Asbestos Hazards Protection

The health threat of asbestos

Asbestos mineral fibers are non-toxic. However, when asbestos is smashed into very fine fiber particulates, people exposing in the air of asbestos fibers to touch or inhale these tiny materials, is responsible for some diseases such as asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs), and plaques, thickening and effusion in the pleura. These diseases’ incubation will take 20-40 years; and all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans that would lead to cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries, and also mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings).

WHO/Asbestos: use, bans and disease burden in Europe: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/11/13-132118/en/

Recommended requirement of PPE to protect against asbestos exposure

The UK Health and Safety Executive(HSE) issued a recommendation claims the proper PPE for workers to handle asbestos should be including: disposable coverall, disposable gloves, footwear, respiratory protective equipment, and training to use PPE and RPE properly.

HSE suggests Type 5 (EN ISO 13982-1) disposable coveralls are suitable. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be necessary. To wear the hood over the RPE straps, coverall legs over footwear to prevent dust leaking; and if the cuffs are loose, seal them with tape. Outdoor working or wet environment, workers need waterproof or taped sealed coveralls to ensure their safety.

The UK HSE/em6 asbestos essentials- personal protective equipment: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em6.pdf

To choose a proper protective clothing to keep yourself safe

Protective clothing is the crucial PPE for protecting workers from contact the fine asbestos fibers. Qualified garments provide good barriers by material, seam and design. Normally, the size of asbestos fibers are 3-20 μm. The protective clothing CE Type 5 (EN ISO 13982) inward leakage test applies the test substance, sodium chloride (Aerosol), and the particle size range is 0.06 to 2µm (0.6 average). It required the pass criteria meets 82 of 90 measurements ≤30%, and 8 of 10 coveralls total inward leakage (average) ≤ 15%; therefore, Type 5 garment can provide good protection against dry particulates hazards.

Furthermore, garments meet CE EN 1073-2, protection against radioactive particulate contamination particles, which require more restrict criteria against particulates so that garments provide higher protection level and more suitable for asbestos resistant application.

Optimal design & reinforced stitched seam

Body ergonomic design, fit the body shape and sealed the risks of particulates and liquids leakage. Also providing comfort on movement to avoid pulling rupture and burst: