Asbestos Dangers: How to Prevent Exposure
Asbestos is a hazardous material found in many older buildings, like schools and homes. Breathing in asbestos fibers can lead to serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. To keep workers safe, it's important to know where asbestos might be and how to prevent exposure. In this blog, we'll explore the risks associated with asbestos and provide practical tips for minimizing exposure in the workplace.
What Should I Know About Asbestos?
Asbestos is an insulation material that can be very dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible. It was widely used in many industries and building materials from the 1930s to the 1970s because it was strong, heat-resistant, and fireproof. It was used in things like insulation, roofing, flooring, and car parts. However, we now know that asbestos can be harmful to health, so its use has decreased a lot since the late 20th century. Despite being restricted, it is still very common in older buildings and is still in use in limited forms in the United States.
Asbestos Awareness training is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We will go into more detail later in this article. Note: this training does not qualify you to get rid of asbestos hazards; that requires a totally different training. A greater level of education and certification is required for professionals who work to repair, encapsulate, or remove asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
What Makes Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos is a material made of many small fibers that, as they break down, float in the air. Over time, these fibers break down until they are microscopically thin and invisible, and when inhaled, they get lodged in the lungs. For a long time, this characteristic made it difficult to identify the link and long-term impacts of asbestos. Asbestos has a latency period of 10 to 20 years, meaning that the effects of asbestos can take many years after exposure to start. Because one of the primary uses of asbestos was home insulation, exposure would occur in small doses over long periods of time.
Despite links to negative health conditions, people who have contact with asbestos do not always develop health problems. The risk of disease depends on many factors:
- The amount of asbestos in the air
- How long a person is exposed to asbestos
- The time since the first exposure occurred
- Whether someone has lung or breathing problems
- Whether other harmful chemicals are present
- Whether someone smokes or uses tobacco
- Personal characteristics like age and gender
How Does Asbestos Affect People Who Are Exposed To It?
Exposure to asbestos has been linked to many health conditions, including:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Pleural thickening and effusion
- Other forms of cancer
Of these conditions, mesothelioma and asbestosis are very common to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs along with other organs, and asbestos is the primary cause of it. The life expectancy of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma is 12 to 21 months. Asbestosis is caused by asbestos fibers getting lodged in the alveoli in your lungs; the condition is chronic and causes scar tissue to form in the lungs. Over time, this causes the lungs to get stiff, making it difficult to breathe. It also increases the risk of lung cancer.
Though the severity of the diseases contracted from asbestos exposure varies, they are often chronic, and only the symptoms can be treated. It is extremely important that employees working around asbestos follow all safety protocols and that employers do everything they can to maintain a safe environment.
What Can Be Done To Prevent Asbestos Exposure?
The primary prevention method for asbestos exposure is to limit exposure to it. The US government strictly regulates employers who use asbestos products and requires them to implement extra safety measures. Asbestos is safe as long as it is secured, contained, and undisturbed.
The most common test to detect asbestos exposure is a chest x-ray. It cannot detect the asbestos itself but can detect diseases and conditions caused by asbestos early on, which allows for earlier treatment and symptom management. Other tests are also available to detect exposure. The best thing for someone who is concerned about potential exposure is to have regular medical checkups, avoid smoking and tobacco, live a healthy lifestyle, and avoid further exposure.
Prevention Through Training
Understanding the dangers of asbestos and taking proactive steps to prevent exposure is essential for workplace safety. By familiarizing yourself with where asbestos might be found and implementing proper safety protocols, you can protect yourself and your colleagues from the risks associated with this hazardous material. If you're ready to ensure your workplace is equipped with the knowledge and training needed to handle asbestos safely, consider enrolling in our online Hazards of Asbestos in the Workplace Training course. Head to our website to get started today!
