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Asbestos, Lead & PCB’s

James Biddle, MS, CIHNorthern Arizona University

Environmental, Health & Safety

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What is Asbestos? A Rock!• Naturally occurring magnesium silicate mineral.

Most common types of asbestos are– Chrysotile– Amosite– Crocidolite

• Composed of tiny fibers too small to see.• Has been added to many common building

materials due to it’s beneficial physical properties

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What is Asbestos?

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It’s a Mineral We Mine

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CHRYSOTILE NAME: ChrysotileCOUNTY: Gila

REMAINS: Six mining buildings still standing, one modern building. Very large tailings pile, many mines. Chrysotile's post office was established June 27, 1916, and discontinued July 15, 1933. Asbestos was the mainstay of the Chrysotile mine located in Ash Creek. Chrysotile is named for the type of asbestos that was mined. In particular, asbestos from Chrysotile was used in the building of Hoover dam in Nevada.

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/chrysotile.html

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Chrysotile Arizona

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Mine Tailings at Chrysotile

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Processed Canadian Asbestos

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Chrysotile Asbestos

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History of Asbestos• Known and used in ancient world more than

5000 years ago• Finland• Egypt• Greece

– The word “asbestos” comes from Greeks… translates to “inextinguishable”

• Rome– Slaves would wear makeshift respirators while

weaving asbestos cloth to prevent sickness• China

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The Start of Modern Usage

• Modern asbestos industry began in 1880 when chrysotile asbestos was first mined in Canada and Russia

• Products included fireproof shingles, steam boiler insulation, cement compounds

• Most extensive use of asbestos began with WWII

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WWII• During WWII, asbestos used heavily in

ship construction and other military products

• After the war, capacity used for industrial, commercial, residential applications

• Eventually, asbestos was added to thousands of different building products and commercial items

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Today

• Found in a number of products imported into USA– 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 never banned in USA

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Why was so much Asbestos installed in buildings?

• Many desirable properties– Fire resistant– Sound absorbing– Chemical resistant– Friction resistant– Mechanically strong– Electrically resistant– Bacterially resistant

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Some Other Asbestos-containing Materials (ACM)

• Roofing shingles• Fireproofing• Thermal pipe insulation• Glues or mastics• Acoustical insulation• Ceiling tiles• Floor tiles• Siding• Window caulking• Cove base

• Fire curtains• Paints• Sheet vinyl• Transite pipe• Sheet rock• Textiles• Rugs and carpets• Hair dryers• Ovens• Car brakes

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A Few Products with Asbestos…

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Fire Blanket (Retired from NAU in 2007)

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Vinyl Floor Tile

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Linoleum

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Pipe Gasket Material

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Roofing Materials

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Pipe insulation

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Drywall Systems

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Fireproofing

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When is asbestos dangerous?

• When you breathe or ingest it.• When asbestos gets in air, you can breathe it in• Easy to get asbestos into air where it can be inhaled

during the following activities

Saw

Nail

Crush

Drill

Cut

Tear

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1949 Protective Equipment: (Bib overalls and a head cover)

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Health Effects

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A Few Statistics

The Asbestos EpidemicDeaths from Asbestos-related diseases

Disease Number of deaths per year

Mesothelioma 2,509

Asbestosis 1,398Lung Cancer 4,800G-I tract cancer 1,200

Total  9,907

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A Few Statistics (cont.)

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A Few Statistics (cont.)

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Asbestos Diseases• Asbestosis (White Lung Disease)

– 15-30 years latency

• Lung Cancer– 20-30 years latency

• Mesothelioma– 30-40 years latency– 100% fatal within 12-18 months

• Other cancers (including stomach, intestinal, and esophageal cancers)

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Are you safe?

• The answer is YES

• As long as asbestos is not disturbed, it cannot harm you

• Following safe work practices will ensure asbestos is not disturbed

• If you see disturbed asbestos, please notify Regulatory Compliance immediately. We will address the problem

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How much asbestos is safe?

• OSHA sets limit of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter, averaged over 8 hours

• 1 cubic centimeter is about equal to the size of a sugar cube

• OSHA sets another limit of 1.0 f/cc, averaged over 30 minutes to limit heavier short-term exposure

““Get The Lead Get The Lead Out”Out”

Processes that Use Lead

Exposure to lead occurs in at least 120 different occupations including

• Primary and secondary lead smelting

• Lead-storage battery manufacturing

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Processes that Use Lead (cont.)

• Lead-pigment manufacturing and use (paints)

• Solder manufacturing and use

• Shipbuilding/repairing

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Processes that Use Lead (cont.)

• Auto manufacturing• Printing

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How lead enters the body

• Inhalation

• Ingestion

• Generally not absorbed through skin (unless organic; ethyl/methyl lead)

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Effects of “acute” overexposure

• Large dosages can kill in a matter of days

• Acute encephalopathy can lead to seizures, coma, and cardiorespiratory arrest

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Effects of “chronic” overexposure

Damage to

• Blood-forming system

• Nervous system

• Kidneys

• Urinary systemUrinary system

• Reproductive Reproductive systemssystems

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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….

Here’s the latest….

• March 31, 2008-EPA sets new rule for contractors during LBP disturbance activities

• By April 2010, contractors must 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)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

• Construction regulation on lead applies to all occupational exposure to lead where applicable; employers must protect their employees

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62• It’s the law!

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Polychlorinated Polychlorinated BiphenylsBiphenyls

““PCBsPCBs””

Chemical Structure

Trade Names•Aroclor•Inclor•Fenclor•Many others….

Properties

•Non-flammable•Chemically stable•High-boiling point•Excellent electrical insulation properties

PCB Uses

• Electrical Transformers• Capacitors• Heat Transfer Equipment• Hydraulic Equipment• Pigments, Dyes, Paints• Caulking• Adhesives, Tapes• Cable Insulation

History• Manufacturing started in 1929 (release to atmosphere) • Banned in 1979• Some old materials containing PCBs still out there (light ballasts, caulking,

paint)• Regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”), 40 CFR 761• Environmental exposure predominantly

via soil and water

Health Effects

• Carcinogen (to animals, probable in humans)

• Toxic toImmune systemReproductive systemNervous systemEndocrine system

• Very persistent in environment, can travel long distances and reach groundwater

Exposure/Environmental Controls

• Clean all spills promptly (leaking transformers, etc.)

• Dispose of in accordance with TSCA regulation

• Do not burn; PCBs form very toxic dioxins via combustion (Agent Orange-like compounds)

• If in solid form, treat disturbance by following asbestos or lead removal guidelines to control exposure/release

Questions?