Asbestos hazards , ban , handling and disposal

1. ASBESTOS
Hazards and Disposal
Methods

2. ASBESTOS Intro1
• Asbestos ( /æsˈb ɛstəs/
or /æzˈb ɛstəs/; from
Greek ἄσβεστος,
"unquenchable" or
"inextinguishable") is a set
of six naturally occurring
silicate minerals used
commercially for their
desirable physical
properties
• They all have in common
their eponymous,
asbestiform habit, long,
(1:20) thin fibrous crystals

3. Asbestos in Nature intro2
Fibrous In-organic natural
mineral found in
abundance in the earth O2
Silica
Mined for centuries
Deposits around the H
world
Occurs in fire , primary and
metamorphic rocks Mg
Fe
Varies in chemical and
physical characteristics
Na
,

4. Asbestos ….. in buildings!? intro3
Building materials are presumed to contain
asbestos if installed before 1980, unless
testing has proven otherwise

5. TYPES OF ASBESTOS1
1-Chrysotile, white asbestos- OH O Si Mg
Member of Serpentine Group : Fibers are usually curly bundled and twisted
95% of world’s asbestos.
Hydrophilic ; can absorb water thus wetted to minimize fiber release.
Most flexible of all asbestos fibres and Less hazardous
Withstand the fiercest heat
Soft and flexible; spun and woven as easily as cotton.
Resistance to alkaline attack ; reinforcing material in asbestos-cement building products.
Banned in UK 1999.
Absorbs organic materials such as resins and polymers
Used to strengthen particulates such as cement.
-

6. TYPES OF ASBESTOS2
2-Amosite, brown asbestos- OH O Si Fe
Member of the Amphibole group.
Amosite is usually mined in South Africa.
Used in automobile industry clutch – brake pads
Harsh, spiky fibres have good tensile strength and resistance to heat.
In buildings, amosite was used for anti-condensation and acoustic purposes.
On structural steel, it was used for fire protection.
Between the 1920s and the late 1960s amosite was used in preformed thermal insulation, pipes,
slabs and moulded pipe fitting covers.
In the UK amosite was also used widely in the manufacture of insulation boards. The import of
amosite was banned as of 1 January 1986 by The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1985

7. TYPES OF ASBESTOS3
3- Crocidolite, blue asbestos-
OH O Si Fe Fe Na
Needlelike fibres straight and brittle
5 – 6 % of world’s asbestos.
Member of the Amphibole group.
The needle like fibres are strongest
High resistance to acids.
Use in yarn and rope lagging from 1880s-1960s
Thermal insulation 1920s-1950s.
High bulk volume
Sprayed insulation; a product frst manufactured
in USA in 1931
Most lethal
Strict guidelines since 1969.
The "import, supply and use of crude, fibre,
flake, powder or waste was banned after
Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations of 1985

8. Friable Vs. Non-Friable Asbestos1
Friable asbestos
Crumbled, pulverized
or powdered by hand
pressure.
If friable ACM
asbestos-containing
material is damaged or
disturbed,
it presents inhalation
risk.
Asbestos fibres are
more easily released
into the air.
Sprayed fireproofing
on structural
steelwork, or thermal
insulation on pipes.

9. Friable Vs Non-Friable Asbestos2
Non- Friable asbestos
Asbestos fibres are bound or locked into the product matrix
Fibres are not readily released.
Risk for fibre release only when it is subject to significant abrasion through
activities such as sanding or cutting with electric power tools.
Vinyl asbestos floor tiles, acoustic ceiling tiles, and asbestos cement
products.

10. Asbestos around the world
Asbestos is produced in 25 countries mainly Canada Australia
South Africa Eastern Europe Countries,China and Japan

11. Rise and Fall of Asbestos1
Asbestos Production 1950
70s 1960
1970
50s
60s

12. Rise and Fall of Asbestos2
6
5
4
3 3 million tons
5 million tons
2
1
0
1970s 1990s

13. Uses of Asbestos1
1. Thermal System Insulation : to prevent heat
loss/transfer in pipes, boilers, chilled water
condensation tanks, heat
exchangers, HVAC’s, process equipment, etc.
2. Surfacing Materials : sprayed or troweled on surfaces
such as walls and ceilings for acoustical or decorative
purposes, fireproofing, textured purposes, textured
plastics, etc.
3. Miscellaneous Materials : non-friable materials such as
cement products, roofing, floor tiles, outdoor
siding, gaskets, and fabrics, brake linings

14. Uses of Asbestos2
Mixing with other material such •
as cement increases durability
and strength •
Was used in cooking hardware •
High resistance to flames •
Can be moulded to any shape or •
form according to consumer
needs
3000 uses for asbestos •

15. Uses of Asbestos3
Asbesto conc ranges from •
Tiles 1%-100% in commercial
material
Asbestos is used in •
buildings , roofs, insulation
units piping netoworksand
ventilation systems
Asbestos cement •
crayons

16. Uses of Asbestos4
Asbestos tile
Fire proof door
brakes

17. Uses of Asbestos5
Lavatory unit -
Roof made of white asbestos
Heating unit made of white and brown
asbestos at ratio of -
roof made of brown asbestos
-
Roof made of white asbestos
viinyl floor with bitumen sealant
with 1-5% white asbestos

18. A typical asbestos infested
building

19. Asbestos Hazards1
Asbestos waste is highly hazardous .
Hazardous characteristics are due to type of metals and physical properties of
the asbestos fibres
Health effects increase factors : exposure timing – length of fibers – number of
fibres – strenght of fibers

20. Asbestos Hazards2
Asbestos diseases are more prone to
workers on-site and can cause death at
higher rate than any other WORK
RELATED ILLNESS
USEPA classifies asbestos as
HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANT HAP
Strict enforcement measures against
asbestos removal and disposal works by
USEPA and ILO
15-60 years for first symptoms to develop
If inhaled ONCE asbestos fibres will cause
asbestosis

21. Exposure1
US Federal Government Agency
Recommendations on Exposure Limits
• On July 12, 1989, EPA established a ban
on new uses of asbestos
• NIOSH has recommended that 0.1
Fiber/cubic centimeter (fiber >5µm long)
/400 liter is carcinogen.

22. Exposure2
1-Air
Inhalation at home or
workplace
workplace air
environment 0.5
fiber/cm3
Asbestos is classified
as carcinogenic by
WHO

23. Exposure 3
2-Water
WHO studies have
not shown link
between cancer and
swallowing
Debate if asbestos
fibers present in
potable water
Does / Does Not
present hazard

24. Exposure 4
Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)
No exposure limit
in homes and
offices

25. Exposure 5
Time-Weighted Average (TWA)
0.1 of asbestos fibers/1 cm3 of air in 8
hours of exposure
Short term Excursion Limit
0.10.1 of asbestos fibers/1 cm3 of air in
30 minutes average of exposure

26. Exposure 6
• Miners of asbestos
• Shipyard workers
• Power plant workers
• Brake lining workers
• Pipe fitters
• Insulators
• Boiler makers and repairers
• Maintenance workers
• Workers in the production of fire bricks, fire-retardants
paints, asbestos cement, and other asbestos-containing
products

27. Exposure7
• Fibers come from naturally occurring sources of asbestos
• Wearing down or distance of manufactured products including
insulation, automotive brakes and clutches, ceiling and floor
tiles, dry wall, roof shingles and cement

28. Asbestos Diseases 1

29. Asbestos Diseases 2
Asbestosis
• Scarring of lung
tissue reducing
ability to take oxygen.
• Dose related disease
;repeated regular
exposures.
• Debilitating disease
and can be fatal.
• Latency period 10-20
years

30. Asbestos Diseases 3
Lung Cancer
• Asbestos fibers are breathed
in, and trapped in lungs.
• Levels of fibers in lung tissue
build up over time
• Cause lung cancer after years of
exposure.
• Lung cancer is usually fatal.
• Latency period 20 years

31. Asbestos Diseases 4
Mesothelioma
• Rare but deadliest
• Cancer of pleural lining of lung/peritoneal
lining of chest cavity.
• Not dose related
• Even single exposure may cause disease.
• Even people who have only indirect contact
with asbestos get it,
• Also called “bystander’s” disease.
• Latency period 20 to 30years .

32. Asbestos Diseases 5
Medicine ?!
• No cure for Asbestos related diseases
• Is there a safe exposure?
• No exposure to asbestos is a ”safe exposure”.
• Something that can neither be seen, smelled, felt and long time
later that can kill you is something to think about seriously.
• Be SAFE. Be PROTECTED
• Create Asbestos free environment.

33. Asbestos Ban1
Protocol No. 162 , 1986 in ILO’s 92nd
Ban of asbestos in any shape or form
Resolution concerning Asbestos ILO General
Conference 2006
Asbestos including chrysotile, are classified as
known human carcinogens by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer

34. Asbestos Ban2

35. Asbestos Ban3

36. Asbestos Ban4
• Asbestos phase-out
• Other eco-friendly alternative material
such as Rockwool or recycled sludges
• Still used in India and China

37. Asbestos
Regulatory agencies
OSHA Occupational Safety &
Health Association
USEPA United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
ILO International Labor
Organization

38. Arab Countries
• Banned my most Arab countries
• Phase-out plans
• Surveys and studies
• Ministries of Environment

39. US International Programme for
Chemical Safety
100, 000 workers die yearly by exposure to asbestos,
Workers face serious risks from asbestos exposure ; Asbestos
Removal, demolition, building maintenance, ship breaking and waste
handling activities,
Three decades of efforts and alternatives for a ban on manufacture
and use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products
Objective of Promotional Framework for Occupational safety and
health Convention 2006 is to prevent occupational injuries, diseases
and deaths.

40. Asbestos Removal 1
• Environmental criteria in specs of
demolition contracts
• Providing technical requirements to
construction contractors after progress of
works
• Deficiencies on-site

41. Asbestos Removal 2
Detection
POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY
USEPA 40 CFR part 763, Subpart E, Appendix A
for sampling and analyzing air samples-
transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM) 29 CFR 1910.1001, Appendix
A & B: OSHA Reference method for sampling and
analyzing air samples
USEPA 40 CFR part 763, Subpart E, Appendix E
for bulk samples- method-
1: Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) USEPA 40
CFR part 763, Subpart E, Appendix E for bulk
samples- method-
2: X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) 29 CFR
1910.1001, Appendix J (method ID-191): OSHA
Reference method for sampling and analyzing bulk
samples

42. Asbestos Removal 3
Asbestos disposal
requirements for active
and inactive disposal
sites under NESHAPs
(40 CFR Part
61, subpart M)

43. • The demolition work of Asbestos Containing
Material (ACM ) is a very specialized task
• Experience in handling hazardous ACM
• Many contractors have no experience in handling
Asbestos and have not completed similar projects .

44. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 1
– Area barricading –
– Concrete barrier, warning tapes and warning signs
– Tarpaulin or plastic material woven sheet upto height of building
to be demolished.

45. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 2
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
Respirator Masks –
Workers should use air supplied breathing masks only.
Workers should not use reusable or disposal respirators.

46. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 3
Special Safety Signage

47. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 4
Training

48. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 5
Wetting of ACM – Contractor should wet all
friable ACM

49. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 6
Packaging of ACM
Proper packaging ,sealing and encapsulation of friable ACM
.

50. Basic Requirements
Asbestos Removal Works 7
Handy Tools
.

51. Transport of Asbestos
ASBESTOS WASTE TRANSPORT
Special sealed trucks designed and
equipped and licensed for safe transfer of
asbestos

52. Improper Handling of Asbestos

57. Correct way of handling asbestos

58. Disposal
• Detailed engineering design drawings for asbestos site landfill
• Reference to USEPA guidelines related to asbestos disposal
requirements for active and inactive disposal sites under NESHAPs
(40 CFR Part 61, subpart M) and specifies general requirements for
solid waste disposal under RCRA (40 CFR Part 257).
• Advance EPA notification of the intended disposal site is required by
NESHAP.
• Methodology submitted by contractors should meet required
standards set by USEPA for asbestos
demolition,removal,transport,handling,landfilling

60. Safe Disposal in Double Lined Landfill

62. Asbestos closed landfill

63. General Concerns
• Concerns about asbestos removal or dumping
activities
• Implementing governmental circular instructions
• Asbestos phase-out plans
• Safe removal and disposal of asbestos material
by qualified licensed contractors with hi-level of
expertise and professionalism
• Apply high engineering standards when dealing
with asbestos

64. Special Concerns
Destruction of infrastructure release of asbestos.
Bombs/missiles asbestos fibers are freed/inhaled with dust.
Apartment and office buildings in Lebanon use asbestos for heat insulation.
Most buildings erected or restored post-war
Western companies have been forced to pay tens of billions of dollars to ex-
employees who worked with asbestos.
EIA by MOE

65. Study on incidence of pleural mesothelioma and its relationship with the
occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos in Chekka region
1991-2000, 22 cases of malignant
mesothelioma were diagnosed at Hôtel-Dieu
de France Hospital.
The relationship between pleural
mesothelioma and a construciton company
with the related occupational and
environmental risk in Chekka region is
obvious.
The assessment of the incidence needs a
national cancer registry.
Despite the protective measures taken by the
government since 1996, an increase in the
incidence is suspected in the coming ten
years because of the long latency period of
the disease.

66. Results
• Fifteen among these 18 patients (83%) had a positive exposure history
• Occupational exposure in 11 cases
• Bystander exposure in 4 cases.
• The tumor was attributable to Company X in 12 cases among the exposed
15 (80%).
• Mean latency period between exposition and diagnosis was 29 years.
• 15 patients died from the progression of their disease after a
median survival of 8 months.

67. 25
20
15
10
5
0
Statistics are from, 2001 Asbestos Study by
Kattan J, Faraj H, Ghosn M, Chahine G, Assaf E, Abadjian G, Khoury F.

68. Asbestos Deaths
•Malcolm McLaren, former manager of New York
Dolls and Sex Pistols, died on 8 April 2010.
•Billy Vaughn, American bandleader, died in 1991. •US Congressman Bruce Vento died of mesothelioma in
2000..
•Hamilton Jordan, Chief of Staff for U.S. President
•Rock and roll musician and songwriter Warren Zevon,
Jimmy Carter and lifelong cancer activist, died in after a long period of untreated illness and pain, was
2008. diagnosed with inoperable mesothelioma in the fall of
•Richard J. Herrnstein, psychologist and co-author 2002. died in 2003.
of The Bell Curve, died in 1994. •Christie Hennessy, the influential Irish singer-songwriter,
•Australian anti-racism activist Bob Bellear died in died of mesothelioma in 2007,
•Bob Miner, one of the founders of Software
2005.
Development Labs, the forerunner of Oracle Corporation,
•British science fiction writer Michael G. Coney, died of mesothelioma in 1994.
responsible for nearly 100 works, also died in •Scottish Labour MP John William MacDougall died of
2005. mesothelioma on August 13, 2008, after fighting the
•American film and television actor Paul Gleason, disease for two years.[45]
perhaps best known for his portrayal of Principal •Australian journalist and news presenter Peter Leonard
of Canberra succumbed to the condition on September
Richard Vernon in the 1985 film The Breakfast
23, 2008.
Club, died in 2006. •Terrence McCann, Olympic gold medalist and longtime
•Mickie Most, an English record producer, died of Executive Director of Toastmasters, died of
mesothelioma in 2003. mesothelioma on June 7, 2006, at his home in Dana
•Paul Rudolph, American architect, died in 1997. Point, California.
•Bernie Banton, an Australian workers' rights •Merlin Olsen, Pro Football Hall of Famer and television
actor, died on March 10, 2010, from mesothelioma that
activist,
had been diagnosed in 2009.
•Actor Steve McQueen was diagnosed with
peritoneal mesothelioma on December 22, 1979.

69. Recommendations

70. FOR YOU
STAY CLEAR FROM ANY CONSTRUCTION/
DEMOLITION SITE

71. FOR LAW MAKERS

72. • PUBLIC AWARENESS
• Special study to survey ACM
• Professional contractors with qualifications,experience
• Skilled ,trained and equipped personnel
• High HSE standards
• Error will result in release of airborne carcinogenic
asbestos fibres
• Set of rules/regulations
• Procedures for all types of asbestos works
• Contractor qualification requirements .
• Written and approved Scope Of Work for asbestos
demolition (even for 1 m2)