1.
Question:
|
What
is asbestos? |
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| Answer: |
Asbestos
is the commercial name given to a group of naturally
occurring minerals that possess high tensile
strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical
and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance.
Asbestos has had many uses, but is most commonly
used in a variety of building materials and
industrial products. |
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| 2.
Question: |
Why
should I be concerned about asbestos? |
| |
|
| Answer: |
Various
diseases, such as a lung disease called asbestiosis
and a cancer of the pleural lining called mesothelioma
as well as lung cancer, have been associated
with overexposure to asbestos fibers, especially
in the industrial setting. However, asbestos
is only dangerous if it becomes airborne. The
presence of asbestos in a building does not
mean that the health of the building occupants
is at risk. |
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| 3.
Question: |
Where
might I encounter asbestos-containing materials
here on the IUPUI campus? |
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| Answer: |
The
primary materials where asbestos is found on
campus are: insulation, floor tiles, floor sheeting,
mastic, roofing, counter tops, and fume hoods.
Other materials which may contain asbestos include:
wallboard, taping compound, plaster, sinks,
ceiling tile, spray-on fire proofing, chase
panels, electrical insulation, putty/caulk.
IUPUI campus buildings constructed prior to
1981 typically have asbestos-containing materials
within their structures. There is no thorough
inventory of all suspected asbestos containing
materials, but an inspection survey has been
conducted of IUPUI buildings. The inspection
identified building materials that contain asbestos
in those buildings surveyed. Results of the
inspection survey may be obtained by contacting
Environmental Health and Safety. |
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| 4.
Question: |
Will
having asbestos-containing materials in my work
area hurt me? |
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| Answer: |
No.
Asbestos is only dangerous if it becomes airborne.
As long as asbestos containing materials are
not damaged, the asbestos fibers do not become
airborne and do not pose a health threat to
the building occupants. |
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5. Question: |
What
should I do if I have to work with or on a material
that I suspect may contain asbestos? |
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| Answer: |
Notify
your supervisor. He/she will contact Environmental
Health and Safety and request that a sample
of the material be analyzed for asbestos. |
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| 6.
Question: |
What
should I do if my intended work procedure is
going to disturb asbestos-containing material?
|
| |
| Answer: |
Notify
your supervisor. He/she will contact Environmental
Health and Safety and the Asbestos Department.
They will remove the asbestos-containing materials
in a safe manner using properly trained and
protected personnel. |
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| 7.
Question: |
What
types of work practices might cause me to be
overexposed to asbestos? |
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| Answer: |
Sweeping
asbestos-containing debris, improperly removing
asbestos-containing materials, sawing, drilling,
sanding, or otherwise disturbing asbestos-containing
materials. Building material should not be disturbed
without the knowledge that it does not contain
asbestos. |
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| 8.
Question: |
Whom
can I call regarding questions about asbestos? |
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|
Answer: |
The
EHS Asbestos Department at 274-5239. |
