released by the fibres which will eventually cause cancer. The fibres will first cause local irritation and inflammation to the neighbouring tissue, where they will get lodged afterwards. The inflammation and irritation causes the body to release chemicals, these chemicals cause changes in the cells and the interaction with the asbestos fibres and other factors which are largely unknown, will eventually cause the cell to continue onto a malignant change. (medicineworld.org)The human body has different sets of genes for reaping promotion and growth suppression. In a regular healthy state the genes that promote growth and genes that suppresses the growth are in good synchronization, so that the cell growth and cell division occur only when it is needed. These growths related genes are susceptible to and can get damaged by internal or external factors. Therefore if a growth suppressing gene is damaged the mechanism that controls the suppressing and unwanted growth might be lost.Alternatively if damage occurs in the growth promoting genes, they might lose their capableness to endorse cell growth, but some types of damage can actually increase the growth promoting ability of these types of genes. The result of this type of damage to the cell genes is that it no longer pays attention to the commands of the tumour suppressor genes and continues to multiply. Each cell is programmed to expire after definite number of cell divisions. Due to the damage this programmed cell remainder does not fuck off place, in turn causing the cell to multiply without any control making th e cell almost immortal. This ability to multiply without control and the immortality factor rapidly increases the chances of the cell to develop into cancer.The asbestos fibre will damage the genes of the cells and causing genetic changes in a cell which is programmed to perform a certain task will almost definitely cause more harm then good, and in this case it can lead to cancer. So asbestos does have a level of carcinogenicity, but the factors that this depends on are varying i.e. length of flick, type of asbestos exposed to. (Environmental Toxicants Human Exposure and Their Health Effects, 2000)3.1 Fibre types and Health affects.3.1.1 Which is worst to begin with long there is no strong evidence that supports which type of fibre is the most harmful to the human body. It is stated that chrysotile is the least harmful and that amosite is the most harmful as it has the highest link to lung and respiratory cancers and conditions.3.1.2 Why is the worst3.1.3 IllnessesMesotheliom a is a cancer of the mesothelium this is a thin membrane which lines the chest, abdomen and the organs that surround this area. This type of cancer is usually associated with Crocidolite, but it can also be caused by other types of asbestos as well. The cancer can develop even after very little mental picture to asbestos fibres, and can take up to 15 years to develop. This is known as the latent period and in some cases it has known to take up to 40 years before it develops. It is also thought that this type of cancer may be related to other malignancies than just asbestos. As with all the types of asbestos cancers smoking can cause the cancer to speed up.Lung Cancer from asbestos exposure can take two common forms the small cell lung cancer which is as stated by its title a cancer where the cells are small and round. Alternatively theres the non small cell lung cancer, this is where the cancer cells are larger. Out of these two types of lung cancers the small cell lung cancer acco unts as the main from by having a cancer relation of 80%, where as large cell lung cancer only accounts for 20% out of the two types.Asbestosis is the progressive scarring of the lungs this is due to continuous exposure to asbestos fibres. This illness may take years before it is noticed but the common signs of asbestosis also mimic those of other respiratory problems. The most common symptoms of asbestosis are breathlessness and dry coughs, but these can easily be confused with other problems. The asbestos fibres unceasingly irritate the lung surface causing it to scar and eventually leading to the thickening of the lung surface.Diffuse pleural Thickening Benign Pleural Effusion Benign Pleural Plaques Rounded atelectasis or folded lung Mesothelioma (asbestosawarenesswales)3.1.4 Occupational exposureElectricians and construction labourers are one of the most common workers who have a higher chance of being exposed to asbestos. They are more likely to come across ACMs as they work a round the area of ACMs, electricians work in lofts or re fit out buildings where they have to disturb some of the materials. These materials may contain asbestos and therefore release fibres that can be inhaled and eventually cause disease. Construction workers when carrying out demolition on a building are at a very high risk of disturbing large amounts of asbestos fibres and therefore increase the amount they inhale. These two occupations may come across asbestos more often than any other occupations. (lhc.org)Insulation workers and Laggers who apply insulation materials can also be at high risk of asbestos exposure, this is because they have to disturb walls and sometimes have to work near the roof of the building and these are the most common areas that asbestos remains in buildings. This is because asbestos was used in the spray form to help strengthen plaster boards and cement products and if any of these are disturbed then they will release asbestos fibres. This will expose the workers to high amounts of asbestos as these areas are not well ventilated and therefore they will be breathing in more fibres. (Asbestosawarenesswales)Carpenters, Plumbers and pipe-fitters are also at risk from asbestos exposure because they have to drill through walls to carry out there duties and the drilling will agitate any asbestos fibres and therefore may cause exposure to asbestos.The asbestos disease are all caused due to the asbestos fibres causing damage to the body in one form or another, either by damaging the cells at DNA level or damaging the tissue as a whole. These fibres are very sharp when examined under a microscope. It is this sharpness that causes the damage and also the ability of the human body to remove the asbestos fibres, as the cells try to engulf the fibres to destroy them, which is a near impossible task to do they and up being damaged in return. (asbestos.net)All of the above occupations and many more are at risk from asbestos exposure and the Cont rol of Asbestos Regulations 2006 makes sure than any building that is surmise to contain asbestos records it in an asbestos register and this register is shown to anyone who maybe carrying out work on the site. The regulations will be discussed in more detail during the course of this report.4. ashes/Assessments4.1 Types of buildingMost asbestos will be remaining in buildings that were built, refurbished or repaired between 1950 and 1980, as this was the peak period were asbestos was used in building materials in the United Kingdom. The amount that remains in buildings is very hard to determine or even estimate as it will be a very time consuming job. All the relevant data that is needed to even make an estimation cannot be found in one place. There are many estimated and approximated figures for the amount of buildings within the UK which contain ACMs. Most of the information is based on commercial and non-domestic properties.Any buildings that were constructed before the year 2000 is assumed to contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence pointing otherwise. The reason for this is because the final ban on asbestos was bought in during the year 1999. This is also the basis of the estimation for the current status of asbestos in the UK, as the year 2000 was considered the year where all new asbestos building materials were completely banned in the UK.4.1.1 Commercial/DomesticWhile there are no secure figures, it is approximated that there are still thousands of tonnes of asbestos remaining in buildings. As many as 750,000 non-domestic premises may contain asbestos. (rgeurope)Others governing bodies suggest that It is estimated half a million commercial premises may contain asbestos (amsscotland). So the estimated number of commercial buildings that may contain ACMs is around the half million figure. This figure is estimated by adding up of all the non-domestic properties such as offices, schools, factories and hospitals that were built before the yea r 2000.5. Surveys5.1 How survey carried outAfter an extensive search three types of surveys have been identified.Type 1 Walk Through SurveyThe first survey that is carried out is a presumptive survey. This survey does not involve any sample victorious rather it involves identifying all areas and locations which may have asbestos containing materials (ACMs) by a visual inspection. From this survey the condition of the ACMs are noted and there locations this is for the purpose of benefiting the psyche that may be carrying out work on a structure or occupying it. This is because any suspected materials have to be treated as asbestos containing materials unless there is a guarantee that the materials do not contain any asbestos. This confidence can only be reassured if the materials are glass, wood or metal. It must also be made sure that these materials that do not contain asbestos are not hiding any materials that do i.e. wooden joist hiding an asbestos ceiling tile etc. (Bridgend )Type 2 Sampling SurveyThis survey is that same as the first survey in all aspects except that samples are collected from some suspected materials and then these samples are sent off for analysis to a lab which will most likely use a microscope to identify the fibres. The sampling can be carried out at the same time as the survey and each suspected material is sampled. Unlike the first survey which can be carried out by an in house member this survey can only be carried out by a qualified and trained professional. (Bridgend)Type 3 Pre-Demolition/Refurbishment SurveyThis survey is carried out to gain full access to all ACMs and it may involve hurtful inspection. This is a must if a building is going to be demolished because if the ACMs are not removed then the dangerous asbestos dust can be released into the air which can cause health problems on a large scale. This also helps to identify all areas with ACMs so they can be removed before a major refurbishment and replaced with more suitable materials. Therefore this survey is deemed necessary if work is going to be carried out on a large scale, so the current condition of any ACMs is established. As above this survey should only be carried out by a trained and qualified professional. (Ac-environmental-services)5.2 How to take samples of suspected materialTaking samples of suspected materials depends on the type of survey that is carried out. If there were materials that are suspected of containing asbestos during a type 1 walkthrough survey then no samples will need to be taken, this is because they will just be identified and there location noted. Whereas if type 2 or 3 surveys were carried out then the samples taken could be of thumbnail size or they could be larger. It should be noted that these samples will be identified as ACMs under a microscope so there is a limit to the size that a sample can be. Samples from each suspected ACM are collected and analysed to validate or conflict the surveyors judgemen t. Sampling may take place with the survey or, in the case of some larger surveys, as a separate exercise following result of a Type 1 survey.5.3 Procedures and Precautions takenThe procedures for fetching samples are that first a site survey must be carried out in the form of risk assessment. Any risk found in the assessment will form the procedure to follow when taking samples. The main and foremost part of the procedures is that anyone taking samples must make sure that any disturbance of suspected ACMs is kept to the bare minimum. This is because it will reduce the amount of fibres that are released. The person taking the samples must take into account that the premises may be occupied and the minimal disruption is caused to the clients daily operations. There may also be employees or tenants on site and all precaution must be taken to protect their health and safety. (HSE)The sampling personnel must also make sure that the adequate personal protection equipment is worn while carrying out this delicate procedure, as they are the ones closest to being exposed to the asbestos. They must make sure that the bare minimum that they use is disposable overalls, over shoes and a respirator. There may also be other equipment used but this depends on the risk assessments finding for example if the risk assessment found that there was asbestos that has been disturbed then air extraction may have to be used to stop the fibres spreading but if there is just suspected ACMs then basic equipment mentioned can be used. (HSE)There are different respirators for different types of ACMs, which ever was identified in the risk assessment. The main precaution just before taking samples is to wet the suspected ACM to make sure that the amount of fibres released is minimal. The sample area can be wetted by using basic waster or a wetting agent. Wetting can be done in different ways for different materials, for boards and sheets the water or wetting agent can be sprayed directly o n to the surface, as t