NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE Environmental Health and Safety Department

1. NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGEEnvironmental Health and Safety Department ASBESTOS Training Program 1

2. Objectives • To define asbestos • Identify asbestos containing materials (ACM) • Identify the health hazards of ACM • List ways to avoid asbestos exposure 2

3. What is Asbestos? Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. The different types of asbestos are: Amosite Chrysotile Tremolite Actinolite Anthophyllite Crocidolite Chrysotile is the most common, and is found in over 95% of all asbestos containing material. 3

4. Asbestos Properties • All types of asbestos tend to break into very tiny fibers. • Once released into the air, they may stay suspended there for hours or even days. • Asbestos fibers are virtually indestructible. • The properties of asbestos are what makes it • so dangerous. • Once inhaled it is impossible to remove from • lung tissue. 4

5. Where is Asbestos Found? • Asbestos can be found virtually anywhere and is still mined in other countries. • Sprayed on fire proofing and • insulation in buildings • Insulation for pipes and boilers • Wall and ceiling insulation • Ceiling tiles • Floor tiles • Putties, caulks, and cements 5

6. Where is Asbestos Found ? • Roofing shingles • Siding shingles on older buildings • Wall and ceiling texture in older buildings • and homes • Joint compound in older buildings • and homes • Brake linings and clutch pads 6

7. Asbestos Properties • Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable. • The term "friable" means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the air. • When asbestos is friable, it is easily inhaled. • Sprayed on asbestos insulation is highly friable. • Asbestos is non-friable when it is bound into other fibers. These fibers are harder to break down, but can be released by drilling, sanding or grinding the material. • Asbestos containing floor tile and asbestos containing lab benches are an example of non-friable asbestos. • IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTACT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT AT EXT. 4078 BEFORE WORK IS PERFORMED. 7

8. Health Effects • The body cannot break down or remove asbestos fibers once they are lodged in lung or body tissues. • They remain in place where they can cause disease. 8

9. Diseases Associated with Asbestos Asbestosis • Caused by repeated, long-term exposure to airborne asbestos Lung Cancer • The risk of lung cancer increases with repeated exposure to airborne asbestos Mesothelioma • Can be caused by even a minimal exposure to airborne asbestos and is generally fatal Injured Lung 9

10. Avoiding Asbestos Exposure • If you do not know whether something is asbestos or not, assume that it is until it is verified otherwise. • You cannot tell if floor or ceiling tiles contain asbestos just by looking at them. • If you have reason to suspect that something is asbestos DO NOT DISTURB IT. 10

11. Asbestos Program & Notification • Asbestos Program Notification Memo • The memo provides a brief summary of the results of a survey conducted to determine the presence, location, and condition of asbestos on campus • Click link to view memo • IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON ASBESTOS PLEASE CONTACT EHS @ 594-4078 11

12. All right, you are done, congratulations! Now take a test, click on the link and follow the instructions http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=1-asbestos