July 9, 2018
Occupational Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Industry:
Solution:
- Learning Management Systems
- Online Safety and Health Training Courses
- Incident Management Software
- Mobile Safety Training Apps
Asbestos: What it Is, How it's Been Used & How its Used Today
Convergence: Could you start by telling us what asbestos is, how it was used in the past, and how it is used now? Shawn: Sure thing. Asbestos is a fibrous, silicate mineral found naturally in the environment. Its use dates back to ancient times, but it became more widespread with the Industrial Revolution. Lauded for its strength and fire resistance, asbestos was used in virtually everything, including roofing, insulation, flooring, and electrical applications.Negative Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Convergence: What are some negative health consequences of exposure to asbestos? Shawn: Asbestos exposure can be very detrimental to human health, with the most severe condition being mesothelioma, a rare, serious form of cancer directly linked to the mineral. Lung cancer and asbestosis have also been been linked to exposure. Convergence: Can you tell us in more detail exactly what leads to a hazardous asbestos exposure? Shawn: Absolutely. When asbestos-containing materials (known as ACMs) become disturbed, whether through natural aging, abrasion, or renovation, they are liable to easily break and release fragments into the air. This asbestos-containing particulate matter may not even be visible to the naked eye! These particles can become lodged in the linings of organs when inhaled,, where they can stimulate cancer growth.Asbestos in Occupational Settings
Convergence: In a manufacturing setting, how can one identify asbestos? Shawn: Workers are often aware of the products they’re working with. Asbestos is still currently used in brake pads and other automotive parts, as well as corrugated sheeting. The real danger of asbestos occurs when the material becomes worn out and susceptible to fragmentation. Corporations using the material will often utilize engineering controls and other means of safety implementations to maximize OSHA compliance and promote a healthy work site.Note: The word "friable" is often used to describe asbestos that's become "worn out and susceptible to fragmentation" as Shawn explained above.
Tip: This MAAC web page has even more detailed information on occupational asbestos exposure. They list the following as high-risk occupational for asbestos exposure:
- Construction workers
- Shipyard workers
- Mechanics
- Plant workers
- Firefighters
What To Do If You Suspect the Presence of Asbestos in the Worksite
Convergence: What should someone do if he/she thinks there's asbestos in the work site? Shawn: The best way to verify the presence of asbestos is to alert a manager or supervisor, and DO NOT attempt to identify/remove the material themselves. A red flag for ACMs are generally something like debris or worn-down building materials, so those visuals on the jobsite could indicate potential for exposure. I think safety-first practices are imperative and often required on the jobsite. [optin-monster slug="tfb0ea1ze5dftije3pdk"]Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma, and the Latency Period
Convergence: How long does it take for a worker to begin suffering the negative consequences of asbestos exposure? Shawn: Mesothelioma is notorious for its latency period. Part of the battle in the initial stages of litigation for patients vs. Manufacturing/Construction companies is proving when and where the disease was contracted. Due to the disease’s latency period following exposure, the cancer won’t manifest into any symptoms until decades after. Mesothelioma was often seen primarily in middle aged, working class men, but the demographics are now expanding significantly. Convergence: Obviously, avoiding exposure is the key, but is there anything a worker can do after exposure? Shawn: It is very difficult to pinpoint when, where, and how much exposure occurs. Most mesothelioma patients develop the illness after chronic exposure, but both the EPA and OSHA have agreed that no amount of asbestos is exposure can be considered safe. It is important for workers who are in high-risk occupations to talk with their doctor and ensure that proper monitoring takes place; proper detection and monitoring is key! The best practice is adherence to normal safety procedures in an effort to reduce any exposure whatsoever.Tip: Check out the MAAC's "Treatment" page for more on this.
Conclusion: Asbestos, Asbestos Exposure on the Job, and Mesothelioma
We'd like to thank Shawn for his time and for sharing his expertise on issues related to asbestos, asbestos exposure, and mesothelioma. Shawn touched on quite a few things, including the importance of using engineering controls to improve safety when working with asbestos and monitoring/health evaluation programs for occupational safety related to asbestos. In addition to that, of course, proper safety training also plays an important role. Workers should always receive training about the location of any asbestos in their work area, how to work safely in its presence, when not to work in its presence, and how to report it to management if some is discovered. To help with that training, we offer an Online Asbestos Awareness training course--the images you've seen earlier are from that course, as is the short sample video below. So remember, work productively but always be safe! We want you back for another day. And be sure to DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ONLINE SAFETY TRAINING BUYER'S GUIDE CHECKLIST, below.Online Safety Training Buyer's Guide Checklist
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