Asbestos Cement a Life-Threatening Issue for Workers

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Steven Kazan

One part of history that never fails to anger me is that despite the federal government’s efforts to curb asbestos exposure during the 1970s and 1980s, policies that banned a wide range of asbestos-containing products were short-lived. Thanks to the relentless efforts of industries, a large number of items are still allowed to be manufactured with asbestos in the U.S. Many of these products are made with asbestos cement.

The people who live or work in the structures that were built with asbestos cement aren’t the only ones who need to worry about their health. Over the years, a number of studies have shown that the employees of the actual asbestos cement plants also have to be concerned.

Why does some cement contain asbestos?
For centuries, civilization has used asbestos because it’s strong and resistant to heat, friction and certain chemicals. By the mid-1970s, it was used in the manufacturing of more than 3,000 commercial and industrial products.

In 1989, the federal Environmental Protection Agency tried to enact policies that would have reduced asbestos use in the U.S. by about 94 percent, but two years later, the asbestos industry successfully reversed many of these regulations. As a result, manufacturers are still allowed to use the mineral to create cement products such as pipes, sheets and shingles.

That’s bad news for workers who have to actually make these products. Asbestos is sometimes added to cement mixes because the mineral fibers help keep the material from cracking.

Plant workers are at risk for respiratory diseases
For decades, scientists have been worried about the health of asbestos cement plant workers around the world, including the U.S. In the 1980s, researchers from Louisiana conducted studies on the health of individuals who worked in one of two asbestos cement plants in the state. The scientists discovered that the rates of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer were higher among people who worked in the one facility that actually manufactured asbestos cement pipes, particularly if they were employed there for more than one year.

The workers who enter the plant on a daily basis aren’t the only ones at risk. In Japan, researchers found that the residents who live near these facilities are also in danger, even after they close down. I found one study in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine that estimated that, from 1970 to 2049, between 296 and 382 people who lived around the asbestos cement plant near Amagasaki City will die from mesothelioma caused by exposure to the mineral fibers.

Other studies I’ve read have shown that asbestos exposure has one thing in common with tobacco use: The sooner that exposure stops, the lower the risk for future health problems. One research paper from Italy demonstrated that once asbestos cement plant employees stopped working, their risk of death from lung cancer dropped. Also, the study showed that the odds of these workers developing malignant pleural mesothelioma decreased once the possible latency period for their disease passed 40 years. However, the risk of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma continued to climb.

Personally, I find it rather appalling that companies around the world continue to use asbestos in the face of all the science that shows how dangerous it is. This goes to show you how powerful and influential the asbestos lobby can be.

But no one at Kazan Law is giving up the fight, and neither should you. If you’re as angry as we are, you should contact your lawmakers and tell them to take a stronger stance against the asbestos industry while increasing funding for medical research on asbestos-induced diseases.

In the meantime, workers need to keep themselves educated about their rights to protect themselves from asbestos exposure on the job.

United States’ Failed Asbestos Ban

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Steven Kazan

Whenever scientists discover that a chemical utilized in the manufacturing of products is actually harmful to people who use them, they may push public health or government officials to curb use of that chemical. When it comes to an asbestos ban, I’m often left with the following question: Why hasn’t the American government banned the use of asbestos? The mineral has been tied to an increased risk of deadly diseases, including malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, so why hasn’t the government done anything about it?

The answer is that the government did institute an asbestos ban – but the asbestos industry succeeded in pulling most of the teeth out of this ban. Not only was this disappointing for all of us at Kazan Law, but it also continues the incidence of asbestos-related diseases to this day.

Tackling the asbestos ban problem

Asbestos fibers are carcinogenic, meaning that once they enter the body and settle into the tissues, they cause changes in the cells that can lead to the development of cancer. This is especially true for the organs of the respiratory system, a fact that scientists have known for more than 70 years.

One of the earliest government actions against the asbestos industry took place in 1973, when the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of spray-applied asbestos material for the purposes of fireproofing or insulation. Over the next four years, this asbestos ban expanded to include wrap and block insulation for boilers and hot water tanks, artificial fireplace embers and wall patch compounds.

In 1979, the EPA announced that it was considering regulation of asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA. Members of the asbestos industry objected because they argued it would put people out of work. When the EPA caved in 1984 and said it would defer regulation to other government agencies, employees of the EPA protested publicly because they knew how dangerous asbestos was. This led the EPA to reverse its position.

A potential victory dies in court

By 1989, the EPA made a sweeping ban of all asbestos use after the completion of a 10-year study on the dangers of the mineral. This policy under the TSCA law would’ve curbed asbestos use by 94 percent, removing the mineral from the manufacturing of roofing materials, insulation and car brakes, and using safer alternative materials.

However, the sweeping victory was short-lived. Members of the American and Canadian asbestos industry took the TSCA asbestos ban to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in the manufacturers’ favor. Nowhere in the court’s ruling did it dispute the fact that asbestos can potentially cause cancer.

As it stands now, asbestos isn’t allowed in products such as commercial paper and flooring felt. It can still be used to make a large variety of items, including cement shingles, disk brake pads, automatic transmission components, roof coating and vinyl floor tiles.

Asbestos is no longer mined in the U.S., but our country does import more than 1,000 tons of the mineral every year.

Thus far, government efforts to control asbestos consumption in the U.S. have been gravely disappointing, but the lack of meaningful progress doesn’t mean that we should give up the fight against irresponsible industries. The Environmental Working Group encourages you to act by contacting your federal legislators and voicing your concerns about the dangers of asbestos.

On a global scale, the World Health Organization is working with various intergovernmental agencies to reduce occupational exposure to asbestos, which claims the lives of more than 107,000 people internationally every year. These efforts include educational campaigns on materials that can substitute for asbestos and support for research into the prevention and treatment of asbestos-related diseases.

The Asbestos Lobby: Kazan Law and Consumers Fight Back

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Steven Kazan

The global asbestos industry through the asbestos lobby is desperate to make consumers forget that their business is tied to increasing rates of deadly diseases such as malignant mesothelioma. Proponents’ attempts to flat-out deny this link have shown that they are not above using faulty science to deceive lawmakers or the general public, no matter the cost.

However, that’s not to say that people are helpless to do anything – far from it. As we all know, education is the best way to fight deception and protect ourselves.

The asbestos lobby wants to get a foothold in the developing world

As if it weren’t bad enough that the asbestos lobby essentially rendered federal laws reducing asbestos use toothless, proponents are also pushing for the use of the mineral in nations such as Brazil, China and India. There are several things that are disturbing about these efforts.

Studies are showing that the incidence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-induced diseases eventually shift downstream, from the miners and manufacturers to the carpenters, plumbers and other tradespeople who have to handle the material. This same pattern can eventually emerge in nations that still mine asbestos.

Organizations that lobby for the asbestos industry have sometimes suggested that knowledge of the risks associated with asbestos leads to the possibility of handling the mineral safely. However, in developing nations, the regulations needed to enforce safety measures are rarely in place.

Perhaps most disturbing, though, is the fact that science hasn’t proved that there’s a safe level of exposure to chrysotile asbestos. If even minute amounts of this mineral can cause cancer, there’s no denying that it has to be banned.

Still, the chrysotile asbestos lobby has fought large-scale government efforts to crack down on asbestos use. That doesn’t mean that consumers should give up the fight.

Kazan Law stands up for consumers

Time and again, the courts have listened to us at Kazan Law when we told them how maliciously irresponsible companies have disregarded the health of consumers and tradespeople.

We first beat the “chrysotile is safe” defense argument almost 40 years ago. There are a couple of recent examples. In 2010, we represented a mesothelioma patient who worked with Rockbestos brand wire insulation as a machinist from 1969 to 1971, as did his mother before him. A jury ruled that Rockbestos ignored more than 60 years’ worth of scientific evidence linking asbestos to mesothelioma, and that the company demonstrated malice in failing to warn customers about the risks until 1979.

In 2011, we proved to a jury that brake manufacturer Pneumo Abex was aware of the ties between asbestos and cancer since at least the 1940s, but failed to warn consumers or brake specialists. When a part-man from Oakland developed the deadly disease, we represented him.

These juries awarded more than $20 million for our clients.

We don’t just act locally, though. We have a proud history of supporting scientific studies that develop better treatments for mesothelioma. During the most recent meeting of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group, several researchers presented work that they completed with our financial help. These included efforts to enhance the immune system’s response against cancer cells and manipulate genes associated with the development of mesothelioma.

We also support global efforts to ban the use of asbestos. We work closely with the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, which helps organize educational conferences all around the world.

If you find yourself wondering whether you, too, can help fight the chrysotile asbestos industry and the asbestos lobby, remember that you have a voice as well. Don’t keep your concerns, frustrations and anger to yourself. Put them to good use and contact your lawmakers to let them know how you feel about these issues. If you want to spread the word, write a letter to the editorial section of your local newspaper and tell your story about how asbestos exposure has impacted your life.

It’s guaranteed that you’re not alone, and the influence of the asbestos lobby is nothing compared to the collective voice of everyday people like you. Send a copy to us and we will publish it online!

Asbestos Containing Products Still Manufactured Today

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Steven Kazan

Public awareness about the dangers of asbestos containing products is increasing. Storms on the East Coast drew attention to the presence of the material in the wreckage, while movies and TV shows, ranging from 1994’s “With Honors” to Fox TV’s “Bones,” have portrayed the devastating effects that asbestos can have on people who inhale the deadly mineral fibers.

Even the federal government has been taking notice lately – it declared the first week of April National Asbestos Awareness Week.

So with all the attention surrounding this hazard, many of Kazan Law’s clients are left with certain questions: Why is asbestos still allowed in manufacturing in the U.S., and what products contain it?

Two decades of incremental work

For more than 70 years, scientists have found evidence that asbestos has potentially deadly effects on the human body. However, it wasn’t until 1973 that the federal government started to crack down on asbestos use. That year, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of spray-on asbestos as fireproofing and insulation material. Throughout the rest of the decade, the EPA forbade the use of asbestos from more products, including boilers, hot water tanks, artificial fireplace embers and wall patching compounds.

The big push came, though, in 1989, when the EPA banned most asbestos containing products. However, the asbestos industry challenged the law, and the federal appeals court removed most of the teeth in these policies two years later.

Currently, the EPA bans asbestos from being used in corrugated paper, commercial paper, specialty paper, flooring felt and rollboard. Also, companies cannot introduce asbestos into the production processes of items that were never made with the material in the past.

More than 1,000 tons a year for asbestos containing products

Asbestos hasn’t been mined in the U.S. since 2002. However, the country still imports the mineral from nations like Brazil, which still mines it. During the last three years, the U.S. took in more than 1,000 tons of asbestos annually.

So where does it all go? The U.S. Geological Survey lists the chloroalkali industry as the leading user of asbestos, consuming 57 percent of mineral sources. This business uses asbestos for devices that convert brine into chlorine because the material is strong and resistant to acids and bases.

As for the rest of the asbestos that comes into the U.S., unfortunately, some industries are still allowed to manufacture certain asbestos containing products. These include, but are not limited to:

Cement corrugated sheets
Cement flat sheets
Cement pipe
Pipeline wrap
Vinyl floor tiles
Automatic transmission components
Clutch facings
Disk brake pads
Drum brake linings
Gaskets
Roof coatings
Roofing felt
Clothing

There is no excuse for this because there are many suitable substitutes for asbestos. These may include carbon fiber, cellulose fiber, steel fiber, glass fiber, talc and silica.

Needless to say, we here at Kazan law find all of this greatly disturbing. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, so the fact that it’s still used in manufacturing is appalling. But if you’re as perturbed as we are, you may be able to help: Channel your anger and frustration into positive action. One way to do this is to contact your federal legislators and ask them to support policies such as the outright banning of asbestos containing products and widespread federally supported health screening.

The Chrysotile Asbestos Lobby: Denying Scientific Truth

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Steven Kazan

For more than 70 years, scientists have released study after study demonstrating how all forms of asbestos, particularly including the chrysotile form, are dangerous because they cause fatal diseases such as malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. Between this research and the growing amount of outrage coming from consumers, it would be reasonable to expect every government in the world to ban the production, mining, and sale of the material.

Yet the fact remains that asbestos continues to be used in the manufacturing of many products around the world. It’s a fact that’s quite appalling to us at Kazan Law.

Why is this allowed to happen? This continuing use of asbestos can largely be chalked up to the continuing efforts of the asbestos lobby to undermine credible science.

Industry buys good face for five decades

For all practical reasons, the asbestos industry should have folded under the overwhelming evidence implicating the mineral in the deaths of people who developed diseases resulting from asbestos exposure. One of the reasons why the industry has survived is the presence of a few studies that suggest chrysotile asbestos is relatively safe to use. McGill University in Canada, which bought and paid for, is one institution that released such research.

Of course, there’s a problem with these studies: They were conducted with the use of funding from the asbestos industry, often concealed, dating all the way back to the 1960s. Even though the university asserted that its experiments demonstrating the relative safety of chrysotile asbestos were replicated, experts from the University of Alberta pointed out that the only studies that were able to achieve this were also funded by the asbestos industry.

What does the most recent data tell us about chrysotile asbestos?

These studies are only a small fraction of the number that was conducted on chrysotile asbestos. One team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, decided to take a view of the larger picture by conducting a worldwide review of research papers that discussed chrysotile asbestos and mesothelioma.

The review, which was published in the Annals of Epidemiology in 2012, concluded that chrysotile asbestos is linked to cases of mesothelioma from all around the world, and that a global ban of all types of asbestos in an effort to stop an epidemic is warranted.

Still, the industry has proven itself stubborn and outright unethical.

Asbestos stakeholders are dragging scientists down

One of the latest examples of the asbestos industry’s questionable ethics was the execution of the Chrysotile Asbestos: Risk Assessment and Management conference in Ukraine in 2012. Russia is the world’s lead producer of asbestos fiber and its asbestos industry has great government support. What made the event especially baffling was the fact that not only did organizers send an invitation to a scientist from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, but also that she accepted.

Members of the IARC defended the decision of the scientist, Valerie McCormack, by saying the conference was an opportunity for her to present the latest research on the dangers of chrysotile asbestos. However, critics pointed out that the study she was scheduled to present was out of date and undersold the true level of risk.

The involvement of the IARC in this conference tarnishes the agency’s name, but perhaps more importantly, it provides the Russian asbestos industry with some much-needed cover. This month, the Rotterdam Convention will convene, and participating nations all around the world will decide whether to require warnings on asbestos shipped from one country to another.

However, it’s important not to be discouraged by these developments. The asbestos industry may be able to buy good face, but in the end, it cannot buy good science, or truth, both of which stand with the victims, who have the power to fight back.

Countries Band Together to Say No to Toxic Ship Dumping

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Steven Kazan

Whether we’re talking about old naval ships that served the U.S. in the Vietnam War or once-magnificent cruise ships that outlived their shine, the fact is that large maritime vessels need to be properly disposed of when they’re no longer useful – the keyword being “properly.” Too many times, countries around the world cut corners when they get rid of their ships. Not only are these practices not environmentally friendly, but they also needlessly put people at risk of exposure to asbestos and other toxins.

That’s why I’ve found it so encouraging to learn that more than 30 non-government organizations in Europe are pushing for the European Parliament to create a continental fund that supports green policies for ship recycling.

90 percent of old ships are dumped on the developing world
One of the reasons why current ship breaking practices make us at Kazan Law so angry is that these responsibilities are often dumped on developing countries. In fact, the Center for Land Use Interpretation, or CLUI, estimates that 90 percent of the world’s ships are sent to Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to be broken apart.

What’s the danger there? For one thing, many old ships used asbestos as a form of insulation in their engine rooms and other areas. People who work to break the ships apart are at serious risk for diseases such as malignant pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 107,000 people from all over the planet die annually because of illnesses caused by asbestos exposure on the job. That includes those who work as ship breakers. However, asbestos isn’t the only thing that puts people’s health at risk. Mineral oil, bilge water, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and other chemicals are also hazardous.

Countries try to go green
It’s easy to cut corners on ship breaking, but there are several NGOs in Europe that refuse to stand idly by as both the environment and people are imperiled. More than 30 groups, including Greenpeace and the International Federation of Human Rights, signed a petition to the European Parliament to support green ship recycling practices.

An environmental committee within the European Parliament voted to create a continental fund that would encourage European countries to bear the management costs of handling the hazardous waste from ships. The petition calls on the whole parliament to implement the proposal. Money for the fund would come from fees levied on ships calling on any port in the European Union.

The governing body is scheduled to vote on the fund April 18. Additionally, they’ll vote on whether to ban beaching, an irresponsible practice in which ships are broken apart on tidal beaches instead of impermeable floors.

In addition to protecting both the environment and workers’ health, ship recycling advocates also support greater bargaining rights for individuals who work as ship breakers.

How does the U.S. deal with its own ships?
Federal law in the U.S. requires that most ships be disposed of within this country. Most of these jobs take place at sites in Virginia, Maryland and Texas. Once the ships are sufficiently dismantled and cleaned by firms specializing in these jobs, they can be used for sinking in live-fire military training exercises. Also, one environmentally conscious practice used for clean and empty ships is to sink them offshore for the purposes of establishing new coral reefs. These sites also provide curiosities for scuba divers.

Recreational Boats and the Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Steven Kazan

Here in the middle of April, Americans are enjoying the heart of spring and planning ahead for summer vacation at the same time. For those who enjoy the water, this often means sprucing up a beloved boat. Because of this, I’d like to remind sailing enthusiasts that when it comes to making sure a vessel is seaworthy, the risk of asbestos exposure should be considered.

It’s true that asbestos is more commonly associated with large maritime vessels, such as naval ships that were used during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, asbestos may also be present on some recreational boats.

However, that doesn’t mean that you and your family have to stay on land throughout the entire sailing season.

What items on a boat contain asbestos?
Whether it’s in an old house or in your boat, asbestos behaves the same way: It usually won’t endanger you as long as it’s left intact and undisturbed. But where exactly on a sailboat would you find asbestos?

Asbestos-containing products on a boat may include, but are not limited to, caulking, bedding compound, adhesives, sealant, exhaust riser insulation and cloth insulation that’s used to cover electrical wires. Asbestos may also be used to thicken certain resins.

Sailors should also be aware of whether there’s vermiculite onboard their vessels. Most of the vermiculite insulation that’s sold commercially in the U.S. comes from mines in Montana, which are known to have been contaminated by asbestos minerals. Unless you’re an expert on asbestos, it’s hard to tell whether the vermiculite you have is tainted, so your safest bet is to assume that it does contain asbestos.

The best way to find out if your boat has asbestos is to get a hold of the original design plans. Other than that, you should just try your best not to disturb anything that may contain the mineral.

If you still feel uneasy not knowing whether or not your boat has asbestos, there are companies that can conduct laboratory analyses if you provide them with material samples. For your safety, you shouldn’t collect these samples yourself. Instead, hire a professional who is specially trained to handle asbestos.

Try not to disturb the asbestos
In the U.S., asbestos-induced diseases, such as malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer, claim the lives of nearly 10,000 individuals every year. It’s no wonder why people are concerned about the best ways to protect themselves.

Once you’ve identified asbestos-containing materials, leave them alone if you know they’re undamaged. Try to isolate the items so that no surrounding activity disturbs them. Also, do not handle these products with power tools, including drills, saws or sanders.

If there’s dust or debris that you’d like to clean up, be very careful not to kick mineral fibers up into the air. This means that you shouldn’t dust or sweep. Instead, use wet rags or a mop.

If you want to use a vacuum cleaner, sailing enthusiast Jessie K recommends using only a product that contains a HEPA filter. When you’re in your workshop, you can protect yourself with the help of a facial mask or respirator that has a filter designed to screen out asbestos fibers.

Risks of Asbestos Exposure on College Campuses

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Steven Kazan

Whenever people think about the dangers surrounding one’s exposure to asbestos, images of old, rundown factories or office buildings may come to mind. But in the last few months, I’ve come across at least two news articles that highlighted the presence of asbestos on college campuses.

This greatly worries us here at Kazan Law. When college students think about their futures 20 to 50 years from now, they should be picturing themselves happy in stimulating careers and not struggling with diseases such as malignant mesothelioma.

Discoveries are startling at Kansas State University
Student union buildings serve as hubs of activity on college campuses. These busy locales are where young individuals have lunch, student organizations hold their meetings and student body leaders meet with school faculty. At Kansas State University, Manhattan, people on campus were in for a rude awakening when officials discovered that the Union building, as well as other structures, contained asbestos. This led to restrictions as well as closures of certain rooms and floors.

All employees of the Union building were alerted to the danger and told that they were safe as long as no one disturbed the asbestos. Meanwhile, campus officials have to avoid making certain alterations to their surroundings, such as erecting walls that reach all the way up to the ceilings.

‘Skip the thumbtacks and nails’
Decorative posters are a natural way for college students to express themselves in their living spaces. However, last autumn, Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia warned students who were staying in some of its campus housing units that they needed to avoid using thumbtacks or nails when hanging posters or other decorative items because of the threat of asbestos exposure.

Analyses of air samples around the school indicated that students were not in any immediate danger. Still, administrators advised students on campus to use sticky adhesives to hang items on their walls.

Campuses are responsible for keeping students safe
The danger of exposure to asbestos is that mineral fibers can cause serious damage to the body’s cells if they’re inhaled or ingested. Specifically, asbestos can lead to respiratory problems and malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, throat and other tissues. One reason why public health experts are concerned about asbestos is that people may not be aware they have become sick from the material until decades have passed since they were exposed. By then, it is often too late for prognoses to be hopeful.

Asbestos was a common component of products used in construction on buildings that were erected before the 1980s. Specifically, asbestos may be present in insulation, textured wall surfaces, roofing tiles, electrical equipment, cement piping and other items.

College campuses are responsible for knowing what dangers their students face when it comes to asbestos. Campus ERC, an environmental advocacy group for higher education, lists several regulations that campuses must follow during major construction and renovation projects. Among them are requirements to adhere to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and communicate with the federal Environmental Protection Agency about the handling of asbestos-containing materials.

Lifelong Pilot and Asbestos Cancer Victim Gives Justice Back to the Community

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Steven Kazan

When families come to us at Kazan Law, they are facing one of the most challenging times in their lives and we are always greatly honored to get to know and help them. It is extremely gratifying when we see them take the justice we’ve obtained on their behalf and give back to the community in ways that help other cancer victims.

In this video, Kazan Law partner Justin Bosl shares the story of our client, Timothy Vest, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the young age of 44. A pilot at heart, Mr. Vest had been hanging around hangars and airplanes long before he earned his pilot license at age 16 and went on to become a commercial airline pilot. Unfortunately, there was asbestos in the airplane parts and airplane hangar that he played in as a child and the exposure over the years increased his risk of developing cancer.

We were able to successfully resolve his case, which saved Mr. Vest and his family from the emotional toll of a trial. Thankfully, Mr. Vest was diagnosed at a very early stage and was able to be treated with surgery. The tumor has been removed and the cancer has not recurred.

Mr. Vest has made a personal commitment to fight back by taking action to help others in need by forming the Timmy Challenge Foundation, whose mission is providing financial and emotional support to families affected by tragedy.

Plumbers and Pipefitters: 7 Ways to Protect Yourself from Asbestos on the Job

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Steven Kazan

Anyone who performs construction or is employed at a job related to home and building maintenance needs to be cautious about asbestos exposure, especially if they work on structures erected during a time when use of the mineral was more rampant. Plumbers are among those tradespeople who need to be careful because asbestos is a common component of insulation materials, which can be present in various spaces that house pipes, or be used to wrap the pipes themselves.

Because this is extremely disturbing for us here at Kazan Law, I thought this might be a good time to talk about the risks plumbers face in general.

Scientists knew about the hazard to plumbers for decades
Civilization has used asbestos for centuries because its physical properties make it resistant to heat and friction. In the U.S., the use of asbestos reached its peak during the mid-1970s, when the mineral was used in the manufacturing of more than 3,000 consumer and industrial products. When it came to construction, that meant soundproofing and insulation materials, including blankets that were used as wrapping around pipes.

If you’re a plumber who has to work in a building that was constructed before 1980, you may be at risk for exposure to asbestos. For more than 70 years, scientists have shown this to be a legitimate concern.

I read a study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, that was released in 1985. The authors talked about an experiment they conducted, in which they looked at a group of 153 plumbers and pipefitters. All research participants completed medical questionnaires and underwent several tests to measure the health of their lungs.

The scientists discovered that nearly 20 percent of the subjects had thickening of the pleura, or the tissue sacs that encase the lungs, on both sides of their chests. This is a common problem associated with asbestos exposure.

Additionally, asbestos is associated with several potentially fatal illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, gastrointestinal cancers, asbestosis and more. In fact, the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 9,900 individuals in the U.S. die from asbestos-induced diseases every year.

One of the dangers of these illnesses is that individuals may not see a doctor until they start experiencing symptoms, and by then, it may be too late for a cure. This is why it’s important for tradespeople such as plumbers to be conscious of the risk.

Proper training can help prevent tragedies
The federal Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that anyone who works in the construction of housing or other buildings that contain asbestos to be trained specifically to handle this hazard properly. These regulations may differ from state to state, but organizations such as the National Center for Health Housing have calendars that list training sessions centered on subjects such as asbestos, lead, mold, pests and energy efficiency.

Furthermore, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering in the UK lists several things that you can do to protect yourself on plumbing jobs:

If you suspect that a product you need to handle has asbestos, dampen it before touching it so the fibers are less likely to become airborne.- Use hand-operated tools instead of power tools, which are more likely to disturb asbestos fibers.
Whenever you need to clean up dust, use only a damp cloth or a Type H vacuum to perform the task.
Instead of letting waste build up, dispose of it as you go along.
Clean your hands and face before every break and before heading home.
Do not bring work clothes back to your house.
If you find any asbestos-containing materials that require disposal, put them in a sealable container, or double-bag them within heavy-duty polythene bags.
When at work at a job site, refrain from smoking, drinking or eating.

Posts by: Steven Kazan