Asbestos: Every Day Jobs That Put You At Risk

by Donald Lawson

People are affected by asbestos when they breathe the micro fibers. These fibers can have long term affects to your health. There have been many cases of people coming down with Mesothelioma 20 and 30 years after being exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is not a thing of the past. It's still used in many manufacturing processes and well as in building components. The following is a list of the top occupations that are putting people at risk. If you work in one of these occupations, or have in the past, it's wise to get regular screenings.

*Any job that includes the manufacturing of asbestos, for example insulation, plumbing supplies, roofing components or other building materials.

*Mechanics are at risk due to asbestos in the brake and clutch linings.

*Tile contractors are at risk due to the dust from cutting some types of tile.

Asbestos Exposure: Risks Involved And Solutions

Kirsten Hawkins

Cause of Mesothelioma Cancers

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer, a life threatening disease. Asbestos exposure is so dangerous that even a short-term exposure or a minute exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma cancer. Only a doctor or a specialist in occupational medicine can tell you about the possibility of developing mesothelioma cancer after making queries about what kind of jobs you have worked on in the past and for how long. The doctors do this making assessment of your asbestos exposure and then evaluating your possibility of contacting asbestos related disease.
Who Are At Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
Chances of asbestos exposure are more if you have worked in companies dealing in building and insulation materials, fireproofing, cement, pipe covering, refractory materials, gaskets, floor tiles and joint compounds. Auto mechanics particularly those who repair brake or clutch are also at the risk of asbestos exposure.
When Asbestos Exposure Becomes Harmful
There is no proven test to determine whether a material contains the asbestos or not. Manufacturers do not label the materials containing asbestos. In old materials, it becomes more difficult to confirm whether it poses the risk of asbestos exposure from the manufacturer because we do not know its source. When you have no other option, it is always better and safer to assume that material contains asbestos.
Keep it in mind that asbestos fibers released in the air are responsible for asbestos exposure. Asbestos in intact condition is not a health hazard. If asbestos-containing material is friable i.e. if it crumbles easily then chances of asbestos exposure increases, particularly if it is dry and damaged. If we try to sand, saw, hammer, drill, pull apart or disturb in any other way then even non-friable material may start releasing fibers in the air.
Finding the Substitute
Government banned the use of asbestos due to increasing awareness about harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Scientists are trying to develop new materials as a substitute to asbestos. Fiberglass has emerged as most popular substitute to asbestos. However, fiberglass also is not completely safe material. Exposure to airborne fiberglass or even direct contact with fiberglass may result into irritation of skin, eyes, nose and throat. Inhalation of fiberglass may lead to bronchitis. It may cause permanent damage to lungs and airways ultimately resulting in lung cancer. Nevertheless, experts still feel that fiberglass is far better than asbestos.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

*Oil refinery workers, rail yard and power plant workers can be at risk from various sources.

*Shipyard and/or ship builders are at risk due to the asbestos in pipe insulation and other sources.

*Steel mill workers can come into contact with Asbestos from a variety of insulation and clothing. Asbestos is a great insulator and is used widely in jobs that require a person to be around high temperatures.

*Navy veterans can also be at risk as can Maritime workers.

*Construction workers can be at risk, especially those who do demolition of older buildings.

Who else should be concerned?

Brick layers, plumbers, sand blasters, sheet metal workers, millwrights, welders, painters, Longshoremen, merchant marines, grinders, electricians, drywall contractors, miners, drillers, building inspectors and maintenance personnel are a few more people who are at risk.

Remember, it doesn't take a lot of exposure to affect your life years down the road.

You may also be putting your family at risk. There have been cases where workers family members came down with Mesothelioma even though they were nowhere near the job sites. Evidence suggests that the family members were affected by the Asbestos fibers that came in on the workers clothing, hair and/or shoes.

Get routine screenings if you're in one of these high-risk professions and take every precaution (such as respirators and special clothing) to protect yourself and your family.

This article is not intended to be medical advice. It's for informational purposes only and you should see a qualified medical doctor should you have concerns about your health.

About the author:

Donald Lawson is a Houston based webmaster and researches and writes articles about current issues facing the public. You can find out more about Asbestos and Cancer by visiting Mesothelioma- Information-Help.com

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