Asbestos is an unsafe material for health. Because of its convenience, low cost, and suitable for many terrain conditions, asbestos roofing sheets are still widely used.
How to live safely with asbestos-containing materials? Dangers of asbestos One of the most widespread uses of asbestos in the construction industry is the creation of fiber-cement sheets for roofing, which we often call Phibroximang, or asbestos-cement corrugated iron. Because of its heat-resistant and fire-resistant properties, asbestos has been added to many roofing products, including tiles. Fiber cement board contains not only asbestos. They are mostly made from cement. According to manufacturers, fiber cement panels are usually made of 10-15% asbestos. The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through the airways. In fact, asbestos-containing material is not generally considered harmful unless it releases dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Much of the fiber gets stuck in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, where it can be eliminated, but some can travel deep into the lungs, or if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they get trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health problems. Asbestos is most dangerous when it is flaking. The term “friable” means that asbestos is easily broken up by hand, releasing fibers into the air. Asbestos is often “faded” after the roofing sheet is used for a number of years, rain, wind and moss make the protective cement layer rot. Damage and deterioration will increase the friability of asbestos-containing materials. Water damage, constant shaking, aging and physical impact such as drilling, grinding, polishing, cutting, sawing or impact can break materials making it easier to release fibers. Ceiling tiles, floor tiles containing asbestos, heat and sound insulation layers, shingles, fire doors, especially roofing sheets… will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged as mentioned above. . For example, if asbestos ceiling tiles are drilled or broken, it can release fibers into the air. If it is left alone and undisturbed, it will not release the asbestos fibers, but this is very unlikely in practice, for example, when roofing sheets are used for a long time. Currently, there is no decision requiring removal of asbestos roofs, so the decision is up to the community. Obviously, it will be necessary to take into account the cost of removal and replacement. Therefore, for new roofs, it is not necessary to remove, but can live with it, provided that there are safe solutions. But with a weathered roof, there is a great risk of deterioration, which can expose families and neighbors of homes with asbestos to harmful asbestos fibers. Theoretically, in roofing, asbestos materials mixed with cement should be kept tight, they do not pose the same threat as fragile materials to human health. However, if these roofing sheets are broken, corroded, disturbed, damaged, degraded or broken, they can release toxic fibers into the air and become hazardous. Corrosion of asbestos-containing products by weather (rain, sun, wind, storm or frost, which causes a change in the cement layer surrounding the asbestos fiber over time) can cause fiber release in within 15 years. Safe living with asbestos When living with irreplaceable asbestos-containing material, it should be checked regularly for signs of wear or damage such as tears, scratches or water damage. If asbestos-containing materials are damaged more than mildly, or if home repairs are being made that could disturb it, extreme care should be taken and handling it in accordance with safety regulations. When asbestos-containing material is damaged, activities around it should be kept to a minimum. Take all precautions to avoid damage to the asbestos material. With any type of repair, the asbestos must be kept in place. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, but it can make later removal of asbestos, inevitably, more difficult and costly. Major repairs should only be carried out by specialized units that know the safe handling methods of asbestos. Before performing minor repairs, be sure to follow all of the precautions outlined above. Always wet the asbestos material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent. Areas with insulation can be covered by wrapping a special fabric, such as flexable glass cloth, around it. These products are available in stores. This is the best, safest, economic thing possible. We should replace asbestos-containing materials with other materials, such as: corrugated iron roof, PVA fiber roof, steel pipes… Currently, on the market, there are many alternative materials that are both durable and good. no effect on health and reasonable price. What not to do with asbestos-containing materials in the home: Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. Do not saw, sand, scrape or drill holes in the face of the asbestos material. Do not use sandpaper, wire brush or other hard objects to remove rough spots on the surface of asbestos-containing materials. Never use the wiper on dry floors. Do not sand or attempt to smooth the floor with asbestos or its substrate. When asbestos floors need to be replaced, install new floor coverings on top if possible. Avoid contact with broken or broken asbestos materials. Take all precautions to not damage any materials that may contain asbestos. Only hire trained personnel to inspect, test, repair or remove asbestos. Asbestos is a toxic and dangerous mineral. Asbestos in all natural forms, including chrysotile asbestos, is a substance with proven carcinogenic activity in animals and humans, capable of causing cancer of the lungs, peritoneum, pleura, stomach and organs other in contact with asbestos particles. Temporarily without replacement, it is possible to live with asbestos-containing material, if it is not old (before 15 years), but with extreme caution. To reduce the risk of cancers, asbestos-containing materials should be removed, if temporarily unavailable, protect it with a coating or polyethylene film to prevent damage and dust release.
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