Asbestos in Engine Room

[mja]

Anybody else have a concern about what appears to be asbestos tiles lining the engine room of trawlers?? Especially Taiwan boats. Obviously I will get it tested to find if it is inded asbestos but if it is it may be a costly matter with health consequences.

[MacG]

Asbestos is generally an overrated issue caused by media and government.
Removing it is an matter of modest difficulty - you need to avoid dust and drifting particles. Don't inhale and use a professional dustmask/inhalator. A bio coverall will do the rest. Pack the stuff in strong poly bags and clearly marked what it contains.

The problem will be the clearance, i.e. to get rid of the stuff. That might be the costly part.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, mja.

[Blue Stocking]

I am not an authority on the subject, and not qualified to give advice.
I did however, some years ago, attend an asbestos abatement course, in my capacity as a construction project manager.
My take on the subject is as MacG states. Ingested airborne fibers, (Asbestos is a geological mineral) settle on the lung surfaces, and develop into asbestosis cancer.
This was a problem when fire protection coatings were sprayed on structural steel, later removal being a severe problem.
A friend, in the re-insurance claim business, told me the most common work class group, were the mechanics who did brake jobs, blowing the dust out of the hubs, and inhaling it.

[boatman61]

In the early 70's I was one of the guys on a 6mth contract to strip Jaguar, Browns Lane, Coventry of all the asbestos in the factory... no protection.. mask or anything else...
Since then I've ground hulls and antifoul and various other occupations that would have most here cringing in horror...
40yrs later and 40 fags a days still baffle the doc's with the state of my lungs... still freedive and hold my breath for over a minute... only in warm water though... won't get in if its cold...
If your genetically vulnerable your screwed mask or not...
My theory is that as I'm bronchial from birth I'm forever coughing, blowing and snorting my lungs clean... or it could be...
I'm just plain Lucky...

[MacG]

Keep it at the last line ........ the danger is only there if it is a continuous habit to strip factories from asbestos linings and panels ......

[roverhi]

As others have said, the danger is breathing asbestos dust. The microscopic fibers look like concertina wire trailing fish hooks and probably causer cancer through irritation. If you apply a surface barrier like paint and otherwise don't break it down into a powder, asbestos is harmless. If the movement of the boat isn't causing the asbestos to break down, I'd thouroughly coat it with a thick layer of paint and leave it.

For most people, long term exposure to asbestos dust exascerbated by smoking is needed to develop into cancer. I have heard that smoking is the real catalyst in whether exposure develops into disease. Of course, there are the lucky few who have problems with even limited exposure. Then people get lung cancer who have never smoked a cigarette in their lives.

[Cheechako]

You talking about those white tiles with the little holes in them, typically used in Taiwan built boats? I never worried about it. Unless they are coming apart you should get no exposure any more than a popcorn house ceiling that is intact. (and there are alt of those still out there) I think for the occassional exposure it's not an issue. I once stripped a popcorn ceiling off a couple rooms, then someone told me it might be asbestos. SUre enough it was, and I had not worn a mask. I called the local EPA asking what to do, they said to wipe ll all exposed surfaces with a damp rag, throw the rags and stripped popcorn in a heavy black plastic bag. wet it slightly and send it to the dump. If concerned, coat it with sound deadening paint.

[MacG]

Fully correct. Smoking is the accelerator of many diseases. But that is another subject.

[senormechanico]

Maybe it's time to convince wifey that you need a newer bigger boat (for her safety of course) !

[bobconnie]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Maybe it's time to convince wifey that you need a newer bigger boat (for her safety of course) !

Now heres a man after my own heart !! Good thinking !! Bob and Connie

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by boatman61

40yrs later and 40 fags a days still baffle the doc's with the state of my lungs... still freedive and hold my breath for over a minute... only in warm water though... won't get in if its cold...
If your genetically vulnerable your screwed mask or not...
My theory is that as I'm bronchial from birth I'm forever coughing, blowing and snorting my lungs clean... or it could be...
I'm just plain Lucky...

I resemble that remark...
show me some dust, i will show you some mucus...
large lean on he lucky!

[Waterwayguy]

Those tiles are not asbestos. They are made from fiberboard and are the same as most ceiling tiles you can still buy at Home Depot. Chuck