Do you know what your breathing in???
Effect On US
"Significant exposure to any type of Asbestos will increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma,and nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, including Astbestotsis, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and pleural effusions. This conclusion is based on observations of these diseases in groups of workers with cumulative exposures ranging from about 5 to 1,200 fiber-year/mL. Such exposures would result from 40 years of occupational exposure to air concentrations of 0.125 to 30 fiber/mL"
Why is Asbestos the problem???
"Asbestos was recognized to cause lung cancer as well as mesothelioma (a cancer that affects the outside lining of the lungs and inside lining of the chest cavity) in studies of workers who spent decades working in enclosed spaces where the air was usually hazy with fibers. Mesothelioma, which is much rarer than lung cancer, has occurred in family members of asbestos workers; because it is rare, the fact that it can occur (however uncommonly) at much lower levels of exposure can be documented." - Dr. Michael J. Thun, vice president of epidemiology and surveillance research at the American Cancer Society
Are You At Risk???
Workers working with or disposing of Asbestos may be at risk of what is known as occupational exposure, or exposure to Asbestos in your field of work. Listed below are occupations at risk from Asbestos exposure.
- Asbestos removal workers
- Workers at exfoliation facilities where vermiculite ore from Libby, Montana, was processed
- Demolition workers
- Workers at asbestos product manufacturing plants
- Auto mechanics
- Building inspectors
- Floor covering manufacturers or installers
- Furnace workers
- Hod carriers
- Iron workers
- Maintenance workers
- Merchant marines
- Operating engineers
Who Is Standing Up To Asbestos???
"WHO, in collaboration with the International Labor Organization and other intergovernmental organizations and civil society, works with countries towards elimination of asbestos-related diseases in the following ways:
- by recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos;
- by providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement;
- by taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos removal (abatement);
- by improving early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for asbestos-related diseases;
- by establishing registries of people with past and/or current exposures to asbestos and organizing medical surveillance of exposed workers;
- by providing information on the hazards associated with asbestos-containing materials and products, and by raising awareness that waste containing asbestos should be treated as hazardous waste."
What Can You Do To Make A Difference???
- Get Tested! Professionals will come to your house, using methods such as light microscopy, electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis to accurately identify Asbestos in your home.
- Awareness! Tell your family, neighbors, and friends to get their homes checked for Asbestos, it's better to be safe and educated than sorry.
- "Asbestos-related Diseases." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.
- "Expert on Asbestos and Cancer Takes Questions." City Room Expert on Asbestos and Cancer Takes Questions Comments. N.p., 19 July 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
- "Health Effects." ATSDR. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.