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Asbestos Removal – US Fights back Mesothelioma with $ 2Billion Aid

By the time information on the dangers of asbestos inhalation reached the main masses, millions of individuals have already been employed in companies whose buildings contained asbestos. Asbestos was seen as a revolutionary material because of its relatively cheap cost and it high insulating properties. As a result, it was widely used in ducting, piping and wall installations were there was a need to reduce heat transfer. However, it was later realized that manufacturers were concealing the after effects of asbestos exposure due to the high financial gains they were receiving from its production.

Beginning of the end for Asbestos

The awareness of the dangerous side effects of asbestos exposure began in 1966 when a group of workers at an asbestos factory sued the factory for compensation due to their exposure to asbestos. They lost the original case, but the case was reopened in 1970 when the courts ruled in favor of the plaintiff and awarded him $70,000 that would translate to $500,000 today. This gave rise to the passing of the clean air act of 1970 that made asbestos manufacturers liable for lawsuit due to asbestos exposure. This resulted in many of these companies filing bankruptcy and going out of business. However, due to high installation rate of asbestos during the sixties and seventies, many buildings remain laden with asbestos and still pose a risk to their occupants.

Asbestos Removal

There are many schools of thought when it comes to how to deal with asbestos. It is a fact that the dangers of asbestos lies in its inhalation. Therefore, if the asbestos is not disturbed, where its particles would be dislodged into the immediate environment, then it does not pose a threat to the environment. To go further, some argue that removing asbestos poses an even greater threat than leaving it dormant. During its removal, it is natural that the asbestos particles will become dislodged. As a result, those in the immediate environment will be at risk.

As a result, engineers have asbestos removal should be reserved only to buildings schedule for demolition were the particles will become air born after the demolition. Otherwise, if the asbestos can be contained, it would have the same effect of removing it. Some of these proposed measures include deep sealing where asbestos that is good condition is encapsulated in some form of semi-plastic or foam that can prevents its release even if disturbed after. Another proposal, again only if the asbestos is in good condition, is to post labels in buildings that have asbestos used in its construction. This will make individuals aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure and then make decisions accordingly. Finally, all new buildings must be constructed without the use of asbestos.

UN leading the way with Asbestos Removal

In its effort to add its voice to the fight against mesothelioma, the United Nations building will undertake a 2 billion makeover of its office in New York. This makeover involves the removal of all asbestos-based materials, repair leaking roofs and install energy saving devices to reduce its carbon footprint. This project slated to begin in 2014 is to be used as a beacon for the fight of mesothelioma.

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