Asbestos at Home
EPA Addresses Legacy Asbestos Risks
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken significant steps in addressing the risks associated with legacy uses of asbestos. In a newly released draft risk evaluation, the EPA identifies disturbing and handling asbestos in legacy applications as presenting an “unreasonable risk” to human health. This draft represents the second phase of the EPA’s risk assessment…
Read MoreSecondhand Asbestos Exposure Prevalent Among Steelworkers’ Families
Secondhand asbestos exposure can occur when an individual encounters asbestos fibers through the clothing or equipment of someone who has been working with asbestos-containing materials. This is also known as Bystander Exposure. Asbestos could be found throughout steel mills which included blast furnaces, coke ovens, basic oxygen furnaces, strip mills, and the open-hearth department. Heat…
Read MoreAsbestos Dangers & Employer Responsibilities in Pittsburgh
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing industries for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, it has since been discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Pittsburgh, like many other cities in the United States, has a history…
Read MoreUncommon Asbestos Applications in the Past
Throughout most of the 20th century, asbestos was a popular building material that became standard in manufacturing, industrial industry, and in many households. Today, when we think of asbestos, we might imagine insulation, siding, roofing, and vinyl floor tiles as common asbestos applications. However, because of its appearance, sound proofing, and heat resistant capabilities, asbestos was…
Read MoreAsbestos in the State of Pennsylvania
Throughout much of the 20th century, asbestos was a popular building material due to its heat resistance, high-tensile strength, and affordability. As the dangers of asbestos became known, its use declined. The carcinogen was even banned for a short period of time in the late 1980s. However, its widespread use has had lingering effects on society…
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