Asbestos Valve Insulation Jackets & ASB Weatherproof Jackets
Valve insulation jackets and ASB weatherproof jackets are types of insulation materials that are applied to joints and valves in industrial or commercial industries. The jacket helps maintain the desired internal temperature within the valve system.
Asbestos was commonly added to this material during the mid-1900s, as asbestos fibers are durable and heat-resistant.
Hazards of Valve Insulation Jackets
Valve insulation jackets are composed of sewn material that holds high-density insulation material within the jacket. The jacket is placed around equipment and may be applied to machines located indoors or outdoors. By maintaining the required valve temperature, the valve insulation jackets ensure the proper flow of materials within the machinery.
The jackets may be applied to the following industrial equipment:
- Valves
- Pipe work
- Flanges
- Boilers
- Generators
- Expansion joints
- Other temperature-sensitive equipment
Valve insulation jackets are no longer manufactured with asbestos materials but may be present in homes that were manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s. Materials that are in good condition are not considered to be a health concern.
Over time, valve insulation jackets may wear down or become friable. If the material is disturbed, it may release asbestos fibers into the air.
Asbestos fibers may be emitted into the air when a worker is performing the following duties, among others:
- Sawing
- Cutting
- Breaking
- Cutting
- Scraping
Valve insulation jackets were applied in universities, residential homes, offices and other commercial buildings. The material was often used in factories, steam pressure equipment, turbines, furnaces, boiler rooms and other equipment.
Certified asbestos abatement professionals should be contacted to remove friable asbestos materials. Professional contractors should use equipment and follow national safety standards during the removal of asbestos-containing valve insulation jackets.
Valve Insulation Jackets and Mesothelioma
Once released from damaged materials, asbestos fibers may remain suspended in the air for several hours or days. Sweeping or cleaning up an area with fibers can emit settled fibers back into the air. People who handle or service asbestos-containing valve insulation jackets may have experienced asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and become lodged in the body. The fibers can stick in the thin membrane called the mesothelium that covers internal organs. Once in the mesothelium, the fibers cannot be expelled. Asbestos can cause prolonged inflammation of the membrane, which can lead to mesothelioma.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
