Asbestos
Asbestos 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 MoreAsbestos Cement Exposure: Roofing, Siding, and Pipes
Asbestos use dates back thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the Industrial Age and the mid- 20th century that asbestos was popularized as a building material. One of these common building materials was asbestos cement, or asbestos cement sheet (AC sheet) in which asbestos fibers were used to reinforce cement sheets. Asbestos cement can be…
Read MorePittsburgh Asbestos History
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a long history of industrialization and manufacturing, which has put many individuals in the area at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in building materials and other products until the 1980s because of its durability, insulation properties, and fire resistance. However, asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and can…
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…
Read MoreHow Long Does Asbestos Remain in the Air?
Asbestos is a naturally earth-formed fibrous, silicate mineral found in rocks and soil. Asbestos is odorless, insoluble, heat, and fire-resistant. Despite its strength and thermal resistance, asbestos can become brittle and break down into microscopic, glass-like particles that can become airborne. Once airborne, humans can inhale these particles nearby and cause severe cancerous and non-cancerous…
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