Q & A:

Compiled by the 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

Cannon leadership will meet with military housing residents from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at The Landing for an InfoFair. The following questions and answers are provided about asbestos.

Q:What is asbestos?

Answer: Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals used for thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability.

Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBMs) describes a construction product or material that contains asbestos. Some building materials used today contain asbestos.

Asbestos is either “non-friable” or “friable.” Non-friable asbestos is encased and does not become airborne. Non-friable asbestos in asbestos-cement shingles, roofing and board is considered safe. If non-friable ACBMs remain undisturbed, there is no known hazard.

Friable asbestos ACBM can be easily crumbled or crushed into powder. Hazardous asbestos fibers can be released, sent airborne and potentially cause lung disease.

Q:What are the risks to pets from asbestos?

Answer: Pets, most notably dogs, are susceptible to the harmful effects of asbestos in ways similar to humans. Pets can bring asbestos into the home on their fur or feet if they spend time in places that have high levels of asbestos in the soil. Concerned pet owners should consult their veterinarian for additional information.

Q:How was asbestos used in Military Family Housing (MFH)?

Answer: In some units, ACBM was used during construction and may be found in joint compound, drywall, mastic, floor tile, roof shingles, and some blown-on ceiling textures.

Q:What are the potential health risks associated with exposure to asbestos?

Answer: Exposure to airborne friable asbestos presents a potential health risk due to breathing air containing asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lungs. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Occupational exposures account for the overwhelming majority of these asbestos-related conditions due to the relative amount and duration of exposure.

Q:What is the risk to people who live or work in MFH?

Answer: The risk appears to be low. Health risks are negligible to non-existent if ACBMs are undamaged and undisturbed. To minimize potential exposure and health risks from asbestos MFH residents should not:

— Drill into the walls or ceilings;

— Sand, cut or scrape walls, ceilings, floor tiles/adhesive;

— Install light fixtures, ceiling fans, cabinets, etc., into walls or ceilings without prior 27th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Office approval;

— Perform any maintenance or self-help work that could disturb identified areas that could possibly contain asbestos.

Engineering-Environmental Management, Inc, an independent contractor, is conducting extensive air, dust and bulk sampling/analysis for asbestos in Cannon Military Family Housing. The 27th Medical Group is simultaneously conducting a comprehensive health risk assessment (HRA). Complete sampling and the HRA results and report are expected to be available in June.

Q:How do I find out if my house has asbestos-containing material?

Answer: The base is doing a comprehensive sampling of MFH to determine the extent that ACBM is found in MFH. In the meantime. people should avoid performing any handiwork such as drilling in walls or ceilings to avoid potentially breaking down the material prematurely and causing it to become airborne.

Q:Are the levels of asbestos exposure in MFH unsafe?

Answer: At this time, we are not aware of any housing units that have unsafe asbestos exposure levels. The base is doing a comprehensive sampling of MFH to determine the extent that ACBM is found in MFH. The results of the sampling analysis and the Health Risk Assessment will not be finalized until summer of 2007 and will be made public at that time.

Until the results are in, people are asked to avoid performing any handiwork, such as drilling in walls or ceilings to avoid potentially breaking down the material prematurely and causing it to become airborne.

Q: If my house test shows excessive asbestos exposure level, will the government move me and my family to a new house?

Answer: It is too early in the process to answer this question at this time. Once we receive the test results from the comprehensive sampling, we will be able to determine what risks (if any) are involved, mitigation measures, and make a determination if moves will be recommended. If moves from MFH are recommended, they would be at government expense.

Q:Will we have to move into another base house or can we move downtown?

Answer: If moves are recommended, affected occupants will have the option to move into the local community or into another MFH unit.

Q:I was a contractor/government employee who worked in the homes that had asbestos contamination without being informed about the possibility of contamination. Will the government cover any future medical expenses that result from my exposure to asbestos?

Answer: For information on filing a claim against the government, call the base legal office at 784-2211.

Q:Will the government pay for a current health screening to determine my exposure level?

Answer: For active duty members and dependents, if you believe you are experiencing medical problems, see your PCM. Government employees and contractors should call the base legal office at 784-2211 for information on filing a claim against the government.

Q:We are no longer in the military, but did live in base housing. How can we find out which houses were contaminated?

Answer: At this time, we are not aware of any housing units that have unsafe asbestos exposure levels. The base is doing a comprehensive sampling of MFH to determine the extent that ACBM is found.

Q:Will the government cover any future medical expenses that result from my exposure to asbestos?

Answer: For information on filing a claim against the government, call the base legal office at 784-2211.

Q:If the plan is to renovate, how long will it take before the homes are safe to live in again?

Answer: The houses that contain ACBM are located in areas scheduled for whole house renovations or demolition under the current draft privatization plan. Asbestos abatement in older construction is common in the housing manufacturing process.

Q:Why has it taken this long to officially notify the public?

Answer: We are notifying the public now because of the requirement to do so as a result of an update to AFI 32-6001 dated August 2006 that requires we notify any member, employee, or contractor who may be potentially exposed to asbestos containing materials, radon, mold, or lead based paint. While positive test results have been made from asbestos containing materials in MFH units, we have no data that indicates current or past residents were exposed to ACM at unsafe levels.

Cannon leadership will meet with military housing residents from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at The Landing to answer questions and address concerns.

For more information, see the following:

— the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site http://www.epa.gov/Asbestos/pubs/help.htm;

— the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) Web site http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/Asbestos;

— the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Web site http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/Asbestos.