Asbestos Found in Laboratory Hoods

Across the world, lab technicians and scientists use a laboratory hood to protect them from the fumes of the chemicals and compounds with which they experiment. But do theses lab technicians and scientists know that what is intended to protect may harm them instead? A laboratory hood that has been lined with asbestos poses just that question.

Today, scientists and researchers have proved beyond doubt that asbestos exposure results in deadly diseases. According to one estimate, more than 10,000 Americans die each year as the result of asbestos exposure. Many are diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer as a result of the professional hazard of working in an industry that includes use of asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma surface some 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure. This is a particularly deadly form of cancer for several reasons, the most important being that there is currently no cure for the disease. In addition, the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are non-specific in the early stages, and can resemble symptoms of much less serious viral infections. For this reason, it is generally diagnosed in the last stages and only palliative care can be offered.

Asbestos Exposure from Laboratory Hoods

Ventilated enclosures that are used to remove fumes from the building are called Laboratory Hoods. These may be ducted or non-ducted hoods; they may be detachable hoods, fixed to the ceiling or any other type or design that is custom-made to suit specific needs of an organization. The most popular is the ducted fume hood that removes the air from the room and releases it outside the building. The liner of the hood is made from transite/cement board that can contain asbestos. So long as the hood is not damaged, you are safe from the harmful effects of asbestos. But asbestos by nature is a friable material; the slightest impact releases minute particles into the air that is then inhaled by those in the room. This sets off the cycle that leads to the disease.

Laboratory Hoods Containing Asbestos Fibers

There are many types of laboratory hoods, such as:

• Full Sash hood that helps regulate airflow through manipulation of the sash
• Bypass hood provides relatively constant face velocity regardless of sash position
• Walk-in hood provides an enclosure where lab personnel can set up large and bulky equipment
• Auxiliary Air hood mixes outside air with the air in the room and reduces the amount of conditioned air to be exhausted through the hood
• Perchloric acid hood helps prevent or wash away build up of explosive perchlorate crystals in the duct work
• Radioisotope hood designed with rolled stainless steel on the inside especially for radioisotope work

After the EPA ban on using asbestos, laboratory hoods are made with steel, impact-resistant glass, and other matrerials.