Bound asbestos materials, such as most gaskets, floor coverings and cements are not generally health hazards except when worked by punching, grinding, machining or sanding or when the material is deteriorated. Of primary concern is that asbestos has the potential to become airborne through disturbance, damage or friability.
Friable asbestos is a known health hazard.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers has been demonstrated to cause asbestosis and cancer. Exposure must, therefore, be avoided even though breathing asbestos dust may not seem to produce any harmful effects. Asbestos ripout or removal operations at sea shall be limited to emergency repairs to piping or equipment. MMVF are widely used for thermal and acoustical insulation and as reinforcement materials. A number of thermal insulation products have replaced asbestos as the primary source of insulation and lagging material.