Asbestos is one of those things that many people hear about but don\u2019t really understand. People know that older buildings seem to have a lot of asbestos, they know that the material can cause health problems, and they know that there is a concerted effort to have the material removed from older buildings. That said, many people don\u2019t actually know much about the material. So what is it? Why is it bad for people? Is this really an issue New Yorkers have to worry about?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral<\/a>. The fibers in asbestos make it an incredibly durable material. This is why it’s popular for fire-proofing buildings, insulation, roofing, flooring, and even in cars. There are several kinds of asbestos, each one with different properties. Of these variations, five pose the greatest health risk to human beings. Unfortunately, these five are also in buildings, cars, and the infrastructure of our cities and towns. This naturally occurring mineral combines with other materials. It can be dangerous for people to consume.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Asbestos has been used by human beings for thousands of years. Many experts even claim the word comes from ancient Greek or Latin<\/a>. Ancient societies used the fibrous material to insulate clothes. Eventually, people discovered that the material was largely fireproof, which made it very valuable to the rich and powerful in society. One of the more famous uses of asbestos comes from King Charlemagne of France, who used a tablecloth woven with asbestos to stave off fires that would frequent his home during raucous celebrations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wealthy people generally used asbestos since it was a well-known and strong material. It wasn\u2019t until the 1800s that the mineral found its way into the households of common folks. The Industrial Revolution kicked things into high gear, making it possible to manufacture more asbestos and find new ways it could be utilized. Soon the fiber was found in everything from houses to trains. In a few short decades, asbestos became foundational in the infrastructure of the United States and Europe. That said, the correlation between asbestos exposure and health concerns was already being noticed.<\/p>\r\n Those who mined the mineral, especially, had a higher rate of lung disease, as did the factory workers exposed for a longer period of time. Still, producers made larger and larger quantities as the years went by. Producers made 30,000 tons of asbestos annually by the 1900’s. This increase in mining and production peaked in the US during the 1970’s. While nearly 4 million tons of asbestos products were being produced at that time, solid scientific evidence linking asbestos exposure and health concerns was becoming more well-known. It wasn\u2019t just the factory workers and miners who were seeing negative impacts anymore.<\/p>\r\n Soon workers\u2019 unions, scientists, and activists began advocating for safer infrastructure and working conditions. Several lawsuits against asbestos companies crippled the industry in many places, and the material was banned in many countries in 2003. Among these countries were Italy, Argentina, Poland, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and many more. By 2005, the EU banned the material entirely. Though the United States has yet to issue a complete ban, the last mine for it in the states closed in 2002. Today, many developing nations still use the material, but most of the world has been making efforts to steer away from the natural fiber.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Asbestos is a highly durable material that’s beneficial for fireproofing, strengthening materials, and building. Many recent uses include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While the material is natural and all around us, long term exposure can be very harmful to people. Asbestos in older buildings is especially common in the walls, roofing, and wiring, meaning someone could be surrounded by it and not even know it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The most common health concern surrounding asbestos is mesothelioma<\/a>, an aggressive cancer that can form nearly half a century after initial exposure to the material. Other health risks include a less aggressive form of lung cancer, as well as asbestosis, a condition in which the lungs become inflamed and make it hard to breathe. While most people are exposed to some asbestos during their life, these illnesses usually pop up when people face long term exposure to the fiber. For example, people who live in a home lined with asbestos are at an increased risk, as are workers who handle the materials. Other factors, like smoking, can increase the likelihood of these conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n People need to inhale or ingest<\/a> asbestos before it becomes dangerous. Fibers build up in lungs and digestive tissues, damaging cells and changing their genetic makeup. This significantly increases the risk for cancer and even basic inflammation of the lungs or digestive system. For this reason, only those certified to handle the material should deal with it. Those in unsafe asbestos conditions should leave the building until the issue is resolved.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There is no specific way to test a dangerous exposure to asbestos. There are tests to determine if a building or space has dangerous amounts of the material, but the health effects caused by it can remain dormant for decades. People who live in a building constructed before 1980, work with insulation, or dispose of the material have a higher risk, as do those who smoke cigarettes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n New York City has done a pretty good job when it comes to getting rid of asbestos. However, there are a lot of buildings here, so it pays to be cautious. Any building constructed before 1980 will likely have some asbestos unless its interior has been fully renovated. Even then, some asbestos from the original build might be left behind. Those who suspect or worry that their apartment complex has asbestos should call 311 or go to nyc.gov<\/a> and file a complaint. A licensed inspector from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will gather samples from the air and apartment materials to see if residents are in any danger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Landlords and building owners are solely responsible<\/a> for making sure asbestos is disposed of in a safe way that complies with federal and state regulations. It\u2019s possible that pipes, boilers, or furnaces in a complex might contain asbestos. If they are broken, then it’s up to the building\u2019s ownership to replace them immediately. They are also responsible for fixing any conditions that would expose tenants to asbestos in the building\u2019s foundation. Landlords must remove unstable material. That said, they must follow all OSHA requirements for the removal of the material.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n New York City also has an abatement program<\/a>. This allows all landlords and building owners to ask the DEP to investigate buildings before complaints. Those who don\u2019t wish to file a complaint but want to see if their building has issues should speak to their landlords about this program. It\u2019s an easy and efficient way to deal with asbestos before it becomes a major problem for other residents in the building.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If the DEP finds unsafe asbestos conditions and a landlord or building owner refuses to solve the issue, file a complaint with the housing authority<\/a>. Residents should try to resolve these issues on their own before resorting to housing court, though an unresponsive landlord might not give residents much choice. More importantly, if unsafe asbestos conditions are in a home, and a building owner is doing nothing about it, residents should find a safe place<\/a> to go temporarily.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n People have been using asbestos for thousands of years, and the material has been around even longer. It’s is everywhere, even in trace amounts of the air we breathe. While most people won\u2019t face asbestos-related issues, exposure is still a major issue, especially in cities with older buildings. It\u2019s important to recognize the dangers and take the steps to get rid of it or make necessary repairs to contain it. New York City has a ton of resources available to help residents and building owners solve asbestos issues before they even arise, so make sure to become acquainted with them. The more people know about the dangers, the healthier the city will be.<\/p>\r\n Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Asbestos is one of those things that many people hear about but don\u2019t really understand. People know that older buildings seem to have a lot of asbestos, they know that the material can cause health problems, and they know that there is a concerted effort to have the material removed from older buildings. That said, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":17001,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[431],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16999","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-home-living"},"yoast_head":"\nHistory of Asbestos<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dangers of Handling<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Changes in Modern Conditions<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Asbestos Uses<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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What Health Problems Are Associated with Asbestos?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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How Do I Know I Test for Exposure?\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How To Know If An NYC Apartment Has Asbestos<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What If Asbestos is In My Building?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What If My Landlord Doesn\u2019t Comply With The DEP\u2019s Investigation?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n