Are all asbestos-containing materials a health risk?
No. A health risk only exists when asbestos fibers are released from a product or material and are present in the air for people to breathe. Soft, easily crumbled materials have the greatest potential for fiber release and therefore the greatest potential to create health risks. Q: Do all people exposed to asbestos develop asbestos-related disease? A: No. Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos do not develop any health-related problems. Health studies of asbestos workers show however, that the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the risk of developing asbestos-related disease. Q: How can exposure to asbestos be prevented? A. Asbestos exposure can be prevented by maintaining materials in intact and sealed condition. When asbestos must be disturbed, as in renovation and repair operations, a combination of engineering controls (containment and ventilation) and dust suppression methods (wetting and other work practices) can prevent exposure to building occupants and min
