Letter of Recommendation: Asbestos Problem - Essay Example

These minerals are grouped into two, which are the amphibole asbestos and the serpentine asbestos. These minerals are mostly used and found in some commercial and building products because these can resist heat, and have maximum tension qualities when added to other materials. Due to their low price and easy application, these have been popular in many products (Dodson & Hammar, 2011). Asbestos in the Environment and Exposure to It The tiny asbestos fibers become a part of the environment by being afloat in the air, which are then transported by water or by the wind.

These fibers do not vaporize in air or disintegrate in water. On the other hand, the larger asbestos fibers tend to settle fast. These fibers are not transferred through the ground, and these do not break or mix with other compounds. Asbestos fibers tend to remain in its original composition in long period (ATSDR, 2001). One might be exposed to asbestos through breathing the thin fibers present in the air (ATSDR, 2001). At work and at home, asbestos can be present in some roofs, insulations, vinyl tiles, and around wood burning stoves (US Consumer Product Safety Commission, n.d.).

These can also be in lagging, finishing on the walls, on the ceilings, water tanks, and pipes (Health and Safety Executive, n.d.b). There are also naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) present in the environment, which are present in some minerals and rocks. These can be released and can be present in mining, in construction process, in faults and foothills, and in natural weathering (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.). What are the health hazards and effects of exposure to asbestos? There have been many studies on the effects of exposure to asbestos.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA] (n.d.), breathing of asbestos fibers that will go to the lungs may cause asbestosis. This will result to lung malfunction and may also lead to cancer or malignant tumor build-up in the lungs and in the stomach. With this, asbestos can be deemed dangerous only when it enters the body. Materials or products that contain asbestos are generally not health-risk. However, if these materials produce dust-like particles, which can be breath, then these become dangerous when these go to the lungs and the digestive tract (Oregon State University [OSU], n.d.).

Asbestos fibers are not produced unless the material or the product is friable or easily crumpled. Also, undisturbed or not damaged materials, which contain asbestos, will not produce asbestos fibers. The damage done on materials containing asbestos may refer to, but are not limited to cutting, drilling, continuous vibration, breaking, or aging (OSU, n.d.). How could the degree of potential hazard be evaluated? One may evaluate potential asbestos hazard with the help of experts by knowing the asbestos content of the material, is the material friable, and its location.

The current condition of the material must also be examined. In determining the location of the material, you should also acknowledge if the material is being cut, drilled, or disturbed in any manner. In workplaces, evaluating and minimizing the exposure to asbestos may be done by frequent air monitoring, training the