Indoor Health Hazards: Case Study on Asbestos RisksJuly 26, 2017Hazard Data, Home BuildingBy: Vivian NguyenShare: TwitterFacebookLinkedInEmailThis post is about the application of indoor health hazard data to a series of case studies on four different indoor health risks. Today, we feature an indoor health hazard case study on asbestos risks.Make sure to read the entire series of case studies:Prior post:Lead-based paint Next Posts:Aluminum electrical wiringHazardous building materialsSummary for property-level riskIndoor Health Hazard Case Study on Asbestos RisksAsbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral and there are various types, each with unique chemical properties:chrysotile (white asbestos)amosite (brown asbestos)crocidolite (blue asbestos)anthophyllitetremoliteactinoliteDepending on the length of exposure, and if inhalation happens through either direct or indirect exposure, it may lead to serious health issues including:lung cancermesothelioma (cancer of the chest, heart, and or abdomen)asbestosisThe material has been used in an array of products from shipbuilding to car parts to residential building materials, such as:acoustic ceilingsinsulationvinyl floor tilesroofinga variety of fire-resistant surfacesAsbestos Health Risks to Residential OccupantsThe material becomes a health risk to residential occupants when disturbed mostly by demolition and or remolding. The use of asbestos is very strict and multiple regulatory bans have been enacted over the years. However, as it pertains to residential structures, the EPA banned asbestos-containing insulation and fireproofing materials in 1973 and ceiling treatment asbestos-containing materials were banned by 1978. From 1999 to 2010, asbestos was responsible for over 35,000 deaths and its negative effects are expected to continue for years to come.Multi-family built before 1978 in Sioux Falls, South DakotaSpatial Query ResultsA spatial query for multi-family dwellings built before 1978 within the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota was completed using LandVision™, a powerful map-based real estate research, analysis, and collaboration tool. The query yielded 1,304 multi-family dwellings that met these criteria.Author Bio Jose A. Robles is Senior Customer Success Analyst at Digital Map Products. First and foremost, he is a customer advocate keen on finding holistic and scalable solutions. A curious and habitual observer, his fields of study include cultural anthropology, geography, disease ecology, and the application of geospatial technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He is passionate about environmental health topics and intrigued by urban landscapes. Contact Jose at jrobles@digmap.com or via LinkedIn.