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Asbestos and Radon Exposure in Macon

Asbestos and Radon Exposure in Macon. By Andrew Hammett Kristina Deer Rachel Revis. Outline. Asbestos Around Us What is asbestos? The Problem Potential Health Effects Exposure Regulation and Reduction Radon Radiation What is Radon? The Problem Potential Health Effects

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Asbestos and Radon Exposure in Macon

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  1. Asbestos and Radon Exposure in Macon By Andrew Hammett Kristina Deer Rachel Revis

  2. Outline • Asbestos Around Us • What is asbestos? • The Problem • Potential Health Effects • Exposure Regulation and Reduction • Radon Radiation • What is Radon? • The Problem • Potential Health Effects • Exposure Regulation and Reduction • Conclusion

  3. Asbestos Around Us

  4. What is Asbestos? • a naturally occurring fibrous mineral with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. • used commonly in a variety of building construction materials, for insulation and as a fire-retardant.

  5. The Problem Exposure to flaking or shearing asbestos can cause: • asbestosis - scarring of the lungs resulting in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and to death • mesothelioma - cancer affecting the membranes lining the lungs and abdomen • lung cancer • cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum

  6. Exposure Regulation and Reduction • Permissible Exposure Limit • In both general industry and construction: • Long term workplace exposure must be limited to 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (0.2 f/cc), averaged over an eight-hour work shift • The excursion or short-term limit is one fiber per cubic centimeter of air (1 f/cc), averaged over a sampling period of 30 minutes.

  7. Exposure Regulation and Reduction • Asbestos Removal • Releases fibers, at times safer to leave Asbestos. • Two Methods for Removal During Building Demolition: • NESHAP • AACM • In June 2006, asbestos laden flooring was removed from the Willet Science Center

  8. Radon Radiation

  9. What is Radon? • A naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by decay of radium, a derivative of the radioactive decay of uranium • Isotopes • 219Rn, has a very short half life and comes from 235U (0.7% of natural uranium) • 220Rn, does not escape into air in significant quantities • 222Rn, occurs in decay of 238U (3.82 day half life)

  10. The Problem • 222Rn is main concern for public health • 222Rn produces alpha particles formed from decay of isotope • Particles enter body through inhalation • Radon enters individual houses/buildings through two methods: • Naturally occurring Radon is released from minerals in soil. Main concern for public health. • Radon dissolves in groundwater and migrates over long distances (up to 5 km). • Radon remains in solution until a gas phase is introduced (by turbulence or pressure release). May be directly emitted to gas phase above water table. • Radon in solution can enter house through pressure release from shower or bath

  11. Studying Potential Health Effects • Studies of thousands of miners have been conducted in uranium, iron, tin, and fluorspar mines in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, and the US. • Consistently demonstrated an increase in lung cancer incidence with exposure to radon.

  12. Cohort Study of Miners Studies demonstrated: • At equal cumulative exposures, low exposures in the range of the EPA action level over longer periods produced greater lung cancer risk than high exposures over short periods • Increased lung cancer risk with radon exposure was observed even after controlling for, or in the absence of, other potentially confounding mine exposures • Increased lung cancer risk has been observed in miners at relatively low cumulative exposures • Nonsmoking miners exposed to radon have been observed to have an increased risk of lung cancer

  13. Extrapolating problems • generally higher 222Rn concentrations, • more airborne dust, and larger dust particle diameter in mines compared to homes • other toxic pollutants present in mines, age and sex differences in sample population (miners vs whole pop.) • higher levels of physical activity (higher respiration rates, more oral or mouth breathing) • have shorter term high exposure compared to lifelong lower concentrations • most miners were smokers

  14. Exposure Regulation and Reduction • Based on these and other studies, the EPA has set Radon exposure guidelines:

  15. Exposure Regulation and Reduction • Way to reduce radon in your home: • Test, determine if the levels in your home are above 4 pCi/L. • Install a vent pipe system with a fan. This will pull the radon from the basement of a home and vent it through the roof. • A home should be tested every 2 years.

  16. Conclusion • Asbestos and radon exposures can lead to serious health problems including cancer and lung disease • Asbestos is only toxic if it is released in to the air, so sometimes it’s safer to leave it alone • Radon is dangerous at any level, so it should be reduced as much as possible

  17. Questions

  18. References • Clin, B.; Morlais, F.; Guittet, L.; Gislard, A.; Marquignon, M.-F.; Paris, C.; Caillard, J.-F.; Launoy, G.; Letourneux, M.. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Aug2009, Vol. 66 Issue 8, p7-7, 1p • http://ehs.okstate.edu/training/OSHASBES.HTM • http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html • www.Mercer.edu • http://www.buildings.com/ArticleDetails/tabid/3321/ArticleID/5645/Default.aspx • http://www.topasbestosremoval.co.uk/asbestosremovalcost.php • Anonymous. EPA Study Looks for Better Asbestos Removal TechnologyProfessional Safety. Des Plaines: Jul 2007. Vol. 52, Iss. 7; pg. 6, 1 pgs • http://www.hertelglobal.com/?q=en/node/24 • http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html • http://www.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2007/12/question.jpg • http://www.ancestral.com/cultures/north_america/navajo.html

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