If you are in a building anywhere in the world that was built before the 70’s/80’s, there is a very high chance it’s got asbestos in it. They used it for everything because it’s cheap and durable and has useful properties. Similar to things like lead paint.
IIRC, the only problem with asbestos is when you tear up/demolish a building. Injested asbestos particles cause the health problems. If the building doesn’t suffer any damage, the asbestos remains inert and doesn’t cause any harm.
I think you’ll be surprised at how much asbestos is still used worldwide, including in the US. We’re not using it as wall and ceiling insulation anymore, but it’s still used for things like pipes and vinyl floor tiles.
At one point, it was thought to be very safe because of its fire resistance, treated as a miracle material. many buildings throughout the world were made with asbestos, and many still exists.
for the most part it is only harmful when disturbed, either when mining and processing, or when destroyed.
Why did they build their buildings with aspestoes?
If you are in a building anywhere in the world that was built before the 70’s/80’s, there is a very high chance it’s got asbestos in it. They used it for everything because it’s cheap and durable and has useful properties. Similar to things like lead paint.
IIRC, the only problem with asbestos is when you tear up/demolish a building. Injested asbestos particles cause the health problems. If the building doesn’t suffer any damage, the asbestos remains inert and doesn’t cause any harm.
I think you’ll be surprised at how much asbestos is still used worldwide, including in the US. We’re not using it as wall and ceiling insulation anymore, but it’s still used for things like pipes and vinyl floor tiles.
At one point, it was thought to be very safe because of its fire resistance, treated as a miracle material. many buildings throughout the world were made with asbestos, and many still exists.
for the most part it is only harmful when disturbed, either when mining and processing, or when destroyed.
And even then, it would likely have to be repeated occupational exposure to cause issues, not a one-off dust event.
This isn’t cyanide or something
problem is you can get a deadly exposure and not realize at the time, because it will take 20 years until the effects destroy your lungs.