For as long as I can remember asbestos has been around. During the latter part of the 19th century, asbestos was discovered to be an insulating material that also made structures stronger. Though not used as heavily as it once was, it is still used for particular purposes.
After this "wonder" material was installed in many houses,
buildings and other structures throughout the decades, asbestos was discovered to be cancer-causing in humans. Besides being causing cancer, it also can cause a multitude of other diseases and conditions. Asbestos isn't a problem when it remains undisturbed. The problem is how it was installed and used - as freely as fiberglass now is used. When the fibers of disturbed asbestos mix into the air supply, people began to inhale it and the conditions and illnesses set in. One such condition is mesothelioma, which invades mesothelial membranes of the human body causing cells to become cancerous.Another severe condition is asbestosis, which is when the fibers of asbestos get imbedded in the lungs of a person. It wasn't until the 1970s that laws were instated to protect workers who installed asbestos to use the proper equipment and wear the right safety gear in working with this deadly agent. But by the time the laws & regulations were instated, many workers already had exposure to asbestos fibers working what now are considered asbestos jobs.
Not always acting quickly, asbestos can lay dormant for as long as forty or fifty years before the symptoms appear. By then it is often too late. Which workers are most affected by asbestos? Construction workers whenever the material is needed for some purpose in building a new structure. Demolition teams who come in contact with it after the destruction of a building, and the removal of materials is taking place. These are two of many to name.
Over the years many types of insulating products contain the deadly fiber, so insulation installers and people that must work in crawlspaces are subject to asbestos exposure. Even auto-mechanics can have exposure to it when changing out car brakes. Our beloved firefighting crews can be exposed to it when fighting fires in blazing buildings. As said before, many regulations are in place by governments across the world, but still there is a possibility of asbestos exposure over the long-term.
Given the history of asbestos, it is up to the employer and the worker to remain informed about safety regulations instated by the government, so avoid exposure on the job. Of course there are many employers who are not weary of this, so it's very important for workers to make themselves knowledge about this situation. So if you're considering one of many asbestos jobs, where exposure is likely, please get training on how to work in asbestos environments, so you can remain safe and stay healthy.
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