Asbestos ESAMS Flashcards

Asbestos Key Facts

• Trachea is also known as the windpipe, allowing air to flow to the lungs.
• Russia is the largest producer of asbestos worldwide.
• Canada serves as the largest asbestos provider to the United States.
• Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting lung and abdominal cavity linings, resulting from asbestos exposure.
• Crocidolite is commonly referred to as blue asbestos, known for its high heat resistance.
• Smaller diameter asbestos fibers can take up to 80 hours to settle in the air.
• About half of the deaths from past asbestos exposure are attributed to lung cancer.
• Asbestos use in thermal, surfacing, and fireproofing materials was banned in 1973.
• The colon is not part of the respiratory system, which includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
• A material must contain at least 1% asbestos to be classified as an Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).
• Re-entrainment occurs from activities like sweeping or unfiltered vacuuming, causing asbestos fibers to become airborne again.
• The primary use of asbestos in construction is to strengthen concrete structures.
• Non-friable asbestos materials are tightly bound, reducing the likelihood of fiber release during normal use.
• Chapter 17 of OPNAVINST 5100.23 addresses asbestos regulations and safety.
• Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by scarring due to inhalation of asbestos fibers.
• The low cost of asbestos is because it requires minimal refining before use in manufacturing processes.
• Spray insulation is noted for its high friability, making it easier for asbestos fibers to become airborne.
• Asbestos fibers can persist in the environment for a very long time, often described as practically indestructible.
• A smoker who also works with asbestos is 90 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to non-exposed non-smokers.
• Cilia are hairlike structures on airway cells that help trap and expel particulates, including asbestos fibers.