Dangers of Asbestos

Asbestos is not like most other minerals. Instead of turning to dust when it is crushed, it breaks up into tiny fibers, invisible to the naked eye. These fibers hang suspended in the air for long periods of time and can easily be inhaled or ingested.

During processing and manufacturing, these fibers are typically bonded with other ingredients or encased in some manner, creating ACMs (asbestos-containing materials). When ACMs become old or damaged, they release asbestos fIbers into the air. When ACMs are friable (dry & easily crumbled), they are especially dangerous. Sprayed-on asbestos fireproofing material is generally considered friable. Even materials that are considered non-friable-such as vinyl-asbestos floor tile or asbestos cement pipe can release fibers into the air if they are cut, sawed, sanded, broken, or crushed. This occurs each and every time these products are handled or otherwise disturbed.

Whether from friable ACMs or from non-friable products, once the asbestos fibers are released into the air, they are breathed into the lungs or swallowed.

Once in the lungs, asbestos fibers can become embedded. From here the fibers cause scarring of the lungs or lung cancer. The fibers can also cause mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs. Because asbestos is virtually indestructible, it can remain in the lungs for an entire lifetime. Asbestos diseases have a long latency period. It may take 15 to 45 years after exposure for an asbestos disease to develop.