Asbestos

In the not-too-distant past, asbestos seemed like a miraculous and harmless substance. It was relatively inexpensive and could be used in everything from tires to insulation. It is no surprise that asbestos found its way into schools, too. As the people who handled asbestos got older, it became clear how dangerous it could be to handle and be around asbestos. Now, asbestos has limited uses but remains in older buildings, including schools. Here’s what you should know about the asbestos that could be in your child’s school. There are Rules Removing asbestos can be an intense project, especially for large […]

For centuries, numerous industries have relied on the naturally heat-resistant and fire-resistant properties of asbestos. As the carcinogenic properties associated with ingestion or inhalation of the asbestos fibers became well-known, consumers and manufacturers alike moved to abandon use of the material. Many organizations chose to create dumping sites for asbestos disposal. Unfortunately, as dumping sites were merely plowed over with fresh soil, the possibility of exposure continued. Officials had hoped the positive-negative chemical interaction between the asbestos fibers and the surrounding soil would trap the materials, preventing any additional exposure. Unfortunately, dissolved organic matter (DOM) can potentially upset that balance […]

The battle to protect US citizens from asbestos has been lengthy, with 40,000 Americans losing their lives annually due to exposure. Numerous settlements have been reached but with little impact in providing the real protection necessary. Concurrently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been anything but comprehensive in its work to identify the actual dangers of all forms of asbestos. For years, they attempted to impose regulations governed by the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) with little success. Meanwhile, people died from exposure to seemingly harmless insulation, plaster, and floor tiles in homes, schools, and places of employment. Still, […]