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Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye ?
If you are in the construction business or employed by an industry that uses products containing asbestos, you may wonder “Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye”? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Asbestos becomes...
Mesothelioma – Origin, Cause And Prevention
Since the late 1800’s, Asbestos has been widely used for commercial purposes and the usage dramatically increased during World War II. Thousands of Americans who work I in the ship yard; commercial plants etc were exposed to Asbestos dust. This was...
Sports Nutrition Basics
Sports are fun but if you are really serious about making it a part of your life and excel then the importance of sports nutrition is not new to you.
Many sportsmen believe that proper nutrition is a key factor in making those rapid improvements...
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring minerals that can be woven into fibers and are used in manufacturing and industrial applications because of its heat resistance. For example, brake pads can be made with asbestos.
If it appears in...
Work and Asbestos-related diseases, Part Two
The Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario, for instance,
states that asbestos is classified as a designated substance in
some workplaces. Hence employers are obliged to provide safety
measures when they use a designated substance like...
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Asbestos Testing- Search For The Devil
Asbestos Testing – Why?
Asbestos testing seeks to detect the presence of asbestos in any given material. When any asbestos containing material is disturbed, it releases very thin invisible fibers that may remain suspended in the air for many hours, and have a causative association with a plethora of disease manifestations involving the epithelial lining of human visceral cavities, including the deadly mesothelioma. Much asbestos containing material is being unearthed nowadays due to intense remodeling and renovation of old structures, dating back to days when asbestos was extensively used in construction.
Asbestos Testing- When?
EPA's Sample List of Suspect Asbestos-Containing Materials Exit Ecology lists the possible candidates for asbestos testing. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Any surfacing agent or thermal insulation material used in buildings constructed earlier than 1980 is presumed as containing asbestos (WISHA Interim Interpretive Memorandum #99-1-C, January 19, 1999), until proved otherwise by laboratory analysis.
Asbestos Sampling
Precautions
Before collection:
- By either specialized laboratory personnel or under guidance.
During collection:
- Minimize dispersal of fibers
- Avoid heating/cooling draughts
- Minimize the handling time and amount
- Spray the sample with fine water and/or detergent
droplets
- Use a sharp knife to cut neatly through the whole depth
- Place a plastic spread below the collection area
- Minimize exposure to self/those in the vicinity
- Handle the sample alone
- Wear gloves and mask
- Drop neatly into an appropriate container
After collection:
- Minimize dispersal
- Proper sealing of the container
- Patching of the sampled area
- Proper disposal of the plastic spread
- Cleaning of the area
- Label the sample meticulously
Asbestos Testing
Asbestos testing is carried out by a certified laboratory using polarized light microscopy (PLM) as per the EPA recommendations.
Asbestos Testing- Results and Interpretation
This form of asbestos testing is qualitative as well as quantitative .The results are given as the percentage (1 to 100) and type of asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos, Amosite or brown asbestos, and Crocidolite or blue asbestos).
About The Author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.
Copyright Kirsten Hawkins - http://www.asbestosblog.org
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