2. Roofing   cement  is  a  petroleum-based  product with asphalt binders and primers mixed in, and it is NOT environmentally  friendly.  Disposal  of  these  products are “nightmares” to our supply system and our landfills. 3.  C u r i n g    c o m p o u n d s   consist   of   waxes, chlorinated rubber, resins, and highly volatile solvents. However,  these  are  water-  based  curing  compounds  that are environmentally friendly. 4. Oil-based  paints consist mainly of a drying oil (usually linseed), and they are mixed with one or more pigments (unsoluble solids). The disposal of oil-based paints is also a “nightmare to the supply system and our landfills. These  construction  products  are  also  covered  in the   NAVFAC   MO   110,   Paints   and   Protective Coatings. Asbestos Another   air   pollutant   that   you   must   be knowledgeable  of  and  concerned  with  is   asbestos dust. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that can be woven like wool. Through a variety of processes, asbestos can be   turned   into   thousands   of   construction   products. These products were used extensively from the 1930s through  the  1960s.  Asbestos,  used  by  mankind  for over  2,500  years,  was  found  to  be  a  health  hazard  in the early 1900s. Then,   only   miners   and   workers   in   industrial manufacturing  plants  were  believed  to  be  affected  by asbestos.   However,   as   research   continued,   asbestos was  discovered  to  be  the  main  cause  of  asbestosis,  a generic   term   for   a   wide   range   of   asbestos-related disorders   and   mesothelioma.   Mesothelioma,   at   one time,  was  a  rare  form  of  lung  cancer.  Now  it  occurs much   more   frequently   among   people   exposed   to asbestos  dust  particles. The   three   terms   associated   with   asbestos   dust particle  length  that  you  need  to  know  are  micron, nanometer, and angstrom. To give you an idea of their size,  realize  that  in  1  meter,  there  are  1  million microns,   1   billion   nanometers,   and   10   billion angstroms.  Within  this  size  range,  air  that  appears  to be dust-free can contain millions of disease-producing asbestos  particles.  These  minuscule  asbestos  particles have   led   to   many   laws,   regulations,   and   clean-up problems.   These   invisible   particles   can   remain suspended in the air for months. To solve this problem, you must take air samples to ascertain the severity of the  situation.  To  remove  these  particles,  the  air  must be   scrubbed   with   a   special   air   filtration   machine, called a High Efficient Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered vacuum. This vacuum will filter out 99.97 percent of asbestos particles from the air. Normally,  asbestos  removal  is  not  conducted by   NCF   personnel.   See   COMSECONDNCB/ COMTHIRDNCBINST   5100.1   (series)   for   detailed guidance  on  NCF  asbestos  policy  and  procedures. However,  if  you  are  stationed  at  an  overseas  Public Works Department (PWD), you might have to “abate” (contain  or  dispose  of)  this  fibrous  material.  To remove  asbestos,  you  must  be  qualified  through  the National   Asbestos   Training   Center   (NATC)   or equivalent   agencies.   OPNAVINST   5100.23   (series) covers asbestos very thoroughly, or you may refer to the  Department  of  Labor  (DOL)  or  CFR  1910.1001 and  1926.58  for  control  of  asbestos  exposure.  For many years, asbestos was used for the following types of applications: Roofing, siding, and flooring products Friction  products,  that  is,  brakes  and  clutch facings Reinforcing materials in cement pipe, concrete asbestos board (CAB), lagging, and thickening agents used in some paints Thermal and acoustical insulation In all cases, you must constantly research the laws governing  asbestos.  If  you  continually  work  with  or around asbestos, stay informed of current regulations and  laws  regulating  the  use  of  it.  Asbestos  laws  are constantly changing and being updated. At the present time,  legislation  is  proposed  to  outlaw  all  forms  and uses of asbestos. When you doubt whether you’ve had contact with asbestos, consult your safety office. This chapter provides various, but limited insight about  PRCPs,  construction  administration,  training, safety  and  environmental  pollution.  This  information given you and the references listed are what you need to study to advance, hone your skills, and to become an “outstanding” Seabee. 1-28