What Is Asbestos Anyway and Why Should You Care About It In Your Green Life?

You hear about it every once in a while, but what is asbestos anyway and why should you care about it in your green life?

Well, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was adapted for heating and insulation purposes in homes and buildings built up until the mineral was banned for use in the U.S. in the 1970s. Why was it banned? It is a direct cause of a host of health problems, primarily mesothelioma cancer, which can lay dormant in the body for up to 50 years after the inhalation of asbestos fibers and kill within months of diagnosis.

Dirty Industries Have a Long Trail of Consequences

In recent years there has been a great deal of national attention focused on the improvement of industrial environmental standards. Even as we attempt to rebuild our economy, we seem to be focused on not only restoring industry, but also using this as an opportunity to do it in a way that is not environmentally destructive. This provides us, the MAA Center, and many others the opportunity to improve all aspects of these industries, including the workplace hazards among workers and the health hazards affecting members of the surrounding communities that were all too common.
What many people may fail to realize is that not only does the health of our planet depend on improved environmental standards, but our health may as well. Health complications of industry can essentially be divided into two categories, both direct and indirect.
Direct health conditions which have arisen as a result of the burning of fossil fuels, for instant, are increased asthma rates in areas with high smog indices. Even mild cases of asthma can deteriorate overall respiratory capacity over time and leave breathing seriously diminished if the quality of the air people breathe is unimproved. Release of chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere has shown to lower our filtered sunlight, increasing ultraviolet light exposure. Ultraviolet light has been conclusively link to skin cancer. Perhaps it is no surprise then that skin cancer incidence in countries like South Africa and Australia, where the atmosphere is most diminished, is much higher than other areas of the earth.
Indirect health consequences include those which can be attributed to antiquated industrial infrastructure, including toxin exposure among workers. Oil refinery workers, for instance, are shown to have a much higher chance of developing mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, than those in cleaner industries. While asbestos was banned for most uses in the late 1970s several of these refineries and factories are still using pre-ban equipment which is exposing workers to harmful asbestos fibers.
We see then, that there is a clear advantage to implementation of cleaner, more sustainable energy policies and environmental attitudes, not only for the health or our planet and our posterity, but that of world’s population even today.

Note:
Asbestos exposure is an even more present danger in countries which lack environmental regulations on par with those of the United States. Several of these countries, including those of the Middle East like Israel have noted in recent years, a disturbing trend in the rise of asbestos-related disease. Countries with older or antiquated infrastructures are considered those with the biggest asbestos risk pool, as asbestos can still be found in nearly 80% of all structures built prior to 1980. The generational surge in infrastructure improvements, while good for economic growth and stability, may be endangering contractors and municipal workers who encounter the material. We must continue to urge national and international institutions to improve asbestos regulations and worker safety standards to prevent this problem from growing.


Thanks to the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center for this article

Eco-friendly Alternatives to Asbestos...Better For Your Health

The rapid progression of technology and green sustainable methods has given rise to environmental efficiency. These products not only save you money, but they are better for your health as well!
Several areas of the United States are quickly altering their construction regulations to suit the environment and the health of human beings. The implementation of eco-friendly construction, alternative energy solutions and energy reduction solutions has continued to play a vital role in the conversion to a healthier and sustainable world.
Green sustainable technologies are being pushed for utilization in the public and private sectors by many cities and states in the U.S. Everyone strives for clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. Unfortunately, many modern conveniences boost pollution and health problems.

Asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral, was used in the 20th century as insulation, piping, brake lining and flooring. Its resistance to fire and heat made asbestos quite popular. Asbestos insulation was used in millions of homes and, while it is safe when enclosed or in good condition, deteriorated asbestos can cause a number of health problems, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of asbestos cancer that accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Current research indicates it can take up to 50 years for this illness to develop. Because of this, the cancer is usually diagnosed in its late stages and treatment has varied effects on victims. Also, due to the fact many mesothelioma symptoms are similar to less serious ailments, diagnosing this type of cancer is often difficult.

Many homes, buildings and public facilities constructed before 1980 may still contain asbestos and other unsafe materials. In many cases, the best action is no action at all. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air.

An ECO-FRIENDLY WORLD

The U.S. Green Building Council conducted a study which estimated a new savings of $50-$65 per square foot for positively constructed green buildings. As education and technology of green sustainable practices increase, the numbers will continue to rise.

Recently, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions to the tax incentives placed for energy efficiency in 2005, as well as new credits for homeowners who remodel or build using eco-sustainable methods. Existing homes are eligible for a series of efficiency measures that pertain to the home shell (Insulation, Windows, Sealing) worth 30% of the installed cost (materials only, labor is not included in the credit basis).
Implementing green methods of building can have positive environmental, health and economic benefits. These include:

• Conservation of natural resources
• Enhance air quality and protect ecosystems
• Energy sustainability
• Increase property value
• Improve quality of life
• Improvement of pulmonary and cardiac health
• Reduce waste

Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of lcynene foam, cotton fiber and cellulose. Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be fireproof. A water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene features no toxic components.

Thank you to Asbestos.com for this informative article.