Remove asbestos that can become airborne
AsbestosMineral fiber once commonly used in many building materials, including insulation, fireproof siding, and resilient flooring. Inhalation of invisible asbestos fibers can lead to chest and abdominal cancers as well as scarring of the lungs. The use of asbestos in some products has been banned by the EPA and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission; manufacturers also have adopted voluntary limitations on its use. When found in older buildings (most commonly in floor tiles, pipe and furnace insulation, or asbestos shingles), the product's friability is a major determinant in how it must be handled during renovations. More information: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asbestos.html fibers may pose a serious health risk.
Asbestos is a mineral that at one time was widely used in building materials such as roof and wall shingles, textured acoustical ceilings, pipe insulation, linoleum and vinylCommon term for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In chemistry, vinyl refers to a carbon-and-hydrogen group (H2C=CH–) that attaches to another functional group, such as chlorine (vinyl chloride) or acetate (vinyl acetate). flooring tiles, fire-protection panels, and joint compound. When disturbed, asbestos may break into a dust of microscopic fibers that can cause serious illness or death. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences classifies it as a known carcinogen.
Sometimes the best approach is to encapsulate the material that contains asbestos and leave it in place. Some materials, such as resilient flooring, can be removed safely by following an approved procedure. A licensed professional should remove most materials containing asbestos.
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