Posted on October 17, 2014
This week I had the opportunity to interview Tony Rich. As a widely renowned Industrial Hygienist, Tony is an expert in his field, and has years of experience hunting asbestos accurately deeming him the nickname – “Asbestos Hunter.” Beyond just his technical talents, Tony has been a long time ADAO supporter and dear friend. He has devoted much of his time and talents as a very skilled photographer to ADAO, speaking at numerous conferences and documenting the experience. ADAO cannot thank Tony enough for his continued support for ADAO!
Linda: How long have you been hunting for asbestos?
Tony: Roughly, only about the last 20 years, which is a relatively short amount of time when compared with the very long history of asbestos devastation around the world. Ever since learning more about the vast scale asbestos has impacted societies across the globe, through my work duties in the field of industrial hygiene and from personal research on issues, I’ve been able to share information, photos, and experiences to advance asbestos awareness efforts.
Linda: As an expert, what do you do when you identify asbestos debris?
Tony: The majority of developed nations have established laws and regulations that govern how asbestos hazards are addressed, typically by regulating the activities, places, and people affected. In the United States, these laws are promulgated and enforced at multiple levels through local, state, and/or federal agencies. Response actions toward managing identified asbestos debris can vary based upon site conditions and many other factors
Generally, one initial basic approach is to assume all unknown, suspect debris as an asbestos-containing material (ACM), until proper testing can conclusively prove the absence of asbestos in the debris (essentially, “guilty until proven innocent”). Material sampling should be (in most cases must be) conducted by an experienced, accredited asbestos inspector and testing should be performed by a qualified, reputable asbestos laboratory. Specialized microscopy techniques are currently the only approved methods for identifying the presence or absence of asbestos in a bulk material.
Once asbestos debris has been positively identified, there are several important actions that asbestos professionals must follow in accordance with applicable regulatory standards. These detailed response actions often depend upon quantity and type of ACM, “friability”, and other site-specific conditions, but generally have the main objectives of preventing airborne asbestos dust, controlling contamination and minimizing exposure risk. Steps to handle asbestos debris should be (again, in most cases must be) taken by properly trained and certified asbestos personnel, and is required by law in practically all workplace situations.
In general, control procedures can vary based on the type of hazard(s) present and typically include, but not limited to: remove occupants from the impacted and adjacent area(s), isolate the asbestos debris and affected location(s), communicate with and notify appropriate site authorities and demarcate area with proper warnings, wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE), use wet-methods (where safely feasible) and commercial-grade certified “HEPA”-filtered vacuum, repair damaged ACM, monitor air quality in and around the work area, seal ACM in labeled leak-proof waste containers for proper disposal. Never dry-sweep asbestos debris.
Linda: Where is the most surprising place you’ve found asbestos?
Tony: There are so many surprising locations where asbestos was found; some odd and unusual places, as well as, some strange and weird applications of asbestos. Although, the most surprising place may actually be considered somewhat ordinary, depending on one’s perspective. In fact, I believe the “surprise-factor” is more attributable the frequency of finding friable asbestos in these particular building spaces than the place itself: air plenums.
Plenum definition: “a space, usually above a ceiling or below a floor, that can serve as a receiving chamber for air that has been heated or cooled to be distributed to inhabited areas.”
Some building designs include large air plenum systems where conditioned airflow is forced through to reach building occupants, commonly located above suspended ceiling systems, in attics, or sometimes in “tunnels”, crawlspaces, or large shafts. After inspecting many hundreds of these types of buildings and plenum spaces, I routinely find air plenums with friable debris associated with either asbestos fireproofing; asbestos HVAC duct insulations; asbestos pipe insulations/lagging; asbestos ceiling tile; asbestos fire-stop compounds; damaged asbestos plaster; troweled-on or spray-applied asbestos surfacing materials; or other types of damaged ACMs. One might wonder how long these conditions existed in the building and how many unsuspecting occupants may have been exposed to airborne asbestos over time. Does your building have an updated asbestos inspection?
But, without a doubt, if considering the most “surprising” application of asbestos of all time, a strong candidate would be when I acquired a pack of vintage Kent Micronite cigarettes and examined the filters under a microscope in the laboratory. P. Lorillard manufactured the original Kent Micronite cigarette filters with a type of amphibole asbestos called, crocidolite (a.k.a.- “blue asbestos”). It’s absolutely horrifying that such a product really exists.
Linda: What do Americans need to know about asbestos?
Tony: Unfortunately, the United States has not completely banned asbestos. Further, the US still imports hundreds of tons of asbestos annually. There’s a common misconception by many folks I’ve met who think, “…asbestos was outlawed.” The tragic truth, asbestos remains legal in many products and is still dangerous. Asbestos still claims thousands of American lives every year.
Add to this, tens of millions of tons of asbestos materials still exist in our nation’s aging buildings and infrastructure, which present a very serious, ongoing risk to the health and safety of millions of our citizens, everyday. While asbestos is a regulated substance in the US, the regulations work only when they work. Asbestos-related diseases are preventable; asbestos awareness saves lives.
Linda: What is your message for Congress?
Tony: Asbestos ban, yes we can! Stop the importation of asbestos. Maintain a leadership role in domestic and world health affairs by joining the many progressive nations in mandating a total asbestos ban. We the people and future generations of American citizens will thank you. Further, we need adequate enforcement of the existing asbestos regulations for continued protection from this known toxic carcinogen and help prevent exposures.
Linda: As a long-time Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) supporter, what makes you most proud about our work?
Tony: Unity, compassion, and dedication. Being part of an extended global family of caring professionals, daring advocates, and courageous patients, all sharing information and committed toward advancing asbestos awareness education and prevention of asbestos-related diseases. It takes daring, caring, and sharing in making a difference, all of which ADAO is richly abundant.
Linda: You are a talented photographer, what is your favorite photo?
Tony: Aw shucks, just making a photo in focus seems like much of the effort. As an amateur photographer, there is much to learn, but it is my hope that the resulting images provide an interesting visual resource for learning more about asbestos issues. I think there are a number of photos that could be considered effective or compelling in their own way, such as those portraying tiny asbestos fibers “hidden” in so many everyday materials, or images which demonstrate common problems associated with degraded ACMs, or perhaps candid photos showing the remarkable efforts of asbestos awareness advocates and valiant Meso-Warriors in action. However, it’s difficult to favor an image of a material or product containing a substance once touted as the “Magic Mineral” while knowing the very tragic consequences of its use. Maybe we can sometimes be our own worst critics, but I believe my favorite photo is yet to be taken.
Take a minute and view and share ADAO’s “Asbestos: See for Yourself” Photographic Educational Campaign with shocking photos of asbestos in products, places, and history.
On behalf of ADAO, Tony thank you for your dedication, support, and amazing photographs.
~Linda
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