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Informative Articles

Asbestos: Cause Of Deadly Mesothelioma
A View of Mesothelioma Asbestos is the commercial name given to certain types of fibrous materials. They are silicates of varying compositions; the silica combined with such bases as Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, sodium and Aluminum. Asbestos fibers...

Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Lawsuits
What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that grows on the mesothelium, the membrane or protective sac that surrounds the various organs of the body. It guards the organs by producing a special type of fluid to promote...

Mesothelioma: New treatments for Mesothelioma cancer
There are more treatment possibilities for Mesothelioma cancer than surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy: the clinical trials. They offer no only benefits, but also risks that cancer patients should know before taking part in one of these...

What is Mesothelioma
What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor that involves the mesothelial cells of an organ. Mesothelial cells are cells that form a protective lining over the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The most...

What is Mesothelioma? - The Basics
What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that effects the lining of the chest, abdomen or heart. Most people who have or have had mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos about 35-40 years before contracting the disease....

 
Asbestos Testing- Search For The Devil

Asbestos Testing – Why?

Asbestos testing seeks to detect the presence of asbestos in any given material. When any asbestos containing material is disturbed, it releases very thin invisible fibers that may remain suspended in the air for many hours, and have a causative association with a plethora of disease manifestations involving the epithelial lining of human visceral cavities, including the deadly mesothelioma. Much asbestos containing material is being unearthed nowadays due to intense remodeling and renovation of old structures, dating back to days when asbestos was extensively used in construction.

Asbestos Testing- When?

EPA's Sample List of Suspect Asbestos-Containing Materials Exit Ecology lists the possible candidates for asbestos testing. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Any surfacing agent or thermal insulation material used in buildings constructed earlier than 1980 is presumed as containing asbestos (WISHA Interim Interpretive Memorandum #99-1-C, January 19, 1999), until proved otherwise by laboratory analysis.

Asbestos Sampling

Precautions

Before collection:

- By either specialized laboratory personnel or under guidance.

During collection:

- Minimize dispersal of fibers
- Avoid heating/cooling draughts
- Minimize the handling time and amount
- Spray the sample with fine water and/or detergent


droplets
- Use a sharp knife to cut neatly through the whole depth
- Place a plastic spread below the collection area
- Minimize exposure to self/those in the vicinity
- Handle the sample alone
- Wear gloves and mask
- Drop neatly into an appropriate container

After collection:

- Minimize dispersal
- Proper sealing of the container
- Patching of the sampled area
- Proper disposal of the plastic spread
- Cleaning of the area
- Label the sample meticulously

Asbestos Testing

Asbestos testing is carried out by a certified laboratory using polarized light microscopy (PLM) as per the EPA recommendations.

Asbestos Testing- Results and Interpretation

This form of asbestos testing is qualitative as well as quantitative .The results are given as the percentage (1 to 100) and type of asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos, Amosite or brown asbestos, and Crocidolite or blue asbestos).

About The Author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

Copyright Kirsten Hawkins - http://www.asbestosblog.org