Asbestos Insulation is fibrous mineral

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral with very remarkable qualities: it can effectively resist heat, steam, and fire. These qualities make asbestos an ideal material for insulation, which were used to line roofs, ceilings, attics, and walls of both houses and buildings. The type of insulation was widely used in residential, public, and commercial buildings before the 1980's.

Despite its excellent qualities that made it an ideal ingredient for construction materials, asbestos is highly hazardous to both the health of humans and animals. Asbestos consists of several silicate minerals that can be separated into fibers and particles easily. When inhaled and ingested, these particles and fibers can cause a variety of pulmonary diseases, including asbestos poisoning (a scarring of the lung tissues caused by sharp asbestos fibers and will cause chest pains, shortness of breath, and dry coughing), mesothelioma (a cancer unique to asbestos exposure-and an extremely fatal one), and several kinds of cancer that will affect the lungs, stomach, larynx, esophagus, and even the kidneys.

Asbestos insulation is a problem that plagues a lot of homeowners and property owners. Action should be immediately taken, because the risks of the diseases mentioned above will increase when exposure is prolonged. How will you know if your insulation uses asbestos? Here are a few things to watch out for:

• It is important for you to know the exact date when the house or building you are living in is constructed. If it was built before the 1960's, there is a high chance that the insulation material lining the walls, attic, and roofs.
• Check if the insulation used in your house or building is of the loose or batted type. These kinds of insulation material will look life fluffy, grayish clumps of fibers and they are often found between the rafters.If your home has a lot of old pipes, check if they are covered with a blanket-like material in the elbow joints and valves-these are insulation materials that contain asbestos. There are also asbestos insulation materials that look like cardboard coverings-and this was especially popular in steam heating pipes manufactured in the 1910's to the 1980's.

If you suspect that the insulation materials in your home or building contain asbestos, you should treat them as though they really contain asbestos. This means avoiding contact or exposure to them, and immediately calling a professional asbestos remover to inspect them. Asbestos can only be positively identified by using polarizing light microscopy, which can be found in laboratories certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

You should not try to remove asbestos insulation by yourself, even if you wear something over your nose to provide protection from inhaling the fibers. Licensed professionals use special masks and gloves to handle the asbestos materials, and they possess the technical knowledge to safely extract these materials from your home. They also use special equipment to isolate and seal off the infected area, and initiate decontamination once the job is done.

The dangers of asbestos

The dangers of asbestos have been known for a very long time and even the companies that made billions off of asbestos products have long since given up defending the virtues of asbestos. Unfortunately, there were way too many years between identifying the dangers of asbestos and getting asbestos pulled off the market but finally new asbestos products have been almost universally banned.

The biggest problem with asbestos today is dealing with the past. People still suffer from mesothelioma and other respiratory problems caused by asbestos. Perhaps an even bigger problem is how to deal with the asbestos that is still out there in older buildings, concrete and insulation. For more than half of the 20th century asbestos was used just about anywhere that required insulation. It was just about everywhere out there - and still is.

Of course the public outcry against asbestos called for the immediate removal of all asbestos anywhere people were exposed to the hazard. However, this is often easier said than done. In all too many cases the biggest expense involved in renovating an older building is dealing with asbestos. Often the expense of totally removing asbestos has prevented renovation of older buildings. Demolishing or renovating old buildings used to be easy but not anymore.

For many years asbestos removal was at a stand still. Those companies that could afford to remove asbestos insulation in their buildings had already done so; often at great expense. Those companies with smaller financial resources usually just left their old buildings alone and delayed dealing with the asbestos. Finally in the 1990s governments started to approve alternate ways of dealing with asbestos in buildings.

Currently there are 3 approved ways of dealing with asbestos in older buildings. Removal is still the preferred way, but is very expensive and not entirely without dangers. Simply getting the asbestos out exposes it to people. The trick and expense in asbestos removal is keeping it out of the air and away from people. An additional problem with asbestos removal is you have to install new insulation and fireproofing, usually fiberglass, to replace the asbestos you are removing.

A second way of dealing with asbestos is called encapsulation. This involves actually building a structure around the asbestos so that it is totally contained. In some cases this is a viable option but usually it is almost as expensive as removal. Many buildings cannot handle the extra weight of the encapsulation structure.

The third way of dealing with asbestos is called encasement. With this procedure a special 2-part coating is sprayed over the asbestos totally preventing exposure to the fibers. The first coat is a primer that binds with the asbestos fibers, holds them in place and also prepares the surface for the second coat. The second coat is the sealer that does just that, totally sealing off the asbestos.

Independent testing of encasement has shown that the final surface is completely safe. There are no airborne fibers or other volatile substances coming off the surface. It is totally harmless. In the field, encasement has proven to be more than 50 percent less expensive compared to removal and can be done in half the time and with much less labor expense. The big drawback with encasement is the asbestos is still there but as long as the building isn't changed or demolished the encasement coating renders the asbestos totally harmless.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral with very remarkable qualities: it can effectively resist heat, steam, and fire. These qualities make asbestos an ideal material for insulation, which were used to line roofs, ceilings, attics, and walls of both houses and buildings. The type of insulation was widely used in residential, public, and commercial buildings before the 1980's.

Despite its excellent qualities that made it an ideal ingredient for construction materials, asbestos is highly hazardous to both the health of humans and animals. Asbestos consists of several silicate minerals that can be separated into fibers and particles easily. When inhaled and ingested, these particles and fibers can cause a variety of pulmonary diseases, including asbestos poisoning (a scarring of the lung tissues caused by sharp asbestos fibers and will cause chest pains, shortness of breath, and dry coughing), mesothelioma (a cancer unique to asbestos exposure-and an extremely fatal one), and several kinds of cancer that will affect the lungs, stomach, larynx, esophagus, and even the kidneys.

Asbestos insulation is a problem that plagues a lot of homeowners and property owners. Action should be immediately taken, because the risks of the diseases mentioned above will increase when exposure is prolonged. How will you know if your insulation uses asbestos? Here are a few things to watch out for:

• It is important for you to know the exact date when the house or building you are living in is constructed. If it was built before the 1960's, there is a high chance that the insulation material lining the walls, attic, and roofs. 
• Check if the insulation used in your house or building is of the loose or batted type. These kinds of insulation material will look life fluffy, grayish clumps of fibers and they are often found between the rafters. 
• If your home has a lot of old pipes, check if they are covered with a blanket-like material in the elbow joints and valves-these are insulation materials that contain asbestos. There are also asbestos insulation materials that look like cardboard coverings-and this was especially popular in steam heating pipes manufactured in the 1910's to the 1980's.

If you suspect that the insulation materials in your home or building contain asbestos, you should treat them as though they really contain asbestos. This means avoiding contact or exposure to them, and immediately calling a professional asbestos remover to inspect them. Asbestos can only be positively identified by using polarizing light microscopy, which can be found in laboratories certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

You should not try to remove asbestos insulation by yourself, even if you wear something over your nose to provide protection from inhaling the fibers. Licensed professionals use special masks and gloves to handle the asbestos materials, and they possess the technical knowledge to safely extract these materials from your home. They also use special equipment to isolate and seal off the infected area, and initiate decontamination once the job is done.

People turned to asbestos

While many people know of the connection between asbestos exposure and lung cancer, you may not realize that ingesting or inhaling asbestos has also been linked to kidney, or renal, cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that 12,980 Americans die of renal cancer each year. Although you cannot protect yourself from everything that may cause kidney cancer, you can avoid asbestos to minimize that risk factor.

As well as asbestos, there are other risk factors that can increase your chance of developing kidney cancer. Other workplace hazards include cadmium, benzene, trichloroethylene, and some herbicides. Additionally, smoking and suffering from obesity can also increase your risk. Interestingly, however, the rates of kidney cancer have been rising since the 1970s. While this could be attributed to better cancer detection techniques, it could also be that people who were exposed to asbestos before it was banned are now developing this type of cancer.

The problem with asbestos is that it was a very popular material before doctors realized the dangers of the fibers. Although even the ancient Greek and Roman cultures utilized asbestos, it did not become widely-used until the Industrial Revolution. During that time, people noted the need for insulating materials for the engines and piping now in place in buildings and ships.

Why People turned to asbestos ?

People turned to asbestos because it has amazing insulating abilities. Asbestos is part of the silicate family of minerals. Silicates are known for their ability to resist heat, flame, chemicals, and biodegradation. Besides these useful characteristics, asbestos was also helpful because it has high tensile strength and flexibility.

Due to these helpful properties, it is no surprise that asbestos became a staple for construction, automotive, shipping, and other industries. In building construction alone, asbestos could be found in the insulation, vinyl flooring, counter tops, roofing tar, and roofing tiles. Ships were built using asbestos insulation as well. Lastly, the automotive industry utilized this material for brake pads, brake shoes, clutch pads, and gaskets.

Asbestos can cause renal cancer because your body is unable to process the fibers. When asbestos particles are released into the air or water, you can inhale or ingest the fibers. Once in your body, they can become lodged in your organs or cycle around the bloodstream since your body cannot break them down. If they are in the blood, they can get caught in the filtering area of the kidneys. From here, they can become stuck in the kidneys and cause malignant tumors.

Kidney cancer can be especially dangerous because it is so close to the bloodstream. If the tumor in the kidney is malignant, it can break off and flow through the blood to another part of the body.

If you or someone you know has developed kidney cancer due to asbestos exposure, you should speak to an asbestos attorney about your options.

Good insulation results in less energy costs

Insulation in your home is something that many take for granted. Good insulation results in less energy costs. A problem is that many homes have were vermiculite insulation containing hazardous asbestos fibers.

How Do I Know if I Have Vermiculite Insulation? 

Luckily, vermiculite insulation is often easy to recognize because its appearance resembles small pebbles that are grey, brown, silver or gold. It was a very popular form of insulation used in homes and buildings over the course of many years. If you look at your insulation (but do not disturb it or move it) and it appears to look like small pebbles, it may be contaminated with asbestos. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.

Asbestos is dangerous and toxic when it is disturbed, so the last thing that you want to do is head to your attic and begin pulling the insulation down as doing so will release the fibers that can put you and your family at risk for cancer, respiratory diseases and heart problems. If you see the vermiculite insulation in your attic, it may also be in your walls. Again, do not begin tearing down your walls or, in any way try removing the insulation without guidance from a professional.

Is My Family as Risk if We Just Leave the Insulation? 

As long as you do not disturb the insulation you and your family may be safe. When the asbestos is moved around (disturbed) it begins releasing harmful and toxic chemicals that are dangerous when inhaled.

If you need to go into your attic, be sure to wear protective gloves and a mask just in case you accidentally move any of the insulation. If your attic has a lot of the vermiculite insulation, it is probably best not to store anything in the attic or to have it professionally cleaned by an asbestos removal professional.

What if I Want to Remodel My Home? 

If you are planning to remodel, you will need to hire a professional because he or she may know how you can do the remodeling without having to move the insulation.

What if I Have Been Exposed? 

If you have disturbed some of the vermiculite insulation in your home or have torn down a wall in your home, you may want to consider having the remaining insulation in your home tested for the presence of asbestos. You and your family will need to be regularly tested for asbestos-related illnesses if the insulation tests positive for asbestos.

Final Thoughts 

While some people assume that it is better to remove asbestos insulation if it exists in their homes, new research has found that leaving it alone undisturbed is the best defense. Even if you have to remodel, there are ways to do so to prevent the disturbance of the asbestos contaminated insulation. Always consult a professional before making any decisions.

Asbestos litigation is a...

An asbestos lawyer is a personal injury lawyer who specializes in asbestos litigation. Asbestos litigation is a personal injury lawsuit that deals with exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can result in mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or other asbestos-related illnesses. People who were exposed to asbestos sue employers, asbestos manufacturers, and others responsible for their exposure, and an asbestos lawyer represents them. Many of these cases are large class action cases, which means multiple plaintiffs sue one company. 

According to the EWG Action Fund, as of 2002 approximately 730,000 people who were exposed to asbestos had sued, and more people were estimated to continue suing. Asbestos lawyers have had a very promising career with asbestos lawsuits, as EWG Action Fund states that asbestos litigation has been the longest running mass class action lawsuit(s) in United States History. Over $70 billion dollars had been paid out to lawyers and clients as of 2002.

Type of Law

Asbestos litigation is tort litigation. This means an asbestos lawyer must be a civil litigator. Civil litigation involves suits brought by one or more plaintiffs against other people or the government. It is different from criminal litigation, in which government representatives try people for crimes with the purposes of imposing criminal penalties. Civil litigators, like asbestos lawyers, sue to try to recover money or other damages for their clients.

As civil litigators, asbestos lawyers must understand how to file lawsuits on behalf of their clients. They must appear in court to make arguments on behalf of their clients and/or negotiate with the defendant to try to settle a claim on their clients behalf. In addition to appearing in court, asbestos lawyers have to do legal research and investigative work. This may involve proving that their clients were exposed to asbestos or that their clients actually suffered damages as result of the exposure.

Education

Asbestos lawyers must graduate from law school and take the Bar Exam in the state they want to practice in. While there is no requirement that an asbestos lawyer specialize in personal injury litigation in law school, many asbestos lawyers did either specialize or participate in law school programs that provided them with time in courtrooms, such as moot court or working in clinics to get experience representing clients.

Many asbestos cases are handled by large law firms, as a result of the size and complexity of asbestos litigation. Large law firms tend to hire attorneys who had good grades in law school and who went to prestigious law schools.

Class Action Litigation

The vast majority of asbestos litigation is in the form of class action litigation. This means that instead of one victim suing separately, many victims get together and sue one company together. This can result in the company being more likely to settle. However, in order to be in a class action, the "class" or group of victims must be certified by the judge.

An asbestos litigation attorney may be responsible for finding a number of victims to be part of a class. They may also be hired by an individual who wants to join a class action, and they can work in conjunction with the "lead attorney" on the class action, to help represent their client as part of this group of victims.

Fees and Payment

Like most personal injury attorneys, asbestos lawyers are usually paid on a contingent fee basis. This means that instead of getting paid an hourly fee or getting money up front, they are paid a portion of the amount that their client wins in court or gets in a settlement.

If an asbestos lawyer is representing a class or group of plaintiffs, the lawyer still get a percentage of the total settlement for all plaintiffs involved. If several lawyers are working on a case together, the "managing attorney" who coordinates the asbestos class action litigation may also get a management fee. When there is a large class action with many victims who were exposed to asbestos, the contingent fee can be a very large sum of money. The average contingency fee is 30% of a settlement.

Possible Legal Changes

Asbestos reform legislation has been proposed to help stop companies from going bankrupt or being crippled by asbestos class actions. Potential asbestos attorneys need to be aware that asbestos litigation reform could change the nature of the asbestos law career. Under the proposed Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005 (FAIR), the government is proposing that companies create a trust fund to pay reparations to asbestos victims, instead of allowing victims to sue each company individually. If this provision is accepted (as of 2009, this law has not been passed into law), then asbestos attorneys would no longer be able to file large mass class action suits to recover damages for their clients as a result of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Defense Attorneys

An asbestos attorney can also defend the corporations and manufacturers of the asbestos. This type of defense work can involve disputing claims of people who claim they were exposed. This may involve investigation and looking back at old work records. Asbestos defense attorneys may also negotiate settlements with plaintiffs attorneys in order to minimize the potential financial risk to a company that might result from a jury verdict.

How to Seal Asbestos Tiles

If you have an older home, your old tile flooring may contain asbestos. Asbestos is a tough, durable fiber known to cause a variety of respiratory ailments and diseases such as cancer. Floor remodeling jobs in the home may require a professional asbestos removal company if the asbestos-based tile is chipped, crumbling or otherwise damaged. However, if it is intact, you can seal the tiles yourself to prevent future asbestos exposure. After sealing the asbestos tiles, you can install a new floor on top of the old one.

1. Use the hammer and pry bar to remove the baseboards along the floor in the area that has the asbestos tile. Pry the baseboards away from the wall gently to prevent splintering so you can use them again. Removing the boards allows better application of the embossing leveler. 
2. Prepare the asbestos tile flooring by wet mopping it to ensure all dirt and debris is removed. If there are any oily areas, use a degreasing cleanser on the floor then rinse with water. Allow the floor to dry slightly, until just moist to the touch. 
3. Mix the embossing leveler (purchased at most paint, flooring or hardware stores) with water, according to manufacturer's instructions in one of the large buckets. Use the wood paint stirrer stick to mix the leveler compound to a smooth consistency. 
4. Fill remaining bucket with water. This water bucket will serve as a rinsing receptacle for the metal trowel during the leveler compound application process. 
5. Pour the mixed embossing leveler compound on the asbestos tile flooring. 
6. Use the metal trowel to smooth the leveler compound across the asbestos floor tile. You have a short amount of time to work with the embossing leveler before it starts to set or cure, so trowel quickly. You want this underlayment to form a thin, level layer over the tile, creating a sealed surface in which no asbestos fibers can escape. 
7. Rinse the metal trowel in the water bucket every few minutes to prevent a buildup of the leveler compound on the metal surface. 
8. Allow the embossing leveler compound to dry for at least two hours. Check manufacturer's instructions for more approximate drying times. During the drying process, do not walk on the floor surface. Once cured, you can use the hammer to re-install the base boards. 
9. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle as this will provide optimal, quick spreading of the embossing leveler. Have someone help you during the embossing leveler spreading process since the mixed compound cures so fast. If you are doing the job yourself, consider mixing one small batch at a time so you do not waste any compound that cures and hardens before you can spread it on the asbestos tile floor. 
10. Do not apply the embossing leveler on asbestos tile flooring that encounters a lot of moisture as the leveler compound may not cure correctly. Call an asbestos removal professional if your asbestos tile flooring is chipped or crumbling. This creates asbestos fiber dust that can easily be ingested, causing a variety of ailments.