Asbestos Exposure
The estimated 6.5 million construction workers in the United States are most at risk to asbestos exposure and developing mesothelmeoma. An estimated 1.3 million construction workers are regularly exposed to materials containing asbestos every year; and of the approximately 1200 construction site fatalities every year, around 17% of these deaths are attributed to exposure to toxic materials, especially asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos is such a serious problem in the construction industry as it can commonly be found in many places - walls, floors, roofing insulation, pipes and types of fireproof materials. It can be found in insulating wiring, boilers and furnaces. Whenever older buildings are demolished or renovated, asbestos also has to be removed and there is a high risk of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos exposure in the construction industry is such a serious problem because asbestos is so widespread – most buildings that were constructed between 1920 and 1980 contain large amounts of hazardous asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in industrial buildings such as plants, shipyards and refineries. Many vessels in the US navy contain asbestos, which has resulted in many retired sailors being affected; a problem that will only become worse as more are diagnosed.
Asbestos use in the building industry reached a peak during the 1950s and 1960s; and during the 1970s, the government regulated its use. In 1989 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos. However, it isn’t just industrial buildings that are potentially dangerous - a surprising number of older schools and homes also contain asbestos, although generally these environments are safe as long as the asbestos isn’t tampered with.
And it isn’t just construction workers – people who are involved in the manufacture of such products as textiles or building materials are also at risk. An estimated 3,000 or so manufactured products are known to contain asbestos. Workers employed in certain areas of the automotive industry, such as clutch repair work and car brake work also tend to have a higher risk of exposure. Carpenters are also at risk as many older houses were constructed largely of wood – every time the flooring, roofing and other parts of a wooden building are renovated or demolished, the risk of exposure to asbestos is significantly increased.
If you work - or have worked - in an environment in which you might be exposed to asbestos, you do have certain rights when it comes to potential exposure. (OSHA) The Occupational and Safety Health Administration is today responsible for enforcing laws governing exposure to asbestos and ensuring that a working environment is as safe as it can possibly be.
Not all exposure to asbestos is harmful and there are levels of asbestos allowed that are considered to be safe – 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter for an eight hour work period and one fiber per cubic centimeter in any thirty minute time period. In industries in which a worker has a higher risk of coming into contact with asbestos – construction, textiles and shipbuilding, etc - employers are required by law to monitor asbestos levels to ensure the safety of employees.
There are four categories of work, depending on how much exposure to asbestos there might potentially be. These are defined as class I, II, III and IV – construction and other potentially dangerous jobs are included in class I. Employers are expected to provide daily monitoring for asbestos for workers in class I and II industries, as well as provide face masks, ventilated spaces and generally ensure a safe environment.
Asbestos affects the families of workers as well - there is a risk of secondary exposure by spouses, widows and families of those who have been exposed to asbestos. Many family members are exposed to it without their knowledge, often from dust and fibers that are carried into the home on the clothes of those exposed to it. It’s entirely possible to not realize that one has been affected by asbestos exposure until many years later, often up to 50 years.
If you do work in an environment in which asbestos may be present, you should take every precaution to protect yourself. If you have worked in such an industry, you should seek medical and legal advice.
