Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that has been used in a wide range of fields including, but not limited to, construction, manufacturing and mining. The industrial revolution of the 1800s especially increased the prevalence of use. Asbestos exposure has been linked with a variety of health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The health effects of occupational asbestos usually appear 20 to 30 years after exposure, but can appear sooner. Some occupations have among the highest rates of exposure to asbestos.
Construction
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that "1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job." Electricians, plumbers, roofers and painters are disproportionately exposed to a variety of sources of asbestos fibers. Asbestos can be found in pipe and furnace insulation, textured paints, and asbestos shingles in older homes, and many construction workers are still exposed to asbestos. The demolition and removal of materials containing asbestos is an especially high-risk form of exposure. As many buildings built during the 1940s to 1970s contain asbestos, workers involved in renovations or demolitions are inevitably exposed to some level of asbestos. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created regulations for the maximum exposure to asbestos that an employee can receive as well as mandatory safety regulations. Ventilators, protective clothing, goggles and other safety equipment are required of employers to ensure the minimal occupational exposure to asbestos by construction workers.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing, including the shipbuilding and automotive industries, can pose occupational risks to asbestos. Before the ban on many forms of asbestos, the workers at manufacturing plants producing building materials, textiles, insulation, and various other products were subjected to occupational exposure of asbestos. Many vehicle brake pads contain asbestos fibers, as does the insulation used for boilers and steam pipes on ships. In addition, asbestos was commonly used on military ships, and many Navy shipbuilders are at risk of asbestos-related illnesses.
Mining
Many asbestos mineral miners were exposed to large doses of asbestos before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned mining for most forms of asbestos in 1989. Because inhalation of asbestos creates the highest occupational health risk, mining is especially devastating. The lack of ventilation and the high dose of asbestos into the lungs created the perfect storm for asbestos-related lung problems. While the EPA's 1989 ban on the use asbestos in many products has decreased the prevalence of asbestos in new home construction, there are still many older homes with asbestos. Until it has been completely removed, it is important to follow safety mandates to decrease your occupational risk of asbestos exposure.
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