Asbestos – A threat surrounding us

What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with a structure of microscopic fibres, consisting mainly of magnesium and silicon. These fibres have been mined and used from the beginning of the last century, having over 3000 applications, such as in various construction materials, water pipe systems and chimney lining. Its natural properties (large resistance to heat and chemical degradation), in combination with its low cost, made asbestos the one of the most widely used industrial products of the 20th century. Nowadays, after decades of research, asbestos is considered to be one of the most dangerous materials being used by humans, and although its use has recently declined in the countries of the E.U. and the USA, it continues to be used in a large scale in the financially developing countries. This is despite the fact that according to E.U. legislation, the trade and use of all types of asbestos will stop totally by 2005 in all member states. Asbestos will continue to impact upon many lives for decades to come, as a material that is installed in buildings, industrial sites, houses and schools.

What are the health effects of Asbestos?
Over the last 50 years, research has conclusively proved that asbestos dust can cause numerous, often fatal, lung diseases. Asbestos fibres can float on water and can easily be transferred almost anywhere through the air, causing potentially serious lung damage to whoever inhales them. The diseases that affect humans (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma) may occur 10-40 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

Who is at risk?
The highest risk is on those repeatedly exposed to asbestos: miners, builders, shipbuilders and mechanics who due to their work come in contact with asbestos, as well as workers who during their work come in contact with asbestos without knowing it (plumbers, carpenters, etc). Usually the presence of asbestos within the building materials of a house does not constitute a direct danger to its inhabitants, or to those who live in the surrounding area. Inevitably though, the weathering of the materials, as well as any physical disturbances (such as removal by unskilled workers) releases a large amount of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere.

How can asbestos be removed correctly?
The presence of asbestos construction materials can be a huge problem, as its removal is difficult and very expensive. Specially trained and equipped workmen who know how to deal with the material in the correct manner, so that neither they nor people nearby are exposed to asbestos and its harmful fibres are not released in to the environment, must remove asbestos.
§ Workers handling asbestos-containing materials, must be sufficiently protected with special suits and have breathing apparatus. Special care should be taken in order not to transfer fibres in other areas.
§ Asbestos should be removed carefully, without it being broken. It must also be kept damp to prevent its fibres from being blown away
§ For safe disposal, asbestos-containing materials should be covered with special fabric, which allows sealing. Disposal should take place in special sites appropriate for hazardous waste.
§ When asbestos is being removed from internal areas, asbestos must be contained by proofing the room it is in with plastic lining. When asbestos is removed from the exterior of buildings, the construction of a protective structure is necessary.

According to the E.U. Directive 1999/77/EC, the trade and use of all types of asbestos will be stopped by 1/1/2005 in all the member states. In Greece where the general awareness about asbestos-related problems is very limited, this directive was enforced through Greek legislation, only in December 2003. It is very important that this directive is applied strictly. But complementary legal measures should also be taken, to stop further mining and production of asbestos containing materials, which will continue to be exported to developing countries after 2005.

In Western Europe it is estimated that within 30 years, 500,000 people will die from diseases related to asbestos.

Asbestos which is already installed in buildings and other constructions should gradually be removed, in order to diminish any danger of disease caused by it. For this reason, all member states of the European Union have official protocols for the safe removal and disposal of asbestos.
When we contacted the Greek national authorities responsible for this matter, attempting to find out about the protocols in place for Greece, we discovered that there has been no such planning, not even for the removal of asbestos from schools, which is currently carried out in various parts of Greece.

Diseases caused by exposure to Asbestos

· Asbestosis is the scarring of lung tissue due to asbestos inhalation. This disease gradually destroys the lungs and can lead to death. Its development depends on various factors, such as the size, type and number of the inhaled asbestos particles, as well as the overall health of the respiratory system.

· Lung cancer: Asbestos is the most important cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Those who come into contact with asbestos dust have a 5 times higher chance of developing lung cancer. If they are smokers the chances of developing lung cancer increase by 90 times.

· Mesothelioma:  is a rare type of cancer that appears on the lining of the lungs. The treatment of this type of cancer is in most cases inefficient. Approximately 75% of those suffering from mesothelioma die within one year of being diagnosed.

· Other cancers such as those of the larynx, gastrointestinal tract and the liver can also be caused by exposure to asbestos.

  The inhalation of asbestos fibres by animals causes diseases similar to those caused to humans.

For fearther Reading

Threat of asbestos diseases - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3441175.stm
Removing asbestos: procedures - http://ie.osha.eu.int/good_practice/index2.stm