Asbestos Concern

[MildredHubble]

Automobile brake parts are made from asbestos.

I'm sure this was true until the 80s/90s but I'm fairly sure that other materials are used now for clutches/brake pads? There's a warning in the Haynes manual for my car but in a later revision, (that unfortunately I don't own a copy of any more) the warning was amended. The new version added that only older parts were likely to be made from asbestos but it was advised not to breathe the dust regardless. I only have a couple of copies of the first edition not the later one so I can't confirm it.

EDIT: I did a quick search and I found that in the UK the use of asbestos began to be phased out in the 80s but it may still be used in the US and some other places. Older cars (like mine) may still have clutches from the 80s or dust from old clutches in the transmission casing so its still best to be careful.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I wouldn't worry so much about three boards of possible asbestos.

When I was in school, there were pipes with asbestos warnings along the ceilings. Some of the more delinquent boys would jump up in the air with a pencil, and poke holes in the insulation, making the asbestos powder snow down on people walking behind them in line.

Also I grew up rurally with very little to do as a child. There was a crack in the siding on kitchen wall and when no one was looking, I would sit and pull out little bits of 1960s era insulation through the crack.

I later learned when grandpa resealed the wall that the insulation contained asbestos. He had to put up plastic sheets in the kitchen to minimize exposure.

And I had been playing with it for years. Slowly pulling the little fluffs out like strings of cotton candy.

So, if I'm okay, you'll be okay.

You know, my dad worked at a nuclear power plant back in the 60s, pushing around carts of nuclear waste in his jeans and tee shirt, back before anyone knew the dangers. And he lived to be a good old age.

A lot of what we worry about never comes to pass.

But if you're really worried, you could call in an inspector, but personally I'd rather keep the money it would take to hire one.

 

[mw2530]

Get s hose and rinse it all down once. All of the asbestos dust will be gone, but it wouldn’t hurt anyone even if you don’t.

I have a question on this. The ash/debris pile is outside and as a result it has been rained on a few times. Once it dries out, wouldn't the asbestos dust remain and easily kicked up into the air? I ask because my dad has already began piling up wood and other items on the ash pile to prepare for another fire eventually. I would think there is a risk of disturbing any potential remaining asbestos fibers into the air each time he adds anything to the pile. Resulting in him potentially breathing it in or getting on his clothes or shoes.

I don't think my dad is educated on the risks of asbestos so I do not trust his judgement at all on this.

 

[mw2530]

As I have researched more about asbestos, I've learned that farmers can be an at risk occupation for asbestos exposure. Many farm buildings have building materials that contained asbestos along with farming supplies and soil conditioners. Additionally, it may be found in machinery. Growing up on a dairy farm, I imagine I have been exposed from time to time over the years. It is difficult to know one way or another.

I have unfortunately become obsessed with asbestos and the risks of asbestos the past several weeks.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

It's outside dilution is the solution. As with covid I only caught it while inside. Keep in mind asbestos is a mineral mined from the ground.

 

[AspieChris]

I have a question on this. The ash/debris pile is outside and as a result it has been rained on a few times. Once it dries out, wouldn't the asbestos dust remain and easily kicked up into the air? I ask because my dad has already began piling up wood and other items on the ash pile to prepare for another fire eventually. I would think there is a risk of disturbing any potential remaining asbestos fibers into the air each time he adds anything to the pile. Resulting in him potentially breathing it in or getting on his clothes or shoes.

I don't think my dad is educated on the risks of asbestos so I do not trust his judgement at all on this.

The reality is that asbestos fibers are much lije sand. It’s dusty until wet, and becomes dusty again when dry. BUT…. even though asbestos is definitely linked to diseases of the lungs, it’s a lot like smoke from a fireplace. A little never hurt anyone. It’s going to take a LOT more exposure than a little dust from a pile of dusty debris outdoors for a few minutes.

Think of second hand smoke. Toxic? Yes. But it’s only ever had a real effect on people who lived with it every day for years and years.

 

[Hazel_1914]

I have done asbestos abatement on antique radios and it's safer if you were to wet it down first to keep dust in one place. Dig the hole and spray the boards with the garden hose and bury them, and you should be good.

 

[MildredHubble]

I have done asbestos abatement on antique radios and it's safer if you were to wet it down first to keep dust in one place. Dig the hole and spray the boards with the garden hose and bury them, and you should be good.

We removed some plasterwork which appeared to have some asbestos in it when I looked at samples under a microscope. We did the same thing and wet down the plaster first and carefully removed small sections while wearing breathing masks that could filter any particles out. We placed it into bags and sealed it and took it to the appropriate facility for disposal. It was really just a precaution as I could only be so sure it contained asbestos.

I think its always wise to take precautions with potentially dangerous substances. My grandad was a miner and he inhaled nasty stuff at work. Even though his health deteriorated due to other work related damage which put an early end to his mining career, he still developed severe breathing problems which ultimately contributed to his death.

So an abundance of caution is always the smart move I think.