We would like to advise anyone who does not have common sense enough to know that when you are entering buildings that are “abandoned” to wear a respirators . Also please know that if the building appears to be “abandon” someone owns it somewhere, so you are trespassing, breaking the law. So if you have the desire to trespass make sure you and your team have respirators.
“Asbestos-Related Health Risks
Asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis, or mesothelioma later in life. Ovarian cancer, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are sometimes linked to asbestos.”
“Damage and deterioration will increase the friability of asbestos-containing materials.” This means when building are falling apart the deterioration causing the particles of asbestos to float in the air which then is inhaled.
Read more: www.ehow.com/facts_6146779_safety-masks-asbestos-mold.html#ixzz2K02WBC4Q
“Mold-Related Health Risks
Certain forms of mold can lead to minor ailments such as allergies, or very dangerous health issues such as neurological problems or compromised immune systems.”
Read more: ehs.okstate.edu/MODULES/Asbestos/asbharm.htm
Contaminants of Concern:
“Building materials, such as asbestos insulation, asbestos floor and ceiling tile and lead-based paint.
Biological hazards, such as mold or animal feces.
Hazardous waste, oil, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or chemicals such as mercury and acids may be present in abandoned commercial or industrial buildings.”
Read more: www4.nau.edu/itep/waste/HazSubMap/twrap_HzSubMap_AbanBldgs.asp
Abandoned Mines and Quarries
“The dangers inside an abandoned mine can be life-threatening, and experts say entering one is quite literally suicidal. Dangers:
Old mines may contain radon, radioactive material or abandoned explosives”
It's bad enough that there are people out there that are so determined to get attention that they risk their lives by going into dangerous buildings...but now we have ones bragging about going into abandoned mines. Sad way to get attention, is notoriety worth it?
There are very real dangers of entering these mines and trying to investigate them which can be found in the PDF article linked below. Way too many teams are happy to post themselves entering "dangerous territory" without bothering to post the very REAL information that shows the dangers.
The ghost hunting shows on television have people wanting to get into buildings that are dangerous...and now we have a show about a gold mine that will likely have many 'close calls' to make people gasp...and keep them tuning in. The sad part is, they won't stop at just watching it on television..they will want to live it themselves. And teams who promote this behavior are just contributing to the problem."
Is it going to take someone dropping dead before anyone steps up and says this is bullshit?
The following information was found at: wasg.iinet.net.au/Co2paper.html
“Caves often contain elevated levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), consequently cavers may be putting themselves at risk without really knowing the full potential danger.”
“As each person’s body has a slightly different reaction and tolerance to stressful situations the following symptoms are general, however nobody is immune to the dangers of CO2.”
"Generally accepted physiological effects of CO2 at various concentrations by volume"
0.03%
Nothing happens as this is the normal carbon dioxide concentration in air.
0.5%
Lung ventilation increases by 5 percent. This is the maximum safe working level recommended for an 8 hour working day in industry (Australian Standard).
1.0%
Symptoms may begin to occur, such as feeling hot and clammy, lack of attention to details, fatigue, anxiety, clumsiness and loss of energy, which is commonly first noticed as a weakness in the knees (jelly legs).
2.0%
Lung ventilation increases by 50 percent, headache after several hours exposure.
Accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body after prolonged breathing of air containing around 2% or greater will disturb body function by causing the tissue fluids to become too acidic. This will result in loss of energy and feeling run-down even after leaving the cave. It may take the person up to several days in a good environment for the body metabolism to return to normal.
3.0%
Lung ventilation increases by 100 percent, panting after exertion, Symptoms may include:- headaches, dizziness and possible vision disturbance such as speckled stars.
5 - 10%
Violent panting and fatigue to the point of exhaustion merely from respiration & severe headache. Prolonged exposure at 5% could result in irreversible effects to health. Prolonged exposure at > 6% could result in unconsciousness and death.
10 - 15%
Intolerable panting, severe headaches and rapid exhaustion. Exposure for a few minutes will result in unconsciousness and suffocation without warning.
25% to 30%
Extremely high concentrations will cause coma and convulsions within one minute of exposure. Certain Death.
Gases like sulfur dioxide, ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide and others can be found in small unventilated caves. As mentioned in this story: news.softpedia.com/news/Six-People-Killed-by-Cave-Gases-in-Canary-Islands-46864.shtml