Common Name: Asbestos
CAS Number: 1332-21-4
DOT Number: UN 2212/UN 2590
Date: February, 1987
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Asbestos can affect you when breathed in.
* Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN//HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
* Repeated exposure can cause a disease called Asbestosis to
develop, usually 20 or more years after exposure begins.
Asbestosis is a scarring of the lungs that causes changes on
chest x-ray, and shortness of breath with exertion.
Progression of Asbestosis can lead to disability and death.
The earlier expo sure is stopped, the better the chance of
stopping serious disease later.
IDENTIFICATION
Asbestos is the common name for a group of mineral fibers that
range in color from white, green, brown, or blue. It is used as a
fireproofing and insulating agent and in brake linings.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Asbestos is on the Workplace Hazardous Substance List because
it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH, IARC, NTP
and CAG.
* This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance
List because it is a CARCINOGEN.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
employer. You have a legal right to this information under
OSHA 1910. 20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
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WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
These exposure limits are for fibers longer than 5 micrometers.
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.2 fibers/cc averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 fibers/cc
averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limits are for:
Amosite 0.5 fibers/cc
Chrysotile 2.0 fibers/cc
Crocidolite 0.2 fibers/cc
Other forms 2.0 fibers/cc averaged over an 8-hour
work-shift.
* Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level
of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced
to the lowest possible level.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of Asbestos chemical release. If local
exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators
should be worn.
* A regulated, marked area should be established where Asbestos
is handled, used, or stored.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly at the end of the work-shift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
of Asbestos to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information for workers,
employers, and community residents. Health professionals may also
find it useful. If this substance is part of a mixture, this Fact
Sheet should be used along with the manufacturer-supplied Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Asbestos:
* There are no known acute effects. People who develop serious
and fatal disease later in life may feel fine at the time of
exposure. Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Asbestos and can take months or years to
develop:
Cancer Hazard
* Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been shown to cause
lung cancers (including Mesothelioma) as well as stomach,
colon, rectal, vocal cord and kidney cancers.
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
a carcinogen.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Asbestos has been tested and has
not been shown to affect reproduction.
Other Long-Term Effects
* Repeated exposure to Asbestos can cause the disease
Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs. The higher the exposure,
and the longer the time of exposure, the more chance there is
of serious illness.
* Asbestosis develops some years (from seven to thirty) after
the period of exposure. It can progress to disability and
death.
* Symptoms of Asbestosis include shortness of breath on exertion
and changes on the chest x-ray.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the
following are recommended:
* Lung function tests (annually).
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies
of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information
under OSHA 1910.20.
Mixed Exposures
Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer,
emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen
respiratory conditions caused by Asbestos exposure. Even if you
have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of
developing health problems. The risk of lung cancer may be as much
as 92 times higher for people with Asbestos exposure who smoke than
for those without both exposures.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of release.
Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or
protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned
above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly
toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
exposures are possible.
In addition, the following controls are recommended:
* Specific engineering controls are required for this by OSHA.
Refer to the OSHA Standard for General Industry : 1910.1001
and the OSHA Standard for Construction: 1926.58, which applies
to the Asbestos Abatement Industry (Federal Register Vol. 51,
No. 119 June 20, 1986 Rules and Regulations.) Also refer to
the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Asbestos
#77-169.
* Substitute the less toxic mineral wool and fiberglass for
Asbestos where possible. There are substitutes for almost
every use of Asbestos.
* There are extensive recommended and required engineering and
procedural regulations for construction and repair projects
involving Asbestos material. Before disturbing any Asbestos
containing materials, under OSHA all workers must receive
special training by law.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Asbestos must
change into clean clothing.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Asbestos.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Asbestos is handled,
processed, or stored, since Asbestos can be swallowed. Wash
hands carefully before eating or smoking.
* Ongoing Asbestos abatement projects in sealed areas become
very hot and humid. There is a risk of heat stress. You should
be trained by your employer to recognize the warning signs and
the proper action to take to avoid seriously dangerous working
conditions.
* Do not dry sweep for clean-up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to
reduce dust during clean-up.
* When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA)
filtered vacuum should be used, not a standard shop vacuum.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
appropriate.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
to every situation.
Clothing
* Avoid skin contact with Asbestos. Wear protective gloves and
clothing. Protective gloves and clothing should be
impenetrable to Asbestos.
* Contaminated, disposable work clothes should be disposed of
with Asbestos waste.
* Non-disposable clothing should be placed in plastic bags for
laundering or decontamination by the employer.
Eye Protection
* Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory
protection.
Respiratory Protection
* IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment
should only be used if the employer has a written program that
takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for
worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as
described in OSHA 1910.134.
* At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved combination
respirator which includes a Type-C supplied-air respirator
with a full facepiece operated in the pressure-demand mode and
with either emergency HEPA backup filter or auxiliary self-
contained breathing apparatus operated in the pressure-demand
mode. [Caution: This type of respirator is not to be confused
with demand or continuous flow Type-C supplied air
respirators, which are not recommended.] Alternatively, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a
full facepiece operated in the pressure-demand mode.
* However, during asbestos abatement projects when it is
impossible to use supplied air or self-contained breathing
apparatus, use a full facepiece powered air purifying
respirator with high efficiency particulate filters.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Asbestos you must be, by law trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* A regulated, marked area should be established where Asbestos
is handled, used, or stored.
* Airborne Asbestos dust is very difficult to remove. It is
therefore essential that any area where Asbestos is handled be
enclosed and isolated. The material should be kept wet with
special surfactant and water.
* Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation with
negative pressure air filtration and high efficiency
particulate filters in areas of Asbestos removal. If enclosure
with containment "glove" bags is not used for minor repairs,
respirators must be worn and proper procedures must be
followed.
* All Asbestos materials must be removed and disposed of
according to regulations. The area must be monitored to ensure
airborne Asbestos levels are below limits prior to
reoccupation of the area where Asbestos was disturbed.
Common Name: Asbestos
DOT Number: UN 2212/UN 2590
DOT Emergency guide code: 31
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 0
REACTIVITY - 0
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CARCINOGEN
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of
surrounding fire. Asbestos itself does not burn.
* Care should be taken to contain Asbestos materials disturbed
in a fire.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Asbestos is spilled or damaged take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until clean-up is complete.
* Proper procedures for repair or removal of the material must
be followed by trained personnel.
* Spills and damaged Asbestos material MUST be cleaned using wet
methods. DO NOT DRY SWEEP or SHOVEL.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Asbestos as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your State Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific
recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
FIRST AID
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Asbestos may be a common name for any combination of the following:
Asbestos, Crocidolite
Cas # 12001-28-4
Asbestos, Anthrophyllite
Cas # 77536-67-5
Asbestos, Amosite
Cas # 12172-73-5
Asbestos, Chrysotile
Cas # 12001-29-5
Asbestos, Tremolite
CAS # 14567-73-8
Asbestos (no specification)
CAS # 1332-21-4.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Project
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
(609) 984-2202
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Asbestos is a broad term applied to numerous mineral silicate
fibers. There are two major groups of asbestos, the serpentine
(chrysotile) and amphibole groups. Chrysotile asbestos is the
major type used to make asbestos cement pipe, flooring products,
paper products (e.g., padding), friction materials (e.g., brake
linings and clutch facing), roofing products, and coating or
patching compounds.
ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance.
Data are insufficient to determine if asbestos poses any acute
toxicity hazard to aquatic life, plants, birds, or land animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic
chemical.
Asbestos (fibers) can cause cancer if inhaled; birds or land
animals which inhale asbestos fibers could therefore develop
cancers or other long-term effects. Asbestos fibers which are
ingested (swallowed) are generally not toxic but are passed through
the digestive system.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Asbestos minerals are slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of
less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Asbestos fibers are highly persistent in water, with a half-life
greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount
of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
The concentration of asbestos found in fish tissues is expected to
be less than the average concentration of asbestos in the water
from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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