What is Asbestos?
"Asbestos means "inextinguishable" in Greek."
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain rock formations, mined from open pit mines. Most of the asbestos used in the United States today comes from Canada. Three kinds of asbestos are most commonly found in the United States: chrysotile, "white asbestos"; amosite, "brown asbestos"; and crocidolite, "blue asbestos".
Asbestos was called the "miracle fiber: because it could be used in so many different products. Asbestos was not expensive, easy to work with, and it was abundant. The fibers were wonderful because they didn't burn and didn't conduct heat and electricity. The fibers were durable, strong, flexible, and resistant to wear. More than 3000 different products were made using asbestos. Some of these included pipe insulation, sprayed-on fireproofing, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, brake pads, clutch facings, plasters, mastics, adhesives, gaskets, packing materials for valves, asbestos gloves, siding shingles, roofing materials, firemen's clothing, and thousands more products.
Why are we concerned about Asbestos?
Evidence emerged showing that certain diseases are prevalent among asbestos workers. These were the workers who worked in the mills, manufacturing facilities, shipyards, etc. These people had, for the most part, several years of heavy exposures to the airborne fibers. In other words, they were at high risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.
These diseases are asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and digestive system cancers. Fibers may be inhaled (breathed in) or ingested. By far the more important source of exposure is inhalation of the fibers. The fibers are very small and can remain in the air for several hours. The ones that can be inhaled deep into the lung are too small to see and have no odor. Asbestosis (not a cancer) is a chronic lung condition where the lungs become scarred and thickened. Breathing becomes very difficult and the disease may get worse even if the person stops working with asbestos. Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer of the lining of the lung or abdominal cavities and is always fatal in 6-18 months after diagnosis. None of the asbestos-related diseases have early warning symptoms and are usually diagnosed several years after the disease begins to develop.
Why aren't we all sick?
Asbestos is everywhere in the air, soil, and water. Since asbestos exposures can result in cancer, scientists say that there is no known safe level for exposure. But we know that everyone is exposed during his life to some asbestos: it may be in the drinking water and it is in the air at very low levels. HOWEVER, the asbestos-related diseases usually occur in people who have worked with fairly high levels of asbestos for a long time and who were not protected from breathing in the fibers.
Who regulates Asbestos?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required by the Clear Air Act to produce regulations to regulate air pollutants hazardous to health. These are called the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Asbestos is one of these and regulating it was delegated to the Department.
The EPA was also required under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to produce regulations about asbestos in schools. Under AHERA the schools are required to inspect their buildings for asbestos and develop a plan to manage asbestos and develop a plan to manage the asebestos. The Department inspects Maryland's public and private schools for compliance with AHERA.
The Department regulates asbestos in many ways:
Air and Radiation Management Administration:
- Licenses are required for companies that abate asbestos under COMAR 26.11.21. Call toll free (800) 633-6101 ext. 3200 or (410) 537-3200 for more information.
- Training received by asbestos workers and those persons working with asbestos in schools and public and commercial buildings is covered in COMAR 26.11.23. Call toll free (800) 633-6101 or (410) 537-3200 for more information.
- Compliance inspections are carried out in schools that have to comply with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. We also provide technical assistance to these schools. Call toll free (800) 633-6101 ext. 3200 or(410) 537-3200 for more information.
Water and Science Administration:
In 1993, certain suppliers of drinking water were required to set up a monitoring program for asbestos in the drinking water. The drinking water standard is 7,000,000 fibers/liter. Call toll free (800) 633-6101 or (410) 537-3000 for more information.
Land and Materials Administration:
Landfills that accept asbestos for disposal must have a permit to do so. Call toll free (800) 633-6101 ext. 3315 or (410) 537-3315 for more information.
Landfills in Maryland that accept asbestos waste
