Asbestos Pipe Insulation Question

[George P. Wells, CMI]

Originally Posted by David Duchenne

I have a question about asbestos pipe insulation.

When I was younger, (11-12 years of age), I used to rest my bicycle's handlebar against the asbestos pipe insulation. I noticed that this caused a 4inch by 2inch swath of asbestos pipe insulation to remain hanging.

I am now 20 years old. I now know the dangers of asbestos exposure. Being that this is friable, I never touched it, cut it, ground it, etc. The wear and tear from keeping my bike's handlebar caused the asbestos pipe insulation to be exposed.

Question:

If it remains hanging and has for at least 9 years, are the asbestos fibers still being released into the air or is it that each time you disturb the friable asbestos fibers are released into the air.

While you can't visibly see the fibers, isn't exposure accompanied by observing dust in the air or some dust on the floor. I saw nothing of that ever.


Please provide any serious answers that you can. I graciously appreciate your health.

David,

I am not an expert but I have a basic working knowledge of asbestos and its hazards. I used to be an engineer for Johns-Manville . There are two basic ways of dealing with asbestos. One is to remove it and the other is to encapsulate it. Professional removal of even a small amount can be expsensive. It would probably make more sense for you to encapsulate it.