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UER Forum > UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > Asbestos (Viewed 13137 times)
wackypanda 


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Asbestos
< on 3/14/2014 2:50 PM >
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Im quite concerned with entering a building and finding myself surrounded by the evil cancerous asbestos. Alot of older architecture was built with asbestos as we did not know it was carcinogenic till recently. Therefore When exploring a new building what is the best way to stay safe, spot any asbestos, and avoid inhaling or coming in contact with it? Its often not easy to know your surrounded by the malevolent material.




Abby Normal 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 1 on 3/14/2014 3:51 PM >
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I would start by reading through this thread on respirators. It will give you a good start on protecting your lungs.

http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=108617

Abby Normal




"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
Ricky_from_TV 


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I'm going to try and refuckulate it

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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 2 on 3/15/2014 2:43 AM >
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Definitely read Abbey's link - And to be clear - walking around in an asbestos factory for a few hours won't give you asbestosis, You need a regular moderate exposure.




When Caught Always, Always Use the Jim trick.
billgeorge 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 3 on 4/16/2014 6:01 AM >
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I wanted to know if I'd be in any danger entering, for half an hour, the occasional building undergoing renovation and posted with asbestos warnings. I didn't really want to buy or carry around a mask, honestly. So this is probably confirmation bias; here is the 1999 article I found after a few minutes' research:

http://www.larouch...danger_is_irra.pdf

In sum: the Occupational Health and Safety Authority says 0.1 fibers/cubic centimeter is the limit. But asbestos miners of Quebec worked for more than 20 years exposed to an average of 20 fibers/cubic centimeter and were found to live perfectly normal lives, with no increase in mortality. Measurements in more than 214 schools show the average fiber content in schoolrooms to be 0.0025 fibers per cubic centimeter of air -- 400 times lower than the OSHA requirement for worker safety.

In short, the risk has been hugely overblown. Or, as Ricky_from_TV put it:

And to be clear - walking around in an asbestos factory for a few hours won't give you asbestosis, You need a regular moderate exposure.


It reminds me of the received wisdom regarding drinking alcohol while pregnant. Sure, drinking 10+ drinks a day while pregnant leads to fetal alcohol syndrome in two-thirds of babies. But having a couple of drinks a day shows no effect. But most humans seem only able to think in black-and-white -- hence the horror and disgrace directed towards an expectant mother having an occasional glass of wine.

Anyway, I'm personally satisfied that I don't need to buy a respirator for now, and that I can go in that building I have my eye on.




Vectored Approach 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 4 on 4/16/2014 3:40 PM >
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If they are actively working on asbestos removal, don't go in the building. Generally though, asbestos is perfectly fine if left alone. You'll find it in pipe wrapping, fireproofing materials, floor tiles mostly. The asbestos I've come across has always been encapsulated, wrapped and tagged as containing asbestos. If you don't disturb it, don't make it airborne, there's very little to be concerned about.




Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy. -George Carlin (1937 - 2008)
vmn551 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 5 on 6/1/2014 6:00 PM >
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As one other member said, respirators are the way to go here.

Plus, they make you sound like Darth Vader, its a win win.




ForgottenRails 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 6 on 1/22/2015 12:48 AM >
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Respirator is key, but to echo what was already said, it you do your best not to disturb it, you shouldn't be too worried.




terapr0 


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www . tohellandback . net

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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 7 on 1/22/2015 1:52 AM >
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Also don't forget that a respirator is not a perfect catch-all, and that your clothing, hair and respirator cartridges themselves will be covered in asbestos which can and WILL dislodge at a later point. When you think about it There's very little point in wearing a mask inside the building and then taking it off and breathing the fibers from your clothes. They will be covered in fibres that will spread to your seats and anywhere else you go At the very least remember to bag your respirator (ideally replace the filters after each use), bag your clothes and shoes and wash them separately from other non contaminated stuff.

I'm not saying that I'm always so diligent, but if you're really concerned it's worth realizing that a mask alone doesn't offer full protection. Unless coupled with diligence after leaving the contaminated area it's really just a placebo.

The other scary thing about asbestos is that the fibres are totally inert and will NEVER break down once inside your longs. They're waterproof and fireproof and, theoretically at least, even 1 single fiber embedded in your lungs could lead to mesothelioma. Unfortunately science knows so little about exactly how the disease starts or is triggered, and Of course there are people who worked with for years and are fine, but there are also MANY of them who've died, and many people who never worked around it and still succumbed from incidental exposure. Life's a gamble that way I suppose.




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rachelmackayy 


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helllloooo, i take pics sometimes

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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 8 on 7/30/2015 2:48 AM >
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Most places I've been to have signs saying something along the lines of warning asbestos, but basically I wouldn't stress it too much if you wear a good respirator.




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tniz 


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eternally curious

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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 9 on 11/2/2015 6:53 AM >
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http://www.amazon....ds=p100+respirator

The link above is the mask I use as my favorite location is laden with asbestos. When you are looking for protection for toxic dusts and such a P100 rating is usually sufficient. They can be found in local hardware stores for between 20-35$ or on Amazon they start at about 12-13$. If you need something a bit cheaper an N95 or R95 is certainly better than nothing. R95 would be a little bit better because it is resistant to oil in the air as well.

the TL;DR of ratings

N95- Will remove 95% of the bad shit from the air, not resistant to oil.
R95- Will remove 95% of the bad shit from the air, is resistant to oil.
P100-Will remove 100% (or pretty damn close) of the bad shit from the air.
If you can afford a P100, Get it. Cancer is a bad time.




Deuterium 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 10 on 11/10/2015 7:04 AM >
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There's a good thread here http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=108617 but something I could add on.



A commonly sold combo like the one above is a simple gas mask that provides protection against high levels of ORGANIC VAPOR fumes from collision repair products or spray paint. The outer filter catches paint mist and the chemical gas cartridge absorbs solvent fumes, but ASBESTOS slip right through them. OV cartridges are great for collision techs who work around paint all day, but they're about as useless as ammonia or chlorine filters for most exploration purposes.




Straight P100 particulate filters block asbestos and toxic solid substances like lead, cadmium and infectious dust. They're much lighter, cheaper and last longer. You replace them when breathing resistance gets uncomfortably high.

Since P100 particulate filters are ineffective against spray paint fumes and anyone familiar with protective gears know that, it might be more believable if you ever have to explain why you have them.



P100/OV cartridges have a P100 filter and a chemical gas cartridge stacked together. They're more expensive and tiring, because the chemical gas filter adds significant weight and breathing resistance. As explained in the other thread, the color band provides easy visual indication.

For example
black means organic vapors/paint fumes.
Yellow means acid vapor and organic combo.



[last edit 11/10/2015 7:22 AM by Deuterium - edited 3 times]

Trout na bout 


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Best to not look back and see what follows

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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 11 on 3/20/2018 10:41 PM >
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Ok so I read through this old thread and didn't find quite what I was looking for. I have a few questions.

1. Before what year of construction should I be cautious about a building having asbestos.

2. If there are no markings declaring it should I be concerned?

3. Does it have a certain smell?

4. Common signs of it an old abandoned houses




yup
Mr. Bitey 


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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 12 on 6/1/2018 5:33 PM >
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Asbestosis, aka Mesothelioma, HUGELY favors smokers. While it is always wise and recommended to wear a mask when exposed, I agree with the earlier post that the dangers are greatly blown out of proportion - especially if you are a non-smoker. It is also worth noting that undisturbed asbestos, i.e. intact floor tiles, pipe insulation still encased with the plaster wrap, is perfectly safe. TONS of asbestos still exists in active buildings you are in everyday. You can even still buy aftermarket asbestos brake pads!




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Mr. Bitey 


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Meow Meow Fudder Mucker!

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Re: Asbestos
< Reply # 13 on 6/1/2018 6:03 PM >
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Posted by Trout na bout
Ok so I read through this old thread and didn't find quite what I was looking for. I have a few questions.

1. Before what year of construction should I be cautious about a building having asbestos.


Asbestos was banned from use in paint and plaster in 1977. If you've seen bits of broken plaster clinging together with hairs, it very well could have asbestos in it. It was continued to be used in some siding and shingles, and phased out in 1984. Some old stock may have been legally used up until 1990.

Posted by Trout na bout
2. If there are no markings declaring it should I be concerned?


Asbestos in plaster is often accompanied by fine hairs - usually horse hair. Asbestos siding is pretty recognizable - it looks a lot like asphalt shingles. We are surrounded by carcinogens everyday. Some say silicone, Teflon, and talc is worse than asbestos. I won't live in a glass bubble, and don't think about it much in residential areas. Industrial areas that have been vandalized and burned, I wear a mask. DEFINITELY in pipe chases and steam tunnels! If you are concerned, and you must be or you wouldn't be asking all this, I would wear a mask whether the area is marked as containing asbestos or not. Also note only a HEPA filter traps small enough particles to stop asbestos - anything else, you may as wear nothing at all....

Posted by Trout na bout
3. Does it have a certain smell?


Asbestos has no smell.

Posted by Trout na bout
4. Common signs of it an old abandoned houses


Wear a mask or stay away from homes that have been burned or vandalized - as in holes punched in walls. While possible it could be in a home built before 1990, I would be more suspect of a home built prior to 1977. Me personally? Again I don't sweat residential too much.



Final note - as I wrote in another post in this thread, asbestosis, aka mesothelioma, is much more prominent in smokers. Asbestos alone doesn't seem nearly as dangerous as we are led to believe. Combine it with smoking, and now you have a problem. My ex-wife used to do litigation for companies obligated to pay out to victims. In almost every case that came across her desk, the guy smoked as well. They were also employed by the industry. Auto shops using compressed air to clean brakes, pipe fitter installing insulation, or the factory workers that made the products that contained it. Once again, if you are concerned, just wear a respirator with HEPA cartridges in all your explores - it certainly wouldn't hurt! You can find one at a well stocked paint or builders supply store. If it doesn't actually say HEPA on it, the filter cartridges should be NIOSH P100 rated - they will be a pinkish-purple color. Start at about $30. Deuterium posted above with a pictures and a link....

OK - I am 5 edits in. I am calling this post close enough - you gets the idea even if mistakes remain!!


Archer edit: Breaking up the quote tags to make this more readable



[last edit 3/21/2019 4:35 AM by Archer - edited 6 times]

Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.

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UER Forum > UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > Asbestos (Viewed 13137 times)


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