Where is Asbestos? Diagrams of Where Asbestos Can Be Found

Mg3 Si, 05 OH4 WHERE IS ASBESTOS? CROSS-SECTIONS AND DIAGRAMS OF WHERE ASBESTOS IS FOUND Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer that impacts the protective lining of many internal organs in the human body. One of its primary causes is exposure to asbestos. Growing up, you were probably told many times by your parents or the news to stay away from asbestos. But if you never see it or research it, how will you know how to avoid it? Here are some common places where asbestos can be found: in the home, in old warships, some of which are now museums, and in products from a bygone era that are still in our everyday lives. SURPRISING USES OF ASBESTOS IN THE HOME If you have a home that was built before the late '90s in the United States, it may have asbestos somewhere in it. Here are some places to investigate. Fake snow: In the 1930s through the 1950s, fake snow made of chrysotile asbestos, or white asbestos, became a popular Christmas decoration. This snow was sprinkled over Christmas trees or used INSIDE Insulation: Insulation between the walls, which may be open to the air in an attic or other unfinished room, often contains asbestos if it is old enough (circa 1930-1950). to create miniature winter scenes in storefronts and home windows. The famous scene from "The Wizard of Oz" where Glinda helps the main protagonists escape from a magical poppy field involved the actors being sprinkled with asbestos "snow." Wires: Some wires may be insulated with asbestos. OUTSIDE GARAGE Furnace pipes and boiler insulation: Furnaces and boiler pipes may be wrapped in an asbestos cement that should not be disturbed. Gutters and drainpipes: Asbestos was commonly used in cement paste, and in older houses, it may have been used as a coating or glue for some gutters. Some brake pads and linings, clutch facings, gaskets, and other materials in older vehicles may contain asbestos. Vinyl floor tiles Drywall Toothpaste: Asbestos fibers were used as an abrasive Anything that might have required fireproofing material (to remove plaque, presumably) in some toothpastes marketed after World War I. Shingles and roofing: Shingles themselves as well as paste or felt may be made of asbestos. Surgical thread: Sturdy asbestos threads were used after World War Il by surgeons who needed to stitch up wounds after Pipe coatings and coverings Insulation: Insulation boards located around the roof as well as paste used to seal windows may contain asbestos. surgery. IN A BATTLESHIP Asbestos, when used in cement or other materials, is sturdy, cheap, and resistant to high temperatures and chemical damage. You might therefore be able to guess why the U.S. Navy would have once been interested in using it for battleship material. Any ship built before 1980 may have asbestos in it. Some of these ships are "living museums" today, and taking care of the asbestos-filled parts of these relics is an important aspect of their upkeep. Here are the areas most likely to have a high concentration. ENGINE AND BOILER ROOMS Charlemagne's magic tablecloth: Medieval emperor Charlemagne was rumored to have a "magical" tablecloth woven out of asbestos threads. Supposedly, he would fling this tablecloth into a fire to clean it. Because asbestos is flame-resistant, the fire would burn away the grease and crumbs but leave the cloth unharmed. MESS HALLS GUN TURRETS PUMP ROOMS Industrial Wires, cables, and electronics beverage filters: An old method of beer filtration, developed in the 1900s by Lorenz Adalbert Enzinger, used cakes of pulp prepared with cotton and asbestos. The cakes were housed in brass bowls, and beer was filtered through them. After three to five uses, the cakes were removed and recycled into fresh cakes to be used again. Areas that needed special protection from enemy fire or fireproofing in case of internal fire Paneling, sealing, and adhesives Essential valves and boilers Sources: www.proactivehazmat.ca www.cpsc.gov www.mesotheliomafromnavy.com www.image.asbestos.com www.asbestos.com www.environment.co.za www.fibresafe.com www.probrewer.com www.en.wikipedia.org Mesothelioma TreatmentCenters.org CREW SLEEPING QUARTERS