Asbestos Awareness Week

It’s that time of the year again and Asbestos Awareness Week is just as important as we love Shark Week! Asbestos Awareness Week started in the year 2007 by Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) to educate the public about harms of asbestos and ways to prevent asbestos. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization was founded in 2004 by two people whose loved ones were diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-caused disease and is hard to cure. Yearly 3,000 people are diagnosed with these disease and ADAO goal is to educate people to try to prevent it. This is where we come in to action!

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining that covers different organs. Depending on how the cancer forms, it can affect the lungs, check, abdominal organs and heart. Asbestos is highly dangerous because the fibers are released into the air.

History of Asbestos

As known, Asbestos is a strong but cheap non-flammable malleable substance that has been used in buildings. Asbestos became popular in the United States Industrial Revolution because it was affordable, strong, and resistant to fire and chemical damage. Since powered machinery and steam power became power, asbestos was the perfect insulator of high-temperature for steam pipes, ovens, and kilns. Many reports from doctors were about patients who worked in asbestos textile factors or mines that had lung sickness and pulmonary fibrosis. In July of 1989, there was a ban for most asbestos-containing products. Many regulations were established by the EPA to control the exposure and use of asbestos. It is always best to have a professional take care of any asbestos that may be in your home or business.

Need Asbestos Removed?

Here is a guideline for a qualified asbestos contractor:

Check to see if the contractor is licensed by the State
Require references from the contractor and check them to see if the contractor’s work is satisfactory
Require the contractor to specify it’s safety procedures in writing

For more information about Asbestos Safety.. Check out Asbestos.com