Textured Coating Lowers Risk of Asbestos
Article Added March 10th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
Asbestos containing textured coatings pose a lower risk of harmful side effects than standard asbestos. New research confirms the idea that coating could make asbestos safer to handle.
Textured coatings (TC) pose a much lower threat during handling than previously thought, according to studies conducted on the idea. The proposal that work with textured coatings will no longer require a license is supported by the published research. Overall control of asbestos is being tightened by new draft amendments from the Health and Safety Commission, resulting in new consultation of the restrictions. A looser control limit of 0.1 fibers per 3cm for work with all asbestos is being debated in recognition of the new findings.
Most asbestos becomes hazardous by being released as a dust into the air. Textured coating takes the already minute amount of asbestos in the material and coats it in a matrix that does not allow the material to release fibers when it ages or is removed. The Health and Safety Laboratory has been commissioned by the Health and Safety Executives to carry out further research, based on the early comments received during consultation. Work with asbestos cement does not require a license, and the risk of working with textured coating has been compared to that type of work.
Article Added March 10th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
- Ron Eddins, Founding Partner
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