Asbestos has been used in the construction, automobile and shipbuilding industries because of the properties of the naturally-occurring fiber. With a higher than average tensile strength and high heat resistance, this was a perfect fiber in many ways. However, in 1989 the importation, manufacturing, distribution and processing of the fiber was banned due to significant adverse health effects related to inhalation of this once popular additive. The US environmental agency issue a ban on the product due to this discovery. However, there are still jobs where exposure to asbestos is common long after the ban.
Even with the ban and ultimate phasing out of the hazardous material, exposure is common-place in a number of professions. Construction, drywall repair, drywall removal, emergency response, demolition and shipbuilding are all professions were exposure is commonplace and measures have to be taken to protect the worker. Demolition is where the greatest threat of exposure can occur since fibers escape into the atmosphere rapidly.
Firefighters who enter structures built with the dangerous material are at risk. There are exposure thresholds that must not be exceeded as per the agency governing occupational health and safety.
Personal protection equipment or PPE must be worn at all times to avoid the inhalation of fibers while working in conditions when exposure is a potential. PPE can consist of respirators, masks, helmets, gloves and coveralls.
Auto mechanics who work on cars with brakes containing the heat-resistant material are at risk. While it has been banned in the manufacturing of brakes, it is essential that protective equipment be used with older automobiles that may still have those brakes installed. Interestingly, since brakes are no longer made with the high strength fiber, they wear out quicker and have to be replaced more often.
Emergency responders during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center were most likely exposed since the North Tower construction materials contained the material. Immediately following the collapse of the towers, a significant amount of fibers were released. The police personnel, volunteers and scores of firefighters have had numerous complications since that time.
Jobs where exposure to asbestos is common have decreased since the ban. Construction trades, demolition workers and remediation experts still must be trained as to how to handle the material once it is discovered. Even with the ban, lawyers continue to pursue numerous claims against manufacturers and the government over people who have developed illnesses after being exposed over the course of their jobs or military service.
Even with the ban and ultimate phasing out of the hazardous material, exposure is common-place in a number of professions. Construction, drywall repair, drywall removal, emergency response, demolition and shipbuilding are all professions were exposure is commonplace and measures have to be taken to protect the worker. Demolition is where the greatest threat of exposure can occur since fibers escape into the atmosphere rapidly.
Firefighters who enter structures built with the dangerous material are at risk. There are exposure thresholds that must not be exceeded as per the agency governing occupational health and safety.
Personal protection equipment or PPE must be worn at all times to avoid the inhalation of fibers while working in conditions when exposure is a potential. PPE can consist of respirators, masks, helmets, gloves and coveralls.
Auto mechanics who work on cars with brakes containing the heat-resistant material are at risk. While it has been banned in the manufacturing of brakes, it is essential that protective equipment be used with older automobiles that may still have those brakes installed. Interestingly, since brakes are no longer made with the high strength fiber, they wear out quicker and have to be replaced more often.
Emergency responders during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center were most likely exposed since the North Tower construction materials contained the material. Immediately following the collapse of the towers, a significant amount of fibers were released. The police personnel, volunteers and scores of firefighters have had numerous complications since that time.
Jobs where exposure to asbestos is common have decreased since the ban. Construction trades, demolition workers and remediation experts still must be trained as to how to handle the material once it is discovered. Even with the ban, lawyers continue to pursue numerous claims against manufacturers and the government over people who have developed illnesses after being exposed over the course of their jobs or military service.
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