3M has launched four new convenient respiratory and body protection kits designed to manage varying levels of exposure to asbestos fibres and dust.

“The right personal protective equipment is essential to protect your health when working with asbestos, as asbestos-related diseases are responsible for an increasing number of deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos has also been linked to other diseases including lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer,” 3M senior occupational hygienist Terry Gorman says.

Safework Australia provides guidelines to identify various asbestos work procedures or tasks and the required respirator options and filter types. With its four new kits, 3M provides a convenient respiratory solution for tasks involving asbestos.

The two new negative pressure Asbestos/Dust Respirator Kits offer a choice of either a 3M Full Face or Half Face Reusable Respirator and appropriate filters. The half face kit also includes a pair of 3M safety glasses.

3M’s positive pressure kits allow a choice between either a ready-to-use Face Mounted or Belt Mounted Full Face Respirator System. Both kits also include a 3M disposable coverall.

“People are most at risk from asbestos exposure are those carrying out maintenance, repair or refurbishment work or asbestos removal in all types of buildings, including factories built or refurbished before 1985 – for example, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and cable installers. Home renovators also have the potential to be exposed to asbestos when working on older homes.

“Friable (crumbly) asbestos should only be removed or handled by suitably trained and certified workers,” Terry says.

3M backs its safety solutions with comprehensive customer support and professional technical resources to assist with safety management, product selection and training needs.