ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Big Mistake

AR, quitting smoking as discussed in another thread is still one of my 'top five challenges' that I've faced and conquered and it can take a while before the time is right and the person is ready to quit.

Also, there are a lot of opinions and experiences here to help give a range of reactions and offer a fairly wide spectrum of data to mull over. I'd say that for the sheer numbers of people exposed to asbestos (or the number of exposures over time) compared to the number of people who contracted a condition, your odds of having a negative impact from this are pretty low. Your odds of learning a lesson are pretty high and that'll serve you well in a lot of ways.

Hello all; I have a few things to toss in this thread, as to the Asbestos issues and also the quit smoking Cigarettes situation.

First the Asbestos issue:

I have personally been exposed to airborne (white) Asbestos in the >22 years of my "full-time" career. Unsure to the extents of exposure prior to this time period, as I worked weekends and holidays with my Father as far back as the 3rd grade of Elementry School.
Only had "mild" exposure to airborne fibres, but nonetheless it was exposure.

Currently (actually began back in 1990 or so as part of "Right To Know" information), Asbestos reports are now part of the "Norm" for the remodel / T.I. projects I deal with + design.
If the report is not complete, or is not available, the areas in the scope of work get tested by an appropriately qualified firm.
If the tests turn up "hot" - meaning Asbestos was found in things like the Drywall, the Drywall's Joint Compound, in Plaster (interior or exterior), in Floor Tiles, in Ceiling tiles, within any mastic or vent pipes, the Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) plus the type of Asbestos and the location(s) are documented. A report is issued pertaining to this data.

If the scope of work requires these ACMs to be altered (moved, cut, drilled, etc.), the ACMs will be controlled or possibly completely removed via an Abatement process.

I just wish these Asbestos Surveys were always available, because I really do not like the thought of exposing someone else to the airborne Asbestos as part of my normal work - as I also was unaware at the time of the liabilities and issues of Asbestos.
It's OK for me to harm myself - but when it comes to the possible harm of anyone else, this is where I draw the line!
Like I said, I had no idea of the possible problems at the time. It was only by 1990 that I became fully aware of all the legal issues, plus the many ACMs that were normally dealt with by myself.
That was when the guilt hit me hard!
Come to find out (through hardcore searching!) that no one had been effected by my ignorance of the ACMs.
Thank God for that!!!

OK, with this in mind, here are some "Exceptions" to the Asbestos deals:

<OL TYPE=A>


[*] It takes about 14 Years for the effects to become apparent,


[*] Most of the cases are from repeated long time exposure to airborne fibres,


[*] Some people are effected, others aren't,


[*] Smog that we all breathe in daily is also a Cancer consern, and this is definitely a long time repeat exposure,


[*] Some of the testing firms plus the Abatement Companies will over play the risks of Asbestos - either from Ignorance of the Scientific / documented studies, from personal Biasness, from personal Arrogance, or simply as a "Marketing Tool" to close a sale.
</OL>

Don't get me wrong here - I know it's a real hazard, just also know from personal experiences (after learning a little about the issues) that some Test Technicians are talking out there butts at times.
When I hear a tech say "You Just Have To Sit Next To Asbestos for A Few Minutes, And You're Affected - Even Though It Is not Airborne", then I have to go into "De-Bunk Mode"!

My fields are all in the commercial / Industrial classifications - from the Design / Engineer / Consulting side, through to the Installations performed + Supervision of Installations and Management of said Projects.
This makes for the need of complete and current Asbestos Survey Reports to be available to any and all persons involved with the project.
This includes the Construction Staff, and the Client's Staff (the people working at the Building).
The Tenant (Client) is the holder of the Asbestos Survey Reports - which are distributed via the FIA and Right-To-Know for workplace policy. The Building Owner / Prop. Mgment firm is responsible for the documents and testing, and is to distribute the survey reports to all Tenants of the site.

Downfall for Residential Based work is there is no requirement for the homeowner to provide or obtain documentation for Asbestos, unless the property is being sold (I think?).
I am so unfamiliar with the whole Residential Service / Remodel field, so really am not sure what's required.

As I mentioned, some people are effected, others aren't.
Case in point; My Father, along with a close Friend and GC we worked with for many years, had been exposed to airborne Asbestos on an astronomically large scale!
They used to "Rip" Asbestos Sheathing (exterior sheathing) with Skill saws, when they worked on Tract Housing back in the 1940's, 50's and early 60's.
They were exposed to huge amounts of flying Asbestos when they had to cut the "boards" down to size, yet neither of them have been found to have Cancer as of this day!

Sadly, their Brothers whom also did the same type of work - but Smoked heavilly - became victims of Cancer. Not sure which was the cause, but this seems to be very common from the people I talk with.

Now to get away from the Asbestos issues and to the Quitting Smoking issues!

I Smoked for about 8 Years. Never exceeded 1 pack per day (unless someone was "helping" me smoke my cigarettes! - AKA "Bumming Smokes Endlessly").
Tried to quit about 1,000 times, and found out that "To Quit Smoking Is Really Simple - I Have Done It 1,000 Times!"
The only way for me was to quit "cold-turkey" after finally realizing that I did not want to Smoke any longer.
It wasn't until then (when i finally came to terms about not wanting to Smoke) that I was successful.
There's no way to quit until you are ready to quit! No one can force you to quit, no product will make you quit.
So far, the most effective method I know of is the "Cold-Turkey" method. It worked for myself and many friends + relatives, whereas Nicotine reduction methods have yield no success (long term wise - as none of us "cold-turkey" ex-smokers have started up again, and all the reduction people are once again full time smokers).

Not sure what method works best for others, but in either case be ready for a drammatic change!
First thing is the initial withdrawl "crash". For me, this resulted in a near 48 hours of straight sleep!
After this, be ready to have the worst 'Tude in the World!
I was a major D*&Khead for close to 3 weeks!
During this period, I was the most vunerable to start up again!
I even took a hit off my Wife's Cigarette - but being that it was close to 3 weeks of non-smoking, I got the worst headrush ever, and it was some awful tasting Generic brand, which left a horrible taste in my mouth for the rest of the day.
That was February 1993 - and was the last hit off a Cigarette I ever took!
My Wife still Smokes, and I have no wish to even touch her Cigarettes!
If I can be an ex-Smoker - and remain successful for so many years, being surrounded by other Smokers + not Smoke when the rare occasions of getting drunk come up, then ANYONE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL!!!

That's all for now. Hope you liked the story - regardless of all the spelllleeeng air-errs and other type-oooo's I placed in this message!



Iye arree a tair-e-bull speallure and kannt tallhk englursh vairee gud eethire!

Scott35

In my opinion, Scott is %100 right about really wanting to quit smoking, and doing it cold turkey. I smoked one pack a day for 15 years. One evening in November of '99 while working a side job, I got so sick and tired of doing it, I finished the last cigarette in my last pack, and said "That's it, I can't take it anymore". I never cheated, never looked back. And probably the greater benefit of quitting, other than my health, was my kids came around me to talk more often.

Russ, everyone here is offering you very sound advise in my opinion. I don't think you have a thing to worry about.

... A VERY heartfelt THANK YOU to all who replied here...I really and truly appreciate it..This is really a great community of caring,hard-working people,and I'm so glad to have the chance of being a part of it..You guys are Great..really..Thanx,
Russ

Awww...

That was sweet Russ......really !

I can feel the love in this post...


"LOVE THY NEIGHBOR...BUT DON'T GET CAUGHT"