"Many people don't really want to know" - ELECTROSTAR/starmix and ASUP warn against asbestos
Danger to life from asbestos in buildings
Stuttgart/Ebersbach, July 15, 2024 –
Currently, around 35 million tons of asbestos-containing materials are still used in buildings. Many amateurs as well as professional craftsmen and women unknowingly expose themselves to great health risks. Florenz Stetter, Head of Product Management at ELECTROSTAR/starmix, and Leonid Brose, Managing Director of ASUP GmbH, warn of the dangers of asbestos and explain the necessary protective measures.
Caption: Leonid Brose, Managing Director of ASUP GmbH. Source: ASUP GmbH
"Experience from my work shows that both professionals and laypeople often perceive asbestos as a problem of the past. Yet it is an acute danger that is often taken lightly," says Leonid Brose. Ignorance and trivialization are common aspects in dealing with asbestos: "Unfortunately, every argument is represented, from 'Once is not a time' to 'It didn't hurt my grandpa either'," says Brose. He also sees a lack of awareness of asbestos at the level of professional trade companies. They often deliberately turn a blind eye: "Smaller companies in particular often run into the problem that they would lose the contract to specialist companies if asbestos is found. That's why many don't want to know for sure," says Brose.
Certified asbestos dust extractors: a must for safety
Private individuals are generally permitted to work on products containing asbestos if all legal requirements and specifications are met. It is better to have the work carried out by a specialist company whose employees must have the so-called asbestos certificate, a certificate of competence for handling the hazardous substance. There are also regulations regarding the equipment used. Florenz Stetter: "Building dust containing asbestos must never be removed with normal industrial vacuum cleaners or even household vacuum cleaners. Certified asbestos vacuum cleaners with special safety devices are required for this." If uninformed hobby craftsmen work on asbestos and pick up the resulting dust with conventional domestic vacuum cleaners, this only makes the situation worse: "A normal vacuum cleaner or even an industrial vacuum cleaner without certification does not trap the extremely small and respirable asbestos fibers. Worse still, the exhaust air from the vacuum cleaner only spreads the fibers even further into the room air. Therefore, if asbestos is suspected, a specialist company should definitely be called in," says Stetter.
Raising awareness and protective measures are crucial
The danger from asbestos is real and acute. It is of the utmost importance that both amateurs and professionals are aware of the risks and act accordingly. Here are some recommendations:
1. education and sensitization: Inform yourself comprehensively about the dangers of asbestos and sensitize your environment.
2. commission specialist companies: Always consult a certified specialist company if asbestos is suspected or if you are working on materials containing asbestos.
3. use certified devices: Only use certified asbestos vacuum cleaners for the removal of asbestos-containing dust.
Picture: Florenz Stetter, Head of Product Management at ELECTROSTAR/starmix.
Source: ELECTROSTAR GmbH
More information:
Recognize asbestos, take measures, dispose of asbestos
About ELECTROSTAR GmbH/starmix – a piece of German industrial history that is being continued with great success in the 21st century. The industrious Swabians invented the warm-air hand dryer and achieved world renown with the starmix food processor. Today, ELECTROSTAR GmbH, which has been part of the Algo Group since 2007, stands for innovative technologies, outstanding quality and uncompromising customer orientation. The company sells a wide range of powerful vacuum cleaners for trade, commerce and industry, modern warm air and high-speed hand and hair dryers and has an extensive hospitality product range. Since the acquisition of Haaga Kehrsysteme GmbH in 2012, the product range has also included innovative sweepers. ELECTROSTAR/starmix and Haaga Kehrsysteme merged in 2020. In 2021, the merger with PRODUCTEERS took place under the ELECTROSTAR umbrella. The group of companies employs around 300 people at its sites in Ebersbach and Shanghai and achieved a consolidated turnover of around 69 million euros in 2022.
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Isabelle Hübner echolot pr GmbH & Co. KG Fon: 0160 6192247 huebner@echolot-pr.de www.echolot-pr.de | |
Fr. Gwendi Harer Electrostar GmbH Hans-Zinser Str. 1-3 73061 Ebersbach Fon: +49 7163 9988-011 gwendi.harer@starmix.de www.starmix.de |