Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

ABCs of asbestos cleanup

Journal Article · · Sierra; (United States)
OSTI ID:6661510
From 1945 until 1978 asbestos was used extensively in schools. Over the years some of the asbestos-containing material has worn down, becoming easily crushable, or friable. Any disturbance sends microscopic fibers into the air to be inhaled by those in the buildings. Children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of asbestos. They breathe more rapidly than adults and tend to take air in through their mouths rather than their noses, which would filter out some of the fibers. And because children are smaller, they are more likely to come in contact with asbestos gathered on the floor. According to surveys conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, some 44,000 public and private schools, 733,000 public buildings, and many homes throughout the country contain friable asbestos. Many more buildings contain nonfriable asbestos that may deteriorate in the future.
OSTI ID:
6661510
Journal Information:
Sierra; (United States), Journal Name: Sierra; (United States) Vol. 73:5; ISSN SIERE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English