Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Facts About Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace Environmental & Injury Epidemiology & Toxicology Unit PO Box 149347 STAMP

Facts About Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace Environmental & Injury Epidemiology & Toxicology Unit PO Box 149347 STAMP

How do I know if I have an Where can I get more information? asbestos-related disease? Texas Department of State Health Services Contact your physician if you suspect http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/epitox that you have been exposed to asbestos. To evaluate potential asbestos-related National Institute for Occupational

diseases, a physician will conduct the Safety and Health Austin, TX 78714-9347 PO Box 149347 Environmental & Injury Epidemiology Toxicology Unit following: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh • A work exposure history Agency for Toxic Substances and • A physical examination Disease Registry • Diagnostic tests such as chest http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov X-rays, function tests, and CT scans National Institute http://www.cancer.gov

Occupational Safety and Health Administration http://www.osha.gov

The majority of the source material in this brochure was adapted from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) websites. Facts about Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace Environmental & Injury Epidemiology & Toxicology Unit PO Box 149347 STAMP

Austin, TX 78714-9347 PLACE HERE Environmental & Injury (800) 588-1248 Epidemiology & Toxicology Unit Texas Department of State Health Services Publication No. 09-13098 03/13 Airborne exposures can occur as ACM What is asbestos? What occupations are at risk What diseases are associated is disturbed during maintenance, repair, of exposure to asbestos? with asbestos exposure? Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring abatement, and of buildings Any occupation that handles ACM is at risk fibrous minerals that are mined or released and industrial facilities. When ACM is is a chronic, fibrotic lung for exposure. Some examples include: disease that results from the long-term from native rock sources. There are many disturbed, microscopic and particles • Asbestos abatement workers inhalation of respirable asbestos fibers. types of asbestos fibers, but the , can be released into the air of places of amosite, and crocidolite varieties are of • Demolition workers Symptoms of asbestosis employment and the environment. • Automobile mechanics and brake most commercial importance. • Shortness of breath repairers Unless proper controls and work practices • Cough • Heating, ventilation, and air Amosite Crocidolite are used at these sites, asbestos can be: • Chest pain or tightness conditioning technicians • Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) • Released to the outdoor air, water, • Masons • Recurrent respiratory infections or soil where residents or other • Carpenters workers also can be exposed to the • Plumbers is a malignant tumor that fibers • Roofers affects the tissues and passages of the • Carried home on the clothing or skin • Laborers respiratory system. Cigarette smoking of workers and can result in expo- • Floor maintenance workers combined with exposure to asbestos sures to their families and friends • Building inspectors greatly increases the chances that a The physical nature of asbestos fibers person will get lung cancer. makes them strong, heat resistant, and How does asbestos enter and unreactive. Because asbestos is a good leave the body? Symptoms of lung cancer , industry has used asbestos in Inhaling asbestos-containing air into the • Shortness of breath hundreds of commercial products. is one way that asbestos enters • Wheezing The following are examples of Asbestos the body. This is the exposure route of • Unexplained weight loss • Coughing up blood Containing Material (ACM): greatest concern. Some of the asbestos Potential Asbestos Containing Material • Shortness of breath fibers reaching the lungs are exhaled • Roofing materials (ACM) • Persistent chest pain • Floor covering and ceiling tiles out; others are coughed from the lungs in (cancer of the • and noise proofing insulations mucus. The fibers that reach the deepest How can workers prevent mesothelium) is a type of cancer that • Asbestos cement products air passages of the lungs can become trapped in the lung tissue and can cause asbestos exposure? impacts the cells that line the chest or • Automotive brake and clutch parts the abdominal cavities. • Boiler, heating, and refrigeration the most damage. • Use proper level of personal protective equipment and respiratory protection. system insulations Asbestos can also be ingested when Symptoms of mesothelioma • Change clothes before leaving work. • Shortness of breath • Heat-resistant fabrics mucus cleared from the lungs and nasal • If possible, shower before leaving passages is swallowed, or by drinking • Chest pain due to an accumulation work. of fluid in the pleural cavity How can asbestos exposure contaminated liquids. A small number of • Leave soiled clothes at work. occur? • Weight loss asbestos fibers may penetrate the cells • Store non-work clothes separately • Abdominal pain Asbestos exposure can occur when lining the digestive system, but only a from work clothes. • Bowel obstruction ACM is handled. Fibers can be released few of these will reach the bloodstream. • Wash work clothes separately from • Blood system abnormalities into the air and inhaled by the workers These fibers will then be released in the non-work clothes and family clothes. when ACM is manufactured or used. urine. Asbestos fibers rarely pass through • Do not take tools, , packaging, These asbestos-related diseases can and similar items home. Asbestos fibers do not break down in the skin into the body. take 20 to 50 years to develop after • Prevent family members from visiting the environment. the work area. asbestos exposures occur.