Analysis of Asbestos Exposure

Hurricanes are frequent in certain parts of the United States like Florida. The most prevalent toxin that can wreak havoc after a hurricane is asbestos. "Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was used extensively up until its dangers became truly evident in the last quarter century. It was used in nearly all aspects of home and building construction because of its fire-retardant and insulation qualities" ("Asbestos Removal after a Hurricane -- Safe handling of asbestos," 2016). While Asbestos does not present an immediate danger when left undisturbed, after a hurricane, potential flooding could release the particles into the air through structural damage of buildings, floors, and pipes lined with asbestos. When released into the air, the particles become 'friable' and can affect humans in a deadly way through diseases of the lung like mesothelioma.

The exposure limit is 0.1 fiber/cm3TWA 1.0 fiber/cm3 Excursion Limit (30 minutes). The target organs are stomach and lungs and can cause colon cancer and mesothelioma. The lowest feasible concentration for exposure is 0.1 fiber/cm3 for fibers >5µm Ca. There are various names for asbestos, six in total. Some are Amosite asbestos, Crocidolite asbestos, and Actinolite asbestos. What accounts for 95% of commercially used asbestos is Chrysotile. Chrysotile is the fibrous form of serpentine, a mineral with a chemical composition of Mg 3Si 2O 5(OH) 4. This makes it a hydrous magnesium silicate.

Exposure to asbestos can happen through skin and/or eye contact, ingestion, or most commonly, inhalation. Symptoms of chronic exposure to asbestos is dyspnea, restricted pulmonary function, irritation of the eyes, and finger clubbing. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. Those that wish to reduce exposure levels can do so through wearing specific PPE.

The personal protective equipment consists of a full face piece supplied-air respirator that is operated within a positive pressure mode or other pressure-demand mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive pressure breathing apparatus (CDC, 2016). Essentially any full-face piece, air purifying respirator with an R100, N100, or P100 filter. Aside from avoiding breathing in asbestos fibers, prevention of eye or skin contact is priority. The Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations for asbestos is not listed.

Scenarios where asbestos exposure can happen are after a hurricane where flooding occurred and buildings have been destroyed. First responders attempting to rescue people may become exposed to asbestos fibers in the air due to the structure of the buildings housing asbestos crumbling, releasing the fibers making it easy for anyone near to breath it in. Typical places where asbestos is still present are in old constructions where asbestos was used extensively, especially in commercial areas. There is even asbestos in floor tiles.