What you should know about
asbestos in buildings


Safe Buildings Alliance
 U.S.A.




CONTENTS


Introduction


Assessing asbestos in your buildings

  • What should be done about the asbestos-containing materials that may be in your building?
  • How can you identify asbestos-containing materials?
  • When asbestos-containing products have been clearly identified, what is the next step?
  • What are the most important steps that building managers can take to control asbestos exposure?
  • Are there some circumstances in which custodial control of the asbestos-containing material is not the best option?
  • Does that mean that removing asbestos-containing materials is usually more dangerous than maintaining them in place?
  • What are the most important points to remember about asbestos-containing products in buildings?



    • Important information about asbestos


       The widespread natural occurrence of asbestos

  • What is asbestos?
  • How are people usually exposed to asbestos?
  • Is asbestos exposure an everyday occurrence?
  • Can people avoid exposure to asbestos?
  • Do these routine exposures endanger the public?



    •    Uses of asbestos

  • Why was asbestos used?
  • How widely was asbestos used in the United States?
  • Is asbestos still used in the United States?
  • Does the mere presence of asbestos-containing products pose a significant risk to building occupants?
  • What are some examples of asbestos-containing products found in buildings?
  • What type of asbestos-containing materials have caused the greatest concerns?
  • What levels of airborne asbestos fibres have actually been found in buildings?
  • How do airborne asbestos fibre levels in buildings and outside air compare to the levels associated with the workplace, and to existing government standards?
  • Will prolonged exposure to even low levels of asbestos fibres in a building (such as a school) cause a substantial health risk?
  • During which periods of school construction were asbestos-containing products used?
  • If an asbestos-containing product is found in a building, wouldn't it be best just to remove it?
  • Does that mean, then, that some removal taking place today may create a serious risk?



    •    Asbestos and Health

  • What diseases are associated with asbestos exposure?
  • Even though workers in the historical workplace were exposed to very high levels of asbestos, doesn't any exposure to asbestos pose a serious health risk?
  • How, then can the risks of low levels of exposure be determined?
  • How do the government's risk assessments for typical buildings with asbestos-containing products compare with other risks of everyday life?
  • Does this mean that the public should not be concerned about any asbestos exposure in buildings?
  • Is this the opinion of a selected few or has it been corroborated by other scientific experts and governmental bodies?
  • Some claim that children are at greater risk from asbestos exposure than adults. Is this true?
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    References


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