Asbestos in Schools: the facts.

I’ve been thinking about this for some time and it often pops back into my thoughts. “Asbestos in schools?” Why, is this still so highly debated by various parties? My opinion is that it all comes down to the queens head, yes money. We all know everything costs money and to a large extent the UK don’t appear to have much now we are nearing the double dip recession. Looks like I’ll be going back to supermarkets own brands, rather than my usual purchases. Well we all have to tighten our belt a little to make sure we have enough money for the future.

Let’s go over a couple of facts about asbestos;

If asbestos is damaged or deteriorating then the fibres can be released and breathed in. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. A large exposure can cause mesothelioma and so can small exposures, particularly as each exposure is cumulative. There is no known threshold below which there is no risk. Lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to asbestos but it is considered that the exposures will normally have to be greater than the very low levels in the case of mesothelioma.

And what about asbestos in schools;

The majority of schools contain asbestos which has been identified in a recent survey of the all UK schools. The teaching unions consider that total removal is the safest option, whereas the Government consider that “managing” asbestos is the best system.  If asbestos is in a good condition and undamaged then an effective system of management can be satisfactory. However there is increasing evidence that a significant number of schools are not managing their asbestos effectively, and that in many cases the asbestos is not in good condition. Much of it is hidden and a normal asbestos survey will not identify the fact that fibres are being given off, only comprehensive air-testing can determine that. 

The effective management of asbestos in schools is essential because children are particularly vulnerable to developing disease after an exposure to asbestos. This was proven in a recent report  detailed below;

A recent study by French researchers concludes persons exposed to asbestos at a young age are more likely to develop Mesothelioma than those exposed to asbestos at an older age.

Figures suggest 140 school teachers have died of mesothelioma in the last ten years. There is evidence of widespread asbestos exposure of teachers, support staff and children in schools and their ever increasing death toll. Despite this, and the verdict of the Coroner, Health and Safety Inspectors refuse to carry out an investigation of the evidence and refuse to acknowledge the verdict of “industrial disease.” They therefore fail to learn the lessons from this and many other identical verdicts. The result is that negligence and dangerous practice are not identified or corrected.

Let’s put it in terms of a scenario, if this teacher had been killed by the school bus the lovely policemen would have investigated the accident and, if negligence was found, they would have initiated a criminal prosecution. Lessons are then learnt and the crime is punished .

One would hope that eventually the government will act to ensure safety throughout all schools and the asbestos problem will be properly managed. On that note, little peps, goodbay for now until my next instalment.

Toodle pip

Auntie examines the global asbestos market

“Why are we still using a dangerous substance that is proven to shorten your life? It puzzles me that in this day and age asbestos is still being mined and exported to developing countries who then don’t have the money to remove it when it starts to decay!”

“To put things in context I’ve been donning my investigator hat and looking into the worldwide asbestos trade and the health implications of this.”

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. One form of asbestos, white asbestos, is still widely used in the construction industry in the developing world, but is banned on health grounds in many industrialised countries. Other forms of asbestos – blue and brown – are banned worldwide.

What is it used for?

Asbestos is heat and flame resistant, strong and cheap, and has many uses. It can be mixed with cement for roofing and flooring. It is also used to insulate pipes and ceilings, and to make brake shoes and pads.

Is it dangerous?

Through research by the BBC and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Fibre highlight the truth about asbestos use across four continents, and a global network of industry groups that has spent millions of dollars to promote it.

Microscopic fragments of all kinds of asbestos fibre are potentially dangerous when inhaled and may give rise to asbestos-related diseases:

• lung cancer, which is more common in people exposed to asbestos

• mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest, which is extremely rare in people who have not been exposed to asbestos

• asbestosis, a lung disease that causes shortness of breath and may lead to respiratory failure

White asbestos, known as chrysotile, is the only form of asbestos mined and used today. The World Health Organisation says it too is associated with mesothelioma, lung and other cancers, but its promoters say it is safe if used properly.

Where is it used?

White asbestos is banned in the European Union, Australia and more than 20 other countries.

It is still used, in limited quantities, in the US and Canada. The biggest consumers, by far, are China, India and Russia. The main exporters are Russia, Kazakhstan, Brazil and Canada.

Can it be used safely?

Some experts say white asbestos has less potential for harm than brown or blue asbestos, but even trade organisations promoting white asbestos say workers should avoid inhaling dust. Whether any safe level of exposure exists is disputed. US workplace standards allow a maximum 0.1 asbestos fibres per cubic centimetre of air – but the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that exposure to this maximum level over a working life will cause five lung cancer deaths and two asbestosis deaths for every 1,000 workers.

How can workers be protected?

They can wear protective clothing, such as respirator masks. Measures can also be taken to lower dust levels in the workplace by the use of extraction fans, regular vacuuming or spraying to keep surfaces wet.

Are workers’ families also at risk?

Those most at risk are workers exposed to high levels of asbestos dust over long periods. However, there are known cases where women have died from asbestos-related diseases after handling their husband’s dirty work clothes. Children of workers also have died from such second-hand exposure.

How long do asbestos-related diseases take to develop?

Asbestosis can develop within a decade of initial exposure to asbestos, though often takes longer. Mesothelioma can take 30, 40 or even 50 years to appear. Doctors say patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have only a poor chance of surviving for five years.

With all these highlighted health risks it is still shocking that asbestos is used in building materials and much more in the developing world.

“Why is the value of someone elses life in a different country less? Who will be the one to clean up the mess of asbestos cancers in 30 years?”

“Memo to nephews and nieces, save your pennies as more taxes will be paying for another countries greed!”

“Enough said on the matter! Right, where’s my cup of tea?”

A3AR Stimulation May Prevent Asbestos Cancer Development

Recent study showed that stimulation of adenosine receptors (A3AR) may help prevent tumor development after asbestos exposure and treat full blown malignant mesothelioma.

According to the study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, stimulation of A3AR decreased proliferation of cytotoxic effect on malignant mesothelioma cells and on healthy mesothelial cells exposed to asbestos and other toxic substances that can relatively cause the cancer.

Experts on general and thoracic surgery at the University of Ferrara in Italy said that a strong link has been established between exposure to asbestos and increased risk for pleural malignant mesothelioma. According to them, adenosine receptors play a key role in inflammatory processes and cancer, where it is involved in the regulation of cell death and proliferation.

Asbestos, how it all began!

Once upon time there was a bad queen who covered the world in asbestos! Ok, not likely, but it would be great if all this were a fairytale. Sadly the reality is not that and asbestos is a substance to be taken very seriously indeed.

Let’s get into the science bit with the strange names;

‘Asbestos’ is a generic term used for the fibrous forms of 6 naturally occurring minerals. They are all flame retardant, heat insulating, acid resisting, nonconductive and exceptionally stronger than steel.

1. Crocidolite (also known as ‘blue asbestos’)

2. Amosite (also known as ‘brown asbestos’)

3. Chrysotile (also known as ‘white asbestos’)

There are only 3 main types of asbestos fibres that are commercially used:

There is no simple test to identify the different fibres; laboratory examination is required (you cannot always distinguish by colour alone). All fibres can be dangerous in their raw form (as are  nearly all industrial raw materials), but blue and brown asbestos fibres are known to be much more dangerous than white asbestos fibres.

The 3 minerals fall into 2 distinct categories of asbestos minerals; the ‘amphiboles’ and ‘serpentines’. No these are not snakes!

Blue and brown asbestos fibres (and the other 3) fall into the ‘amphibole asbestos’ category; they are compounds of metal silicates consisting of short, sharp fibres. They are dusty and once inhaled the fibres are capable of existing in the human body for a great length of time. Wow I know more than I realised, sometimes I just forget what’s in my head!

White asbestos fibres falls into the ‘serpentine asbestos’ category; it is a compound of metal silicates consisting of softer, more flexible fibres. Once inhaled, their flexibility allows the fibres to be readily broken down in the body, hence their lower toxicity.

Asbestos in products

When asbestos fibres are incorporated into products, they lend the material their unique flame retardant, high strength properties.

Types of asbestos products

Asbestos fibres are incorporated into materials to produce either Low Density asbestos containing materials (ACMs), or High Density ACMs.

Low density ACMs have asbestos fibres left loose or mixed with a plaster and sprayed intocavities and onto surfaces requiring insulation. Such use (even with a plaster matrix) has a low resistance to wear and readily releases fibres when damaged. It is true that these materials are capable of posing measurable risk to health if damaged.

High Density ACMs have asbestos fibres hard encapsulated (HE) and sealed by mixing them into cement products which lends the cement unique properties.

Where asbestos products are found

It has been estimated that asbestos fibres have been used in over 3000 products. Below is a selection of items that MAY contain asbestos fibres.

Adhesives and thermal taping compounds

Cement products (pipes, roofing, wall panels, rain gutters and down pipes soffits, flues, and loft

cold water tanks)

Classroom chalkboards

Construction mastics (floor, tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc)

Cooling towers

Electrical equipment (ducts, panel partitions, cloth insulations)

Fire doors, curtains, blankets and other fireproofing materials

High temperature gaskets

Household heat resistant items (iron board covers, oven gloves)

Insulation (sprayapplied,

blownin,

electrical wiring, boilers, etc)

Laboratory equipment (hoods, table tops, gloves, etc)

Lift equipment (panels, brake shoes)

Plaster (acoustical, decorative)

Roofing material (shingles, felt, cement)

Textured paints / coatings

Tiles (floor, ceiling, panels, sheet flooring, backing)

Thermal paper products

Vehicular break pads

Packing materials

Probably more products than your thought contain asbestos

How asbestos fibres can affect health

We are all exposed to very low levels of asbestos fibres on a day to day basis, either in the ambient air or in drinking water. Exposure to these low levels of fibres DOES NOT cause us to develop asbestos related health problems.

Asbestos only starts to affect health when significant amounts of fibres are inhaled into the lungs.These levels of fibre release normally only occur when damage occurs to asbestos containing materials. Unfortunately, breathing in significant amounts of asbestos fibres can sadly lead to people developing one of these three main diseases:

1. asbestosis – a scarring of the lung, reducing lung function (this is not normally fatal but can progress to lung cancer)

2. lung cancer

3. mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining around the lungs and stomach (not associated with white asbestos products)

These diseases can take from 15 – 60 years from first exposure to develop and on exposure there will be no immediate changes in health.

I hope this has given a little more clarity to asbestos and where it is found and why it was used?

Still the big unanswered question is “why was it ever used when it is so dangerous”?

And my answer is…. ?????

Good day and report back soon luvvies.

Asbestos! blah blah

Well I am confused today, this however, of late, is very easily done and with more Christmas shin digs packed into my calendar than coffee mornings with the Vicar I’m one busy lady.

The big asbestos issues; Where is it? Is it dangerous? Should I remove it?

With all the controversy surrounding asbestos and how harmful it may or may not be it’s no wonder people are unsure what to do if they suspect they might have it in their building or home. I would be the talk of the village if the Vicar knew I might have some on my garage!

I’ve spent most of my life throwing caution to the wind but on this particular subject you really should know the facts. Would you walk into a burning fire? No, exactly, you know this will most certainly harm you.

The same principles apply to asbestos but maybe in not such harsh terms. It is harmful if the fibres are released and you breath them in. Asbestos in good condition poses only a very low risk so long as all the people operating in the building know where it is and know not to disturb it.

It’s the people and organisations, sat in their comfy chairs, who chose to ignore the problem and then face massive costs and fines over not managing their asbestos.

At work?

If you work in a building, ask yourself is their asbestos in this building?

Where is it located?

Is their a designated person responsible for monitoring that asbestos?

Do all people within the building know about the asbestos and that it should not be disturbed?

At home?

Do you live in an older property built before the year 2000?

Have you had an asbestos survey on your house?

Do you know if you have any asbestos present in your home?

Do you know what asbestos looks like?

These are some simple questions that you can ask yourself about asbestos. It really isn’t rocket science and wouldn’t you rather be aware of the risks so you can make a calculated judgement about what action to take.

As I always like to say “Better to be safe than covered in asbestos!”

Check back soon for some more asbestos talk time!

Some Common Questions about Asbestos

What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral, mined from rock found in many countries, including Russia, Canada, Australia and South Africa. It is made up of tiny fibres that are as strong as steel, but can be woven like cotton, and are highly resistant to heat and chemicals. Asbestos was dubbed the `Magic Mineral’ because of its unique properties and from the 1860s onwards it was used in thousands of products and buildings all over the world. There are three main types of asbestos that have been used in this country: brown asbestos (amosite); blue asbestos (crocidolite) and white asbestos (chrysotile).
From the late 1880s it was realised that this `Magic Mineral’ had a damaging effect on health, but the truth about the dangers of asbestos was hidden by employers, and successive Governments failed to act to protect workers. It was not until the mid-1980s that blue and brown asbestos were banned in the UK, and not until November 1999 that white asbestos was finally banned.
How does Asbestos damage health?
Asbestos damages health when asbestos fibres are breathed (inhaled) into the lungs. Because asbestos fibres are so fine, they can penetrate deep into the smallest airways of the lungs so that they cannot be easily breathed or coughed out. Once the fibres are inside the lungs, the body’s defence mechanism tries to break them down and remove them. Each fibre is a foreign body, like a splinter in a finger. As the body tries to neutralise and break down the irritating fibres, inflammations develop.
These processes lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos fibres are so strong that they can also penetrate through tissue into the sensitive lining of the lungs (the pleura) causing illness. Once fibres are in the body, they can move around, not only into the pleura, but also the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Fibres can also be swallowed (ingested). For example, when mucous and sputum that contain a lot of fibres are swallowed, some of these fibres can stick in the intestinal track and from there they can move into the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). Fibres can penetrate the skin and cause irritation and reddening. Because of this, some people think that asbestos can grow inside the body like a tree, but this does not happen.
Does exposure to asbestos always damage health?
It is possible to be exposed to high levels of asbestos for long periods of time and not to develop any of the asbestos-related diseases. However, it is generally thought that the more asbestos you have been exposed to, the more likely it is that you will develop an asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis. This may mean that you have been exposed to smaller doses of asbestos over a long period of time, perhaps ten years, or to larger doses over a shorter period of time. It is possible to develop mesothelioma, a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos, because of a brief exposure to asbestos.
There is usually a long latency period between exposure and actually developing an asbestos disease. It usually takes at least 10 years, but can take much longer. It can, for instance take up to 40 or more years to develop mesothelioma.
What are “asbestos bodies” in lung tissue?

The body’s defence mechanisms often coat the asbestos fibres with a layer of protein and they are then called “asbestos bodies”. Finding asbestos bodies in lung tissue suggests heavy occupational exposure to asbestos, but this does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from an asbestos disease.