The Importance of Asbestos Awareness

The use of asbestos was banned in 1977, and it had a very broad range of
applications. Because of this asbestos can be found in many materials that are from that time period. The reason this should be of a concern is that asbestos can be threatening to life and health. It affects the respiratory tract and people that have been exposed can develop mesothelioma, later on. This is a rare type of lung cancer that is directly caused by asbestos exposure.

Before the tear down of any building built prior to 1977, the building needs to be tested for asbestos materials and those materials must be disposed of properly, if they contain asbestos.  There could be legal consequences if this is not followed as it can put workers as well as anybody in the area at risk.

Who is most at risk when they are exposed to asbestos? Every person near that area is put at risk as it can still cause adverse affects no matter your age or size. However, a person has a prior lung
disorder such as that person is a smoker they are at greater risk to develop Asbestosis which will put that person at a higher risk for mesothelioma.

Asbestos while it might not cause cancer right away it puts people at risk for Asbestosis as well as mesothelioma. Putting people at risk for a disease like that will have serious legal ramifications. Do your homework, know what you are working with, and if you are unsure contact your local safety consultant to check. Can anyone contribute a time that insert topic name was involved in your work? Can anyone recall a near miss or accident that could’ve been
prevented.

Asbestos Fibers