How to Safely Remove Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos! It's a strong fire-resistant fiber which was widely used in the past for fireproofing and insulation purposes. The problem with it is that is has these small, buoyant fibers which can easily be inhaled or swallowed by people. These damaging particles have been proven to cause a number of very serious diseases which including asbestosis, (which is a chronic disease of the lungs that makes breathing extremely difficult), and cancers. So, it's little wonder then why folks are concerned when removing asbestos floor tiles from older buildings.

Vinyl floor tiles contain asbestos (vinyl, asbestos tile - VAT) and should be handled with extreme care when being removed. The first rule is to ensure the material is in non-friable state. Asbestos is considered non-friable when the material CANNOT be reduced to dust by hand pressure. Non-friable asbestos can become friable should the tile(s) be damaged or smashed, which could mean these harmful fibers may be freed.

Removing these tiles is no easy picnic. To start with, you will need to wear protective gear such as a respirator and safety glasses which will result in harder breathing and poorer vision. The removal of VAT has to be done in whole pieces so as to keep the material in a non-friable state. This means that it is not safe to grind, saw or drill to assist removal.

In most states, asbestos must only be removed by licensed asbestos abatement contractors who are fully equipped and educated in the safe removal and disposal of such materials. They will usually come armed with plastic sheets to stop the particles from moving freely. VAT's are usually wetted down too, so as to prevent any particles from becoming airborne during the removal process.

Safely removing asbestos floor tiles is a serious business and they are usually placed in leak proof containers and marked clearly with wording similar to "DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS"

Once removal has been accomplished, the sealed containers are transported by the authorized agent to an EPA approved landfill site where it gets buried. There are formalities and administrative procedures necessary to record the job at hand, and the relevant authorities are presented with the appropriate documents for filing upon completion.

It is NOT recommended to attempt the removal of VAT yourself and there are probably penalties if you try to and get found out. Also, the waste product needs to be disposed of safely and cannot simply be dumped with your local trash.

For more detailed information and procedures regarding the safe removal of asbestos products, search online or contact your local authorities for an up to date fact sheet.

Andy Maingam writes articles for the website Floors for folks dot com where he has pieces on the stunning marble floor tiles and the benefits of Radiant floor heating. He also has other pieces on the site related to floor coverings and treatments.

Asbestos In Your Home -- Don't Give Your Kids Cancer

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fibre that is known for its heat resistance and strength. It is also very resistant to acid. Asbestos can only positively be identified under a microscope, however, asbestos in the home and workplace is very easy to identify. As asbestos ages it starts to crumble and break, the fibres which are deadly are then released into the air and breathed in.

What Illnesses are caused by Asbestos?

The tiny fibres that are released by the asbestos penetrate deeply into the lungs and remain in the individuals lungs for the rest of their lives. Constant or regular exposure to high does of asbestos fibres can cause scarring of the lung tissue and respiratory disease asbestosis. Exposures to low amounts of asbestos are still highly dangerous and can cause lung cancer. Direct contact with asbestos can also cause Mesothelioma ? a form of cancer exclusively linked to asbestos exposure. Symptoms of asbestos exposure usually take 20 ? 40 years to develop and 100% of cases are fatal. All types of asbestos cause cancer and all types of asbestos cancers can kill. Children are especially prone to developing cancer after exposure to asbestos.

What Products Contain Asbestos?

- Floor Tiles

- Ceiling Tiles

- Sprayed on Textures Ceilings

- Wrapping For Pipes

- Boiler Insulation

- Fire Proofing ? Surfaces and Similar

- Roof Tiles

- Roof Tar

- Heaters ? Gas & Electric

What To Do If You Suspect You Are In Contact With Asbestos

Should you discover or suspect that you have asbestos in any part of your home or business you need to make a decision based on the amount of exposure and the condition of the asbestos. The most important factor is the general condition of the asbestos. If it is crumbling or broken it must be removed immediately as it will be releasing deadly asbestos fibres into the surrounding area. You must not remove the asbestos yourself. The asbestos needs to be removed and disposed by a properly qualified and protected individual. Call your local government office or council immediately and seek advice on recognised companies that can remove the asbestos safely.

If you are a home owner or a tenant you must make arrangements immediately to have the asbestos encapsulated or removed. You are liable for any person who develops cancer as a result of exposure in your home.

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Asbestos Mesothelioma Resource: Get to Know It

For those of you that have no idea what mesothelioma is; or at least knows that it's a type of cancer but would like to know more about it, this article on asbestos mesothelioma resource will attempt to inform you as much as possible. This disease may not be popular but it certainly destroys the lives of people who have mesothelioma and his or her close friends and relatives.

Causes

To start, mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a mineral called asbestos. Fortunately, not many people are at risk of the hazardous asbestos compared to other toxic material. Even so, according to the AJRCCM 1.3 million people are still vulnerable to poisonous asbestos.

These are the people who are most susceptible to be exposed to asbestos and obtain either pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma:

• Workers in mines of asbestos extraction
• People who work in the trade industry
• Workers at shipyards
• Manufacturers of Asbestos products
• Workers in the construction industry
• Workers in heating industry
• Family and friends of all of the above

The depressing part of it all is that getting mesothelioma isn't your fault, but because of negligence from the owners of these mines, shipyards, construction sites, etc. In the past these people have failed to implement safety measures and the consequences are being paid by everyone involved. The workers because of the illness and the owners because of all the compensation money they have to pay for every mesothelioma lawsuit they have had in the years.

Asbestos and the Law

Asbestos mesothelioma legal claims cost around $200 billion in the US. It is relatively easy to win a mesothelioma case because of the implications on how you obtained the disease. However, you must take into account that these people have had thousands of lawsuits throughout the years and they hire the best legal sharks out there. So it must be noted that they have techniques to drag and setback as much as possible the lawsuits.

After certain events in his life, Ermenegildo Billar has dedicated years of his life to understanding and helping people with the malignant mesothelioma. For your comfort he decided to create www.infothelioma.com so you can have easy access to his research.

Asbestos Removal

Many buildings hold the presence of carcinogenic Asbestos which was used in thermal system insulation and numerous other materials. Before the ban on ?popcorn ceilings? in the United States in 1978, its use was a common practice in the construction of homes. The ?popcorn ceiling? is a source of the dangerous Asbestos, and therefore initiates a health need to remove the Asbestos present in the home and get the same verified in a competent laboratory. Asbestos might also be found in homes built as late as 1986, and therefore initiates a need of even their inspection. It is essential to determine the location of Asbestos, and them remove and dispose of it.

After removal, a proper disposal is crucial. The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division regulates the disposal of Asbestos as a solid waste. The requirements presented in this brief account on Asbestos Removal applies to Asbestos containing waste and is not inclusive of Category I and Category II non-friable Asbestos waste that has not been reduced, crumbled, or pulverized to powder.

It is essential to seal Asbestos-containing waste in leak-proof containers or wrappings. The packaged Asbestos should be labeled as specified by 29 CFR 1910.1001(j) (2) or 1926.58(k) (2) (iii). It is essential for the label to include the following information: ?DANGER. CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. AVOID CREATING DUST. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD.?

It is also essential for the labels to be in compliance with the 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) or OEBGD/FGS. To gain the value of visibility and legibility, it is essential to print the letters on the label in sufficient size and contrast. The labels must be printed in English, the host-nation language and DRMOs language. It should include the name and location of the waste generator.

The vehicle markings should be displayed such that they are easily readable and conform to the requirements for 51 cm?36 cm (20 in.?14 in) upright format signs as specified in 29 CFR 145(d) (4). It is essential to include the following important information in the lower panel with specified letter size, style, and visibility: ?DANGER. ASBESTOS. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. RESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ARE REQUIRED.?

A waste shipment record used for the shipments of Asbestos waste (40 CFR 61.150) is similar to the hazardous waste manifest requirement. It is the responsibility of the operator of the disposal facility to return a copy of the waste shipment record to the generator. It is always crucial to keep a copy of the waste record shipment for a period of 2 years.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affliated with Lung Cancer Stages

Asbestos And Mesothelioma 1

Asbestos, a naturally occurring complex silicate, was extensively used in many industries, including insulation in shipbuilding, manufacture of brake lining, and automobiles. Asbestos is a common name given to a group of six fibrous minerals which have their existence in two general forms, friable and non-friable. The toxic effects induced by asbestos inhalation include desquamating alveolitis, bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other more serious health ailments caused by asbestos exposure include pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pleural calcification, and Mesothelioma (a highly malignant disease).

Mesothelioma, a serious health problem associated with asbestos exposure, starts when cells found in mesothelium (a protective lining that covers most of the internal organs of the body) becomes abnormal and divides without control and order. These cancer cells may spread to damage tissues and organs. The diagnosis of Mesothelioma is difficult by pleural cytology. The characteristic radiographic feature of the disease is massive pleural effusion.

The disease is almost three times more common in males as compared to females. The maximum number of Mesothelioma cases is reported in the age group of 40-60 years. The most common symptoms observed during the onset of Mesothelioma include asthenia, breathlessness, and dull chest pain. Other less frequent symptoms include cough, fever, and loss of weight. Haemoptysis is a symptom of Mesothelioma which is rarely observed.

The therapeutic (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) means are mostly unable to help significantly in the treatment. Even radiotherapy and pleurectomy fail as effective treatment options. The average patient survival after the diagnosis of Mesothelioma is 8 to 10 months. The most preferable option can be of preventive treatment for Mesothelioma. Strict industrial safety measures, proper hygiene, and regular check up of workers exposed to asbestos must form the crucial part of serious Mesothelioma preventive treatment methods.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affliated with Lung Cancer Stages

400,000 New Yorkers Inhale one of the most Lethal Pollutants -Asbestos.

What they did not tell you about 9/11!

A Latest study by the U.S. government provides the recent evidence of a systematic cover-up of the health toll from pollution following the 9/11 catastrophe, which doctors dread will cause more deaths than the attacks themselves.

Belfast Telegraph says, The Bush administration witheld evidence of increasing danger and officially announced that the air surrounding the felled buildings was "safe to breathe".

But results of the government study, conducted by a consortium of researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Columbia University, New York University, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, show exposure-related increases in new-onset cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and bronchial hyperreactivity more than two years after the disaster.

Ambient air samples showed that asbestos levels in the WTC area were significantly elevated consequent to the September 11 attacks, but fell to within federal standards after the first few days.

"More research is required to decide whether long-term exposure to asbestos fibers may lead to an increased risk of lung mesothelioma, a rare cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure," said Landrigan. "Previous studies have shown the tiny chrysotile fibers found in the WTC dust to be the predominant fiber in lung mesothelioma tissue." It is vital to note that symptoms of mesothelioma may not surface until 30-50 years after exposure to asbestos.

Commonly symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are: shortness of breath, pain in the chest

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

weight loss, abdominal pain, swelling, bowel obstruction, blood clotting, anemia, fever.

If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

It is extremely important to see a doctor concerning any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Educate yourself on mesothelioma, asbestos and class action lawsuits. Check out latest breaking news on mesothelioma at http://www.mesolink.org

Other Articles by J Farrington http://www.whatyouneedtoknowpage.com

J Farrington, has been writing articles for a number of clients for years. If you would like more information on his work please visit HERE FOR MORE ARTICLES

Personal injury claims : Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral, which is heat resistant, insulating, and toxic. Asbestos was utilized in variety of everyday used products, such as for insulation of buildings and wiring, floor and ceiling tiles, up to around 1980 in United States. It was used in spite of evidence from early on that it was dangerous. As a result of this, large numbers of people have been exposed to asbestos for long periods. Thousands of people have developed life threatening deceases that have been linked to asbestos, such as asbestosis, peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Scientists have found that asbestos fibers when inhaled get clogged up in the lungs causing scaring and lesions, which in turn leads, to further complications and deceases including cancer, and eventually to death. Most of the asbestos related deceases do not surface for decades, which may explain the recent surge in number of people diagnosed with such deceases. People who were exposed to asbestos before 1980 at work including most construction workers, miners, shipbuilders, floor installers, insulators, auto repair workers and others are at serious risk of falling ill. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos even for a short time can with the help of a personal injury lawyer file a claim for compensation.

Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a non cancerous decease caused due to asbestos exposure. It develops when asbestos fibers get clogged in the lung. The resulting scars and inflammation stiffen the lungs and impede the flow of air through it, causing the symptoms of the decease, such as difficulty in breathing and severe cough. Anyone with asbestosis is considered to have an increased risk of other respiratory deceases. Pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a deadly lung cancer with no cure, caused by exposure to asbestos. The cancer is developed when asbestos fibers cause scars and lesions in the pleura (the membrane enveloping the lungs)

When asbestos fibers cause scars in peritoneum (the membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen) peritoneal mesothelioma develops. This decease is also a deadly cancer with no cure. Both these cancers may lie dormant for years, sometimes up to forty years after the exposure to asbestos. Symptoms when the cancer is diagnosed include chronic cough, stomach and chest pain, coughing of blood , shortness of breath, and weight loss. Presently there is no cure, but the cancer can be treated by surgery, removal of accumulated fluid from chest, chemotherapy, radiation, gene therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy.

If a person believes he or she is at risk of developing any of these deceases they should seek medical attention immediately. In addition they should seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer specializing in asbestos exposure related tort cases in order obtain compensation. The compensation may depend on several factors including, how long a person was exposed to asbestos, where he or she was exposed, and the present financial state of the companies legally responsible for the exposure that caused the person injury.

Personal injury resource center. Lots of great aritcles and other information about personal injury cases in areas across the US. Visit us at http://www.personalinjuryplace.com/

Mesothelioma: More About this Asbestos Cancer

Cancers and other forms of diseases are usually named
according to the part of the body or the internal organ
where abnormal growth of malignant cells takes place.
In the case of Mesothelioma, the abnormal cells grow in
the mesothelium, a surface cell layer that covers and
protects most internal organs. Normally, the
mesothelium produces small amount of fluid in order to
lubricate its layersone of which directly covers the
organand allow the movement of the organs, like the
expansion and contraction of the lungs. A Mesothelioma
cancer patients mesothelium produces too much of this
lubricating fluid, thereby damaging nearby tissues and
organs. The most common form of Mesothelioma is Pleural
Mesothelioma, which begins in the Pleural or
Peritoneum, the membrane that lines the chest cavity
and covers the lungs.

About 2,000 cases of Mesothelioma have been noted
yearly in United States. This is still a rare disease
to consider, although the reported incidents have
escalated in the past two decades. It has been observed
and proven that heavy and long exposure to asbestos is
the prime cause of Mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of
minerals in strong, flexible and fibrous form. It is
used in industrial products such as cement, brake
linings, textiles, electrical insulation, flooring
products, chemical filters, fireproofing materials and
others. This explains why most Mesothelioma patients
are working in construction sites, shipyards and
manufacturing companies of said industrial products.
Small asbestos particles float in the air and are
either inhaled or swallowed by workers or persons
within the vicinity. Aside from Mesothelioma, these
people can acquire asbestosis, a non-cancerous chronic
lung sickness and other forms of cancer of the lungs,
cancer of the larynx and kidney.

Asbestos-related Mesothelioma comprise only 70 to 80
percent of the all the reported cases of the said
cancer. There are reported Mesothelioma cases wherein
the patients did not have any known exposure to
asbestos. Some have been exposed only for a short
period of time but still developed the cancer 20 to 50
years after the exposure, like in the case of a
Mesothelioma cancer patient who only washed clothes
that have been exposed to asbestos. Likewise, asbestos
fibers that have been stuck in the hair strands of a
factory worker can also risk the health of others whom
he lives with. It is therefore important for workers
exposed to asbestos to change their clothes and take a
shower before leaving the workplace to prevent his
family members or companions from inhaling the asbestos
particles and thus, from acquiring Mesothelioma.

The Mesothelioma cancer is slow-forming. Thats why one
develops the cancer so many years after the exposure to
asbestos. Some develop the cancer fifty years after the
exposure, which makes it hard to determine whether the
person has Mesothelioma or not, especially when the
patient has no knowledge of the exposure to asbestos.
Moreover, malignant Mesothelioma shows signs similar to
those of other ailments such as pneumonia. Symptoms of
Pleural Mesothelioma also evident in other illnesses
include: shortness of breath, persistence of cough,
weight loss and chest pain. Peritoneal Mesothelioma,
which affects the abdominal cavity, is indicated by
swelling of and pain in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel
obstruction, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities and
fever.
Complete physical examination is needed to make sure
one has Mesothelioma cancer. This includes xrays of the
body part where the symptoms are felt or seen, CT scan
and MRI. To confirm Mesothelioma, a biopsy is also
performed by a surgeon or oncologist (a physician who
is specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a
cancer). The sample tissue removed by the surgeon is
examined by the pathologist. Once confirmed, the doctor
then finds out the extent of the cancer, which is
crucial to the treatment of Mesothelioma. Although
malignant, Mesothelioma when earlier diagnosed can
still be treated. Most Mesothelioma patients undergo
surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
David Arnold Livingston is an advocate for Health
and recommends, as a resource:
http://www.newmesothelioma.com/MesotheliomaCancer/