Asbestos Questions and Answers Graded A

Asbestos Questions and Answers Graded A How is the word "asbestos" used in the industry? Asbestos is generic term used for any of the 6 types of naturally occurring mineral fibers. What elements are found in asbestos? All asbestos minerals fibers contain silicate with varying proportions of mangnesium, iron, calcium, aluminum, sodium and other trace elements. What general popertites does asbestos have that made them better than other products? Asbestos was strong, durable, and non-combustable What two mineralogical groups is asbestos fibers classified into? Serpentine and Amphibole Describe the fibers found in the first type asbestos group Fibers in the serpentine group have a sheet or layered structure and curly fibers Describe "chrysotile" fibers and how commonly they were used Chrysotile fibers are long, wavy and flexible. It is classfied under serpentine. Approx. 95% of all asbestos used was chrysotile. It is still used in 90% of the asbestos application. Describe amphibole fibers and the five types that were available Amphibile fibers are straight and have a chainlike structure. The five are: Crocidolite Amosite Anthophylite Tremolite Actinolite What two amphibole group fibers had significant commercial use? What is the difference between the two of them? Amosite and Crocidolite Amosite "brown asbestos" fibers are short, straight, and brittle Crocidolie "blue asbestos" fibers are long, straight, and brittle. This type concidered the mosth lethal of all asbestos types. How is asbestos produced? Asbstos is mined in places like russia, china, zimbabwe, kazakhstan, and south africa. The last mine in canada was in quebec which closed down in 2011 What specific properties make asbestos so useful? they resist: burning even at high temps. breaking corrosion biological and are very flexible. What main factor will determine ASM will be handled? Its friability What applications did friabable sprayed products have? Acoustic or thermal insulation on structural steel, hotels, and resturants. It was widely used until the 1970s. What are the three main catagoires of diseases that can develop from asbestos fibers? Asbestosis Lung canancer (aka "Bronchogenic carcinoma") Mesothelioms (cancer of the membrane lining the outside of the lungs) What effect does asbestosis have on the body? The scare tissue that develops from the fibers will eventually cause the lungs to stiffen which makes it difficult to breathe. When can asbestosis begin to take an effecto on workers exposed to asbestos fibers? Workers can begin to feel the onset of the disease 10-30 years after exposure. What are some early and advanced symptoms of asbestosis? Early sypmtoms include: shortness of breathe after excerise dry cough generalized feeling of illness Advanced symptoms include more sever shortness of breathe coughing blood recurrent respiratory infections How does lung cancer develop with asbestos fibers? Asbestos fibers trapped in the lungs can trigger cancerous growth in lung tissue which will produce a tumour limiting lung function Approx. what proportion of workers exposed to asbestos fibers suffer from asbstos related lung problems? How much exposre is needed to get asbestos related lung cancer? Approx. 5-15% of asbestos related lung problems are lung cancer. Workers only need a few weeks fo exposure to get cancer early as 20 years. What impact does smoking have on workers exposed to asbestos fibers? Workers who smoke and have had enough exposure to asbestos will experience a synergistic effect which will increase the chance of getting lung cancer by up to 70 times. How likely is someone exposed to asbestos fibers to get mesothelioma? Is asbestos the likely cluprit for getting mesothelioma? Out a million workers, only 7-40 will get mesothelioma but the ones who get it will likely die within one year of being diagnosed. Approx. 85% of mesothelioma suffers will have had exposure to asbestos. what are the symptoms of mesothelioma and when would a worker likely experience them? Symptoms can appear 20-50 years afeter exposure which could be: shortness of breath cough chest pains What is a "qualified person" required to do when he or she suspects asbestos in the workplace? They are required to collect samples of all suspected ACM by using the prescribed methods in sec. 6.1 of the ohsr. Who is considered a qualified person in dealing with asbestos a person with extensive training or experience: CIH ROH CSP CRSP P. Eng or other (including OHS grads) When does OHS law require a Risk Assessment to be done? Risk assessments must be done prior to any demolition, alteration, or repair of any machinery, equipment, or structures where asbestos-containing material may be disturbed. What is the purpose of an OHS Law required risk assessment? To classify any work activity related to asbestos as a low, moderate, or high risk activity. What is involved in the first stage of a work activity related to asbestos? The first stage of an asbestos risk assessment involves evaluating parameters that are indicative of the likelihood of worker exposure. The following parameters most commonly looked at include: Main parameters -accessibility -condition of asbestos containing material -firability -presence in return air plenum -precentage of asbestos content Other parameters extend of water damage exposed friable surface area activity and movement What does phase two of risk assessment involve? Eachof the parameters in phase one will be given a score to indicate the potential for exposure. The scores will be added to derive the overall risk factor which will be used to prioritize and control abatement. how often should asbesto contaminent and decontaminent facilty rooms be checked? How would airflow be checked? they should be checked daily for gaps or breaks in contaminent. air flow areas also need to be checked to ensure clean and clear of any contaminent. visual checks are often done along with smoke tubes and pressure differentials. How many air samples are required in a site that has asbestos? air sampling must be done daily to determine effectiveness of controls. How large of a sample in cubic meters is required and what is the allowable limit? Two samples are required to be take, each at minimum of 270 cubic meters. there must be <0.02 fibers/ml How soon do results need to be shown to workers? Within 24 hours What are the four options for asbestos abatment? leave it alone encapsulate it enclose it remove it the first three require a "managment plan" What is required in a management plan? Requires routine checks for damage and deterioration Matrials must be inventorired and labelled to make maintenance staff and others aware Staff training required on what to do if materials get damaged or access changes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of "leave it alone" and when is it used? Its only an option if a RA determines the spread of fibres is highly unlikely Advantages: intial low cost minimum disruption to building operation Disadvantages: ongoing monitoring and re-evaluation is necessary potential for exposure remains what are some things to note about "Encapsulation?" It's a temporary measure the material is coated with a bonding agent/sealent must be done where no further contact will occur must be capable of supporting the extra weight fire rating must be considered advantages/disadvantages similar to leave it alone How does enclosure protect workers? Give an example of poorly used enclosure. A barrier or enclosure is errected to prevent access. Acceptable materials include drywall, plywood, brick, sheet metal, etc.. A suspended ceiling is too easily accessed so would nt be considered an acceptable enclosure What are some advantages and disadvantages of enclosure? advantages/disadvantages are similar to encapsulation but addition to that, fibers can accumulate within the enclusure and it may be expensive to remove or relocate sysems which require accessing. When is asbestos removal required? If there is a demolition or major renovation the asbestos will be removed for burial. Workers must have training and PPE. What are tha advantages and disadvantages of removal? Advantages; eliminates the asbestos eleiminated need for ongoing mainteance program can be cheapest option in the long run Disadvantages: expensive, complicated must replace removed insulation, fire proofing substitue material may also be hazardous risk of exposure during removal process Is asbestos still used in automobiles? Yes. It hasn't been banned from brake shoes, brake pads, and clutch plates. workers need to be trained and handling parts containing asbestos. Workers should nevers clean brake assemblies with compressed air.