Asbestos: DIY Reno Kills Man Decades Later

(Webwire) Geoffrey Newton, a top orthopaedic surgeon, died from mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, after being a keen DIYer for many years. Speaking to the Daily Mail his wife Pat, 82, said that Mr Newton worked on projects including building a boat and converting an old school house into a home – and that at 81 he was working on fitting a new kitchen and bathroom in their property.

It is believed that Mr Newton was exposed to asbestos while removing an old boiler from the couple’s property in Burton-on-Trent and while the incident took place 37 years ago, it was still enough to trigger the fatal respiratory condition.

His wife explained: “It was 37 years ago, but I still remember all the white dust that came out with it. At the time, it was known that brown and blue asbestos were dangerous, but not white, so we assumed the dust was harmless.”

According to figures in the Daily Mail the number of people who die each year from mesothelioma has almost quadrupled in the past three decades.

Speaking to the newspaper, medical adviser to the British Lung Foundation Dr John Moore-Gillon said that many people mistakenly believe asbestos is no longer a danger as it was banned from use so long ago – but asbestos can still exist in older buildings, and be disturbed during renovations.

“What is worrying is that we barely have the resources to treat the condition, so if numbers continue to rise then there could be a huge strain in terms of treating everyone,” he warned.

While asbestos is a natural fibre it can be extremely harmful to people if inhaled and mesothelioma is almost always fatal. Those exposed to asbestos, which can be present in ceiling tiles, old boilers and insulation, are also vulnerable to certain cancers.

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Sandy aftermath could expose residents to asbestos, mold, chemicals

Cleaning up after Hurricaine Sandy may soon get more difficult than sifting through ruined possessions, it may also be a health threat.

With so many businesses, factories, homes and other buildings damaged or destroyed, airborne pollutants, chemicals, mold and even asbestos are a real possibility. Homeowners who can't, or choose not to wait for professionals to start the clean-up may run the risk of exposing themselves to a wide range of potentially dangerous pollutants. 
 
The CDC recommends the following when returning to an affected  home or building:

Reentering Buildings

• Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. You may want to wait to return to buildings during daylight hours, when it is easier to avoid hazards, particularly if the electricity is off and you have no lights.
• Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure may fall or if you smell gas or suspect a leak. If you smell gas, notify emergency authorities and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

Carbon Monoxide Exposure

• Never use generators, pressure washers, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper—or even outside near an open window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide—an odorless, colorless gas from these sources that can cause sudden illness and death—can build up indoors and poison the people and animals inside.

General Safety Measures

• Have at least two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating of at least 10A, at every cleanup job.
• Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank) for cleanup work.
• Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.
• Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).
• When using a chain saw, operate the saw according to the manufacturer's instructions, wear appropriate protective equipment, avoid contact with power lines, be sure that bystanders are at a safe distance, and take extra care in cutting trees or branches that have gotten bent or caught under another object. Use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock when using an electric chain saw. For tips on safely operating a chain saw, see Preventing Chain Saw Injury During Tree Removal.
• If there has been a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of the affected area.

  Hazardous Materials Issues

• Call the fire department to inspect or remove chemicals, propane tanks, and other dangerous materials.
• Wear protective clothing and gear (for example, a respirator if needed) when handling hazardous materials.
• Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous materials.
• Wear insulated gloves and use caution if you have to remove a car battery. Avoid any acid that may have leaked from a car battery.

Remember that inhalation is a major exposure route for many hazardous substances. Considering wearing N95 face masks for particles along with protective gear covering the body, feet and hands.

Indoor air quality may also be affected for some time as rebuilding and repairs continue over the coming months. Considering using an industrial-grade air cleaner or air purifier with HEPA and deep-bed activated carbon filters for chemicals, gases, odors and particles after returning home or going back to work. ______________________________________________________________



Concerned about indoor air quality? Contact an Air Quality Expert for advice via live chat, email or phone: 1-888-852-8247.

Photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Disclaimer: Follow guidelines provided by FEMA, health and government advisories. Always consult a professional before entering a damaged building or attempting clean-up work. This blog post is provided for general information purposes only and should never replace the advice of government officials or remediation professionals.

Could installing a satellite dish expose you to asbestos?

When a technician comes to install a new satellite dish the last thing most of us think to ask is whether he's trained to recognize asbestos.

In Australia, thousands of home owners are now awaiting the results of a study launched by the government after it was revealed inadequately trained contractors had dislodged asbestos in more than 20 government-owned houses. They also reviewed 1,733 private homes where the satellite dishes had been installed.

Asbestos was frequently used in home construction in some areas until the 1990's. It has been been deemed a carcinogenic substance by most major health agencies. If the fibrous material is disturbed, tiny particles can become airborne and can be inhaled.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses.







Source: :The Australian
Photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Asthma and allergy alert: Dusty and moldy holiday decorations

Many people look forward to the holiday season – not only because of the gifts, but also because of the food, the festive decorations and the stunning lights.




But storing the decorations and lights for almost a year can lead to a buildup of dust and mold, experts warn, so this time of year can be challenging for asthma and allergy sufferers.

In fact, storing decorations in the attic may even cause them to be contaminated by asbestos dust, a mesothelioma awareness group says.

Many homes were built with asbestos-containing materials in the 20th century and an estimated 33 million U.S. buildings contain vermiculite insulation tainted with asbestos, the United States Environmental Protection Agency warns.

Asbestos was also a main ingredient in many holiday decorations themselves, including snowflakes. These are not being sold on the market anymore, but heirloom decorations may still be contaminated.

Storing decorations in the basement or garage often leads to dust and mold problems in the home as mold counts go up. Even bringing in a real Christmas tree can trigger allergies or asthma flare-ups.

Experts suggest wearing a mask when handling dusty or moldy decorations, using an artificial tree and storing holiday decorations in a way to minimize dust and mold infiltration.

Air purifiers for mold, dust and other contaminants

When the temperature gets below freezing outside and you turn up the heat and keep the windows tightly closed or even sealed, indoor air quality often deteriorates over time.

Running a portable, powerful air purifier on low 24/7 can help keep the air clean and healthy.

AllerAir’s specialized air purifiers for dust and particles (allergies and asthma), mold and chemical or odor concerns feature many pounds of activated carbon plus HEPA and other filters such as UV germicidal filtration to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants.

Keep your family safe this holiday season with an AllerAir air purifier. 

Contact us for more information or recommendations.
  

Fan of DIY? Study links home renos and mesothelioma in women

DIY projects may be risky for women
(and men) if asbestos is involved.

Whether it’s moving into a new place or giving your home a much-needed update, a growing number of homeowners are taking on their own home renovations – but at what cost?

In an Australian study, researchers have found that the trend may be accompanied by a growing number of deadly asbestos-related cancers in women.

Traditionally, and still today, more men than women are being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity), an article in the Sydney Morning Herald says, but the rise in cases has been sharper for women, who may be exposed to asbestos fibers when the asbestos-containing materials in their home are being disturbed during renovations.

The facts speak for themselves: The number of home renovation cases soared from five per cent of all MM cases in women during the 1990s to more than 35 per cent between 2005 and 2008.

For the study, researchers from the University of Western Australia reviewed all cases of MM diagnosed in the state between 1960 and 2008.

Asbestos still widespread in homes

Lead researcher Nola Olsen said the number of home renovation cases was likely to continue rising given the amount of older properties still containing asbestos products coupled with the growing popularity of DIY renovations.

In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.

"Asbestos-containing products such as asbestos cement sheets are still found in many homes, particularly older homes and fences," Olsen was quoted in the article.

"Our study shows that exposures in the home, at a time when people were less aware of the health issues and these asbestos products were still legally available, have unfortunately had dire consequences for some."

While the chances of developing mesothelioma are relatively low, the problem is still there - and not only in Australia. Many homes in the rest of the world still feature asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos fibers can be hazardous when they become airborne and are inhaled, and exposure has also been linked to lung cancer and asbestosis.

Before taking on DIY projects, consider these points:

• Find out if the house was built with asbestos-containing materials
• If so, consider hiring a professional remediation company. If the materials are in good condition, experts suggest leaving them alone so as not to disturb any fibers
• Make sure to wear protective gear
• Do not dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos. These steps will disturb tiny asbestos fibers and may release them into the air. Remove dust by wet mopping or with a special HEPA vacuum cleaner used by trained asbestos contractors
• Use an indoor air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon (see AllerAir’s 6000 Series)
• Indoor air monitoring may be necessary to reduce risks
• Always seek information and weigh risks before beginning a project

Contact AllerAir for more information and IAQ solutions.

Allerair Industries is a manufacturer of high-quality air purifiers for homes and offices. The company focuses on developing air filtration systems that deal with all kinds of air pollutants, ranging from dust particles to airborne chemicals and pathogens.

The AllerAir product line includes solutions for allergies and asthma, mold, MCS, tobacco smoke and odor control, among many others.