Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral mined from the
ground, not a man-made fiber such as fiberglass. Asbestos fibers are very small
in size and have most recently been detected in materials found in buildings
built before the 1980s. Although asbestos can be very dangerous if inhaled, it
has unique qualities in that it is very strong and it doesn't burn - a reason
that it can be found in brake lining as well as in various building materials.
Friable
(FRY-able) asbestos - meaning that it crumbles easily - is more
dangerous than non-friable asbestos. Because this type of asbestos can break
apart easily, it can enter the air -- where it is most dangerous. An example of
friable asbestos is sprayed-on ceiling tile and an example of non-friable
asbestos is vinyl-asbestos floor tile (VAT). If you do not disturb (saw, drill,
sand, cut, etc.) non-friable asbestos then the asbestos fibers will more than
likely stay in the tiles where they are not harmful.
Asbestos
becomes harmful when it is inhaled. High volumes of asbestos can enter the air
through such activities as sawing, drilling, nailing and cutting materials that
contain asbestos. Once the asbestos is disturbed, then it breaks into tiny,
sharp fibers, which cannot be seen. You cannot see, feel, or taste asbestos
fibers. The miniscule size of these fibers allows them to easily enter
one's lungs. It is difficult to determine whether one has actually inhaled asbestos
because there is no immediate physical reactions when inhaling asbestos -
meaning it does not make a person sneeze or cough when inhaled. Once asbestos
is in the air, then it travels with the air throughout the building or house,
spreading quite easily.
Back to PLANNING, DESIGN & RESEARCH ENGINEERS, INC. Home
Page