Asbestos, my opinion - Plumbing Zone

**Matt** · 01-06-2009, 09:43 PM

All this week I'm taking my 40 hour OSHA Asbestos Supervisor class.

Before starting this course I kinda thought abatement was somewhat of a moneymaking scheme.

After 2 days of lecture I have changed my viewpoint. It is some hazardous stuff. Do a Google search on The city of Libby, Montana.

So, anyway. If you do come across something you think is asbestos. Don't mess with it. Call a pro. It can be 10-40 years before symptoms show up. No cure. No way to get it out of you.

Please don't mess with it. You can take it home on your clothes to the family.

rocksteady · 01-06-2009, 10:20 PM

all my asbestos knowledge is pasted together from others opinions and heresay. i always thought that repeated or long term exposure was hazardous but one time or limited was not so bad. is this not the case? say i cut an asbestos vent with a sawzall one time 5 years ago, (i didn't, let's just say i did) am i screwed?

paul

**Matt** · 01-06-2009, 10:24 PM

I'm not an instructor but, I can say once you inhale fibres. They are in you forever. Are you screwed? I guess only time will tell. I just might be in the same boat you are. I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it though.

Wethead · 01-07-2009, 01:43 AM

do a google search on "second hand smoke"

The funny part is that people worry about asbestos in a boiler room 2 floors down in the basement while sucking on a nice cigarette,

Gasoline is also MORE dangerous if you were to drink it.

You were right the first time, Its a money making scheme

**Matt** · 01-07-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *******

do a google search on "second hand smoke"

The funny part is that people worry about asbestos in a boiler room 2 floors down in the basement while sucking on a nice cigarette,

Gasoline is also MORE dangerous if you were to drink it.

You were right the first time, Its a money making scheme

What does second-hand smoke have to do with what I'm talking about.
Although, I do agree second smokers shoud keep it away from others.

I worry about asbestos in a boiler room while not smoking. It is dangerous when disturbed.

The gasoline comment absoutely makes no sense to me

If you disturb asbestos while working (because hey its not that bad. Just a scheme right) you are subjected to civil litigation.

I'm out.

Wethead · 01-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Right, That's the point, UNTIL it's disturbed it's not dangerous, just like my gasoline comment.

Gasoline is for cars NOT for drinking.

Asbestos is for INSULATING and not PLAYING with,

I mean if your against Asbestos, you might as well be afraid of everything.

Everything is dangerous WHEN not used or dealt with properly, that's my point.

OH and for the "second hand smoke"

Yea, I bet you'll be around someone who smokes but a boiler room with asbestos makes you cringe , it's you who makes no sense, second hand smoke will kill you faster then the 3 minutes in your life that you'll spend with asbestos, hell many people will never even run into it, ever

So yea, just gimmick.

I wonder if we could have the PVC glue police next, You ever look at a MSDS sheet on primer?

Why don't you have a looksie "_". Asbestos won't seem so bad anymore

As you say " I'm out "

JUST MY opinion

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILPlumber

What does second-hand smoke have to do with what I'm talking about.
Although, I do agree second smokers shoud keep it away from others.

I worry about asbestos in a boiler room while not smoking. It is dangerous when disturbed.

The gasoline comment absoutely makes no sense to me

If you disturb asbestos while working (because hey its not that bad. Just a scheme right) you are subjected to civil litigation.

I'm out.

Airgap · 01-07-2009, 07:46 PM

I've had my 40 hour supervisor training for 2 years now, and i am required to have a 1 hour refresher each year to keep being able to do abatements. I have a respect for it similar to working with gas, treat it with respect and know what you are doing and you'll be fine. I also do an average of 2-3 glovebags per month, but I do it out of necessity not as a moneymaking scheme, although at one time this was the case with some AB contractors in the 80's.

**Matt** · 01-07-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airgap

I've had my 40 hour supervisor training for 2 years now, and i am required to have a 1 hour refresher each year to keep being able to do abatements. I have a respect for it similar to working with gas, treat it with respect and know what you are doing and you'll be fine. I also do an average of 2-3 glovebags per month, but I do it out of necessity not as a moneymaking scheme, although at one time this was the case with some AB contractors in the 80's.

Good post air-gap. I'm glad you shared your experiences with me. I've never met another plumber that was also a certified supervisor. I think it will come in very handy.
Few questions for you:

What kind of mask do you use? I hear 3m is most comfortable?

Where do you buy your stuff? Glove bags/mask/suits/p100 filters

Wethead · 01-07-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILPlumber

. It can be 10-40 years before symptoms show up. No cure. No way to get it out of you.

Are you referring to these?

ROCKSTARPLUMBER · 01-07-2009, 08:48 PM

Thats wierd, all my marlboro lights have white filters on them. DUDES, we all gotta die sometime. Im with wet, more worried about the glues and primers.

01-06-2009, 09:43 PM	#1
Matt Bourgeoisie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,126 My Photos	Asbestos, my opinion All this week I'm taking my 40 hour OSHA Asbestos Supervisor class. Before starting this course I kinda thought abatement was somewhat of a moneymaking scheme. After 2 days of lecture I have changed my viewpoint. It is some hazardous stuff. Do a Google search on The city of Libby, Montana. So, anyway. If you do come across something you think is asbestos. Don't mess with it. Call a pro. It can be 10-40 years before symptoms show up. No cure. No way to get it out of you. Please don't mess with it. You can take it home on your clothes to the family.

01-07-2009, 08:48 PM	#10
ROCKSTARPLUMBER Lighten Up! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 4,241 My Photos	Thats wierd, all my marlboro lights have white filters on them. DUDES, we all gotta die sometime. Im with wet, more worried about the glues and primers. __________________ Tallahassee Best Plumbing Company Tallahassee Tankless Water Heater Tallahassee Plumbing Services Tallahassee Trim Carpentry

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01-06-2009, 10:20 PM	#2
rocksteady Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paso Robles, Ca. Posts: 1,153 My Photos	all my asbestos knowledge is pasted together from others opinions and heresay. i always thought that repeated or long term exposure was hazardous but one time or limited was not so bad. is this not the case? say i cut an asbestos vent with a sawzall one time 5 years ago, (i didn't, let's just say i did) am i screwed? paul

01-06-2009, 10:24 PM	#3
Matt Bourgeoisie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,126 My Photos	I'm not an instructor but, I can say once you inhale fibres. They are in you forever. Are you screwed? I guess only time will tell. I just might be in the same boat you are. I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it though.

01-07-2009, 01:43 AM	#4
Wethead Retired Plumber Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 1,644 My Photos	do a google search on "second hand smoke" The funny part is that people worry about asbestos in a boiler room 2 floors down in the basement while sucking on a nice cigarette, Gasoline is also MORE dangerous if you were to drink it. You were right the first time, Its a money making scheme

01-07-2009, 07:46 PM	#7
Airgap shagadelic Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,797 My Photos	I've had my 40 hour supervisor training for 2 years now, and i am required to have a 1 hour refresher each year to keep being able to do abatements. I have a respect for it similar to working with gas, treat it with respect and know what you are doing and you'll be fine. I also do an average of 2-3 glovebags per month, but I do it out of necessity not as a moneymaking scheme, although at one time this was the case with some AB contractors in the 80's.