What filters would I need for protection from asbestos?

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I need to know what kind of filters are raited for asbestos protection I thought any P100 would work but I am not sure and do not want to risk it. Exposure is going to be no longer than a few hours at a time and I am not doing any cleanup so I won't be stirring the area too much there are pipes with broken insulation in some areas that I will be walking past. Thanks in advance! OSHA and the EPA's sites are remarkably unhelpful :-/
OSHA does not specify catridges. They just say that up to 1.0 f/cc you need a HEPA, which P100s fit the bill. They are still the standard.

There have been changes in the respiratory standard including change out scheduling. you may want to review that.  (+ info)

Can asbestos exposure be linked to strep throat?

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I have a 7 year old who has had trouble for over 2 years with strep throat. So much that she has had to have her tonsils removed this past August. I have recently found out through her school that they are going to be doing an asbestos abatement. Can this be linked?
No. Strep throat is common among that age group, and it's caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. They can spread through airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose or mouth. Kitchen utensils and bathroom objects are other common sources of infection transmission. Kindergarden and preschool children are notorious bacteria and virus havens, which is why you see them with the runny nose/sore throats so often.

Asbestos abatement is done to remove it from a school building, before it has caused or will cause a problem. There are plenty of schools out there that have asbestos, but because the cost of removal is so high- a lot of places can only afford to do so many schools at a time. The asbestos is kept under watch, and if it does show signs of breaking down, where it would become a hazard- then it obviously becomes a priority. Asbestos that is intact is usually left undisturbed, as it is safe in that intact form. Safer than having it fly all around, like during the removal process. Your daughter's strep throat is not linked to the asbestos at all. It's linked to being part of the risky age group, and playing with all the other kids. Some kids are just more susceptible to the infection than others, and some just seem to harbor it no matter what you do. When you get caught in the viscious circle of reinfection, then removal of the tonsils is in order. The only people at risk from the asbestos would be the workers who will remove it. Had there been any sign it was breaking down before, they wouldn't have let the kids in the building. Your daughter has likely never had any asbestos exposure at school at all. But she obviously had contact with a strep carrier.  (+ info)

If you have lung cancer from asbestos exposure, it is mesothelioma or can you have other types of lung cancer?

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If your lung cancer is from asbestos, is it diagnosed mesothelioma or can you have other types?
There are actually several types of cancers for which asbestos is implicated. There is even a gall bladder cancer. Asbestos caused lung cancer does not have to be mesothelioma.  (+ info)

How can I find out if asbestos was present in a rural school that I did work on ten years ago?

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When did the EPA start requiring that schools be tested for asbestos?
All schools in the USA must have been inspected under the AHERA standard in late 1987 or early 1988 or when first opened after that. From that each school and school system must have a mangement plan that describes how they deal with asbestos. You can contact the school system and review the management plan. You will probably have to go to them to read the document. You may be able to go to the state school group, but that is a much harder process because most of the plans were probably archived.  (+ info)

What does Asbestos do to your eyes?

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I work in the field of asbestos abatement. It can cause cancer in the lungs, cause little scars in your skin, but what about your eyes. What is the short term and long term affect. Ive heard nothing but that is a bunch of crap!
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How do i test my house for Asbestos?

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is there a chep way to get my house tested for asbestos? can i do it myself?
I doubt there is any in your house...asbestos is a mineral, and it is not dangerous if it is confined...it is only hazardous if it is disturbed and the tiny particles get into the air...there is no chemical test that I know of, the danger is physical rather than chemical...the tiny particles will lodge in the lungs and cause problems...If you happen to come across any asbestos, proffessional removal is recommended...if you need to touch or disturb it, just wetting it down will make it safe...the particles can't get into the air if the asbestos is wet...
But as I said, i doubt any is in your house, asbestos was used mainly in industrial settings, like insulation around steam pipes...  (+ info)

Is there a way to test air in home for asbestos?

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Does anyone know of a company or someone to call to come to my home and test the air for asbestos? And would it be costly?
There are two types of air tests that can be done to check for airborne asbestos. Both involve pulling a measured quantity of air through an air sampling "cassette”. The type of cassette used determines the method of sample analysis.

The cheaper type is called Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). It involves taking the filter in the cassette and, after prepping the sample, looking at it under a PCM Microscope. What the analyst is looking for are any types of fiber that meets a certain criterion. This could be an asbestos fiber or some other type of fiber that meets the criterion. The theory behind this is that if there are less than a certain amount of fibers found on the cassette filter of any type found then the air is clean. The problem with this method is that it is very subjective and has a high variance between analysts. This test usually costs about $10.00 to $20.00 per sample plus on site costs that may be up to $500.00 depending on where you are. The number of samples taken depends on the size of the area you want tested with a minimum of 3 generally required. Clearance levels (or clean air) for this method is less than 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc).

The more expensive and extremely accurate test also involves pulling air through a cassette and is called Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The analysis of these cassettes are done with an electron microscope and looks specifically for asbestos fibers. Analysis of these cassettes can cost up to $200.00 per sample with the same on site costs. The number of samples taken also depends on the size of the area you want tested. Clearance levels for this method is 70 structures per millimeter squared or less.

An accredited asbestos air monitor should conduct the test. Accreditations are issued by the state you live in.

I suggest looking at the environmental yellow pages (search on the web) to find a consultant in your area.  (+ info)

I was exposed to asbestos for only one day, should I be worried?

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I was in an old abandoned building that was built using asbestos and walked around in it, did not touch anything, for a few hours today. I found out afterwards about the asbestos being there. Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do?
if you weren't disturbing anything you have nothing to fear. I suspect you go into buildings that contain asbestos all the time (old schools, churches, etc...). It was a common isolator (a very effective one at that) in the past. It becomes dangerous when it is disrupted (ie during restorations or tear downs) and particles float in the air. I suspect someone is trying to scare you to keep you out of abandoned buildings. abandoned buildings are always fun to explore when you take care and avoid homeless maniacs.  (+ info)

Some asbestos dust was tracked into our house. We have three small kids should we be concerned?

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My husband unknowingly started to demo our screened in porch. Later we found out it was asbestos tiles covered with drywall. Dust and chunks were all over. He walked into the house and out of the house a few times. We have 3 little kids and I am concerned that we have been exposed. He wet it all down, cleaned it up and used a hepa vac. Then wiped everything down. Could the air in our house be contaminated? What should we do! Are the kids in danger?
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Is wrapping asbestos in duct tape a common method of abatement and is it effective?

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We recently found asbestos in the exposed piping in our basement. It is wrapped in some sort of cloth, but the cloth is torn in several places, leaving the asbestos exposed. The property management company with which we deal as renters sent its maintenence crew out and they simply wrapped the asbestos in duct tape. Does anyone know if this is a common practice and if it is safe and effective? Thanks!
Short answer: encapsulation is a valid and common practice. But it doesn't sound like it was done well in this case.

It is legal to have asbestos in buildings, but in some cases (where is it is "friable" - making airborne fibers), it should be removed (carefully by trained people) or encapsulated.

One way to encapsulate it would be to wrap it in 6-mil or 10-mil polyethylene sheeting (heavier than what painters use) and secured with a good tape. 10-mil pipe wrap (2" wide, black with white writing on it) or the 6-mil stuff for vapor barriers (2" wide and red) are both good. Alumimum tape for use on actual ducts is fine too but not needed (it is more expensive).

"Duct tape" is not to be used on ducts (says so right on it) and it is not a good long-term solution. The adhesive only lasts a few years (a few months outside) and it doesn't stand up to UV exposure.

In the short-term, the duct tape would stop more fibers from being released. However, the fibers already released and the ones disturbed during their work (unless they sealed off the area and operated negative-pressure blowers), will remain in the area for months, based on controlled studies.  (+ info)

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