Purposes
- To
educate students, faculty, and staff about the
presence of asbestos at the university,
- To
identify the potential hazards associated with
occupational and environmental asbestos exposure,
and
- To
establish University requirements to prevent
occupational exposure to asbestos and maintain
it in undamaged condition
General Information
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral
that was used extensively in hundreds of products
because of its insulation, fire protection, and
acoustical properties. Some examples of products
manufactured with asbestos include: vinyl floor
tile and mastic (adhesives), pipe insulation,
thermal system insulation on mechanical equipment,
acoustical plaster, structural steel fireproofing,
ceiling tiles, roofing materials, laboratory hood
panels, laboratory benches, automobile brakes
and clutches, laboratory heating mantles, and
fire resistant gloves and apparel. All materilas
suspected of containing asbestos should be treated
as such until material sampling and analysis can
determine actual asbestos content. Confirmed asbestos
containing materials do not pose a health risk
when they are intact and well maintained.
Occupational
asbestos exposures can result in pulmonary disease
such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer,
and stomach cancer. Occupational exposure refers
to work activities associated with the manufacture
of asbestos containing products or the maintenance,
renovation, or demolition of asbestos containing
building materials over a long time period. Environmental
exposure refers to activities that are unlikely
to damage or disturb asbestos containing materials,
and the health risk associated with environmental
asbestos exposure appears to be very low.
In
1985, Rutgers established an asbestos management
program to prevent damage to asbestos containing
materials, to minimize or prevent employee occupational
asbestos exposures, to minimize environmental
exposure to building occupants, and when necessary,
to remove asbestos products in a safe and effective
manner.
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