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Mesothelioma Prevention: Dealing With Asbestos At Home
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, usually associated with previous
exposure to asbestos. 70% to 80% of people diagnosed with the
disease had a history of exposure to asbestos containing
material. Mesothelioma is extremely painful and usually fatal
unless detected early.
Asbestos was widely used in many building and industrial
materials, including siding panels, roof shingles, mortar,
flooring and insulation. Asbestos containing material still
exist in many homes. Here are some EPA recommendations for
dealing with asbestos around the home:
Leave asbestos alone. Generally, material in good condition
will not release asbestos fibers. The danger occurs when fibers
are released and inhaled into the lungs. For a list of materials
that possibly contain asbestos, visit
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/
Inspect asbestos-containing material regularly for visible
signs of wear without touching it.
Generally limit activities in any areas having damaged asbestos
material. In particular, keep children away from such areas.
Avoid sweeping, or vacuuming debris that may contain asbestos.
Also avoid sanding, scraping, or drilling holes in materials
that possibly contain asbestos.
Have removal and major repair done by people trained and
qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that
sampling, cleaning and minor repair also be done by asbestos
professionals.
If you need to discard asbestos material, check with local
health, environmental, or other appropriate officials for
proper handling and disposal procedures.
For more information on dealing with asbestos, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/
About The Author: Mona Luxton is a writer specializing in
health and medicine. She may be contacted at
http://www.mesotheliomawise.org/
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