Asbestos used in Thailand construction?

[tonymaroni]

Just wondering if Asbestos is used in Thai construction?

I saw an news article on the BBC the other day saying that Russia is still a big exporter of Asbestos in construction materials to Asia.

It is banned in the USA. Wide reports of illness after breathing the the dust created when using.

I'm not hanging any drywall or doing any heavy home improvements at my age.

But I do come across countless Thai construction sites, or demolition sites just walking around town. It is probably a good idea to give them a wide berth in passing. But I wanted to know if it actually would be a good idea to even make sure I keep them downwind.

Thanks

Doc

[PeteC]

A big yes. Recent article from the Bangkok Post. Pete

http://www.bangkokpost.com/life/propert ... ave-on-the

[DSB]

This year I have been involved in two asbestos clearance projects, here is some facts on the Chrysotile asbestos in use in Thailand,

History of Asbestos:

First known use recorded as 4000BC, wicks in lamps and candles.
Egyptian Pharaohs entombed in asbestos clothing for preservation 2000-3000BC.
Anecdotal evidence from 800 – 900 AD of Charlemagne’s table cloth being woven from chrysotile.
Asbestos papers and boards manufactured in Italy in early 1700’s.
Chrysotile mined in 1712 in Russia during reign of Peter The Great.
Chrysotile first discovered in Quebec, Canada 1850.
1899 – First patent for the manufacture of asbestos cement products in Germany.
Commercial mining of asbestos on a world scale first commenced in early-mid 19th century;
Asbestos exported to countries where milling and manufacturing took place. Large asbestos industries founded in early 1870’s in Germany, Scotland and England;
Worlds largest asbestos mine was the Jeffrey Open Pit Mine in Quebec, Canada;
Large mines also present in Russia, Greece, South Africa & United States
Amosite asbestos discovered in Transvaal, 1907. (Amosite given its name from Asbestos Mines Of South Africa)
First asbestos industry regulations passed in UK, 1931.
Wizard of Oz film used an asbestos broomstick for the Wicked Witch of the West, 1939.
Post WWII construction projects involved extensive use of asbestos products across Europe.
First asbestos lawsuit filed in 1966, Beaumont, Texas.
1990’s Space shuttle components and solid fuel boosters made from asbestos, one of the few remaining uses.

Uses of Asbestos

Thermal Insulation;
Fire-proofing materials;
Asbestos cement/fibrocement products;
Decorative and acoustic applications;
Electrical switchboards, insulators and fittings;
Vinyl floor coverings
Asbestos felts and paper-like products;
Friction materials (e.g.. Brake linings);
Gaskets;
Paints, coatings, sealants and adhesives;
Textiles (woven cloths, blankets);
Unusual applications

Hazard Potential

Asbestos presents a hazard if fibres are of respirable size and the potential of inhalation by workers is great.
The risk of asbestos-related disease is dependant upon:
the concentration of airborne respirable fibres;
the length of time exposed;
the type of fibre present (amphibole or chrysotile); and
the morphology of the fibres.

Can One Asbestos Fibre Kill?

Scientific evidence DOES NOT support opinions that one asbestos fibre can kill a person.
Measurements of airborne fibre concentrations in cities indicate that an average person inhales up to one point four million fibres every year.

Risks in Perspective:

Event Risk
You will be injured over the next year 1 in 3
Smokers will die from smoking related diseases 1 in 4
You will have a car accident 1 in 12
You will have a heart attack (if over 35) 1 in 77
You will be injured at home 1 in 81
You will die of heart disease 1 in 340
You will die of cancer 1 in 500
You will attempt suicide 1 in 600
You will get prostate cancer or breast cancer 1 in 1000
You will die in pregnancy or childbirth 1 in 14,000
You will die from a fall 1 in 20,000
You will die as a pedestrian 1 in 40,000
You will drown 1 in 50,000
You will die from complications during surgery 1 in 83,000
You will die riding your bike 1 in 130,000
You will die choking on food 1 in 160,000
You will die in an air crash 1 In 250,000
You will contract an Asbestos related disease 1 in 1,000,000
You will be killed by lightning 1 in 2,000,000

While I do agree that asbestos can kill, the risks to people who do not work or live beside asbestos is minimal. Chrysotile is only harmful if it is airborne, ie if it is crushed up enough to turn it in to dust.

It is only recently, in the past 10 - 15 years that legislation to completely ban asbestos has been passed in the western world, as mentioned before, Canada was a big exporter of Chrysotile.

Chrysotile is still used legally in most of Asia.

Hope that helps ease the fear of the stuff!