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 Safety and Health diseases, a physician will conduct the Austin, TX 78714-9347 PO Box 149347 ToxicologyBranch & Epidemiology Injury & Environmental 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, lung function tests, and CT scans National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov

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

The majority of the source material from 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 Branch PO Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714-9347 STAMP PLACE HERE Environmental & Injury (800) 588-1248 Epidemiology & Toxicology Branch Texas Department of State Health Services Publication No. 09-13098 02/09 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 demolition of buildings Any occupation that handles ACM is at risk fibrous minerals that are mined or released and industrial facilities. When ACM is Asbestosis is a chronic, fibrotic lung for exposure. Some examples include: from native rock sources. There are many disturbed, microscopic fibers and particles disease that results from the long-term • Asbestos abatement workers types of asbestos fibers, but the chrysotile, can be released into the air of places of inhalation of respirable asbestos fibers. • Demolition workers amosite, and crocidolite varieties are of Symptoms of asbestosis employment and the environment. • Automobile mechanics and brake most commercial importance. • Shortness of breath Unless proper controls and work practices repairers • Heating, ventilation, and air • Cough Amosite Crocidolite are used at these sites, asbestos can be: conditioning technicians • Chest pain or tightness • Released to the outdoor air, water, • Masons • Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) or soil where residents or other • Carpenters • Recurrent respiratory infections workers also can be exposed to the • Plumbers Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that fibers • Roofers affects the tissues and passages of the • Laborers • Carried home on the clothing or skin respiratory system. Cigarette smoking of workers and can result in expo- • Floor maintenance workers • Building inspectors combined with exposure to asbestos sures to their families and friends 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 insulator, industry has used asbestos in Inhaling asbestos-containing air into the • Cough • Wheezing hundreds of commercial products. lungs is one way that asbestos enters the body. This is the exposure route of great- • Unexplained weight loss The following are examples of Asbestos • Coughing up blood est concern. Some of the asbestos fibers Containing Material (ACM): • Shortness of breath reaching the lungs are exhaled out; others Potential Asbestos Containing Material • Roofing materials (ACM) • Persistent chest pain • Floor covering and ceiling tiles are coughed from the lungs in mucus. The Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothe- • Fire and noise proofing insulations fibers that reach the deepest air passages How can workers prevent lium) is a type of cancer that impacts the • Asbestos cement products of the lungs can become trapped in the lung tissue and can cause the most dam- asbestos exposure? cells that line the chest or the abdominal • Automotive brake and clutch parts cavities. • Boiler, heating, and refrigeration age. • Use proper level of personal protective equipment and respiratory protection. Symptoms of mesothelioma system insulations Asbestos can also be ingested when • Change clothes before leaving work. • Shortness of breath • Heat-resistant fabrics mucus cleared from the lungs and nasal • If possible, shower before leaving • Chest pain due to an accumula- passages is swallowed, or by drinking work. tion of fluid in the pleural cavity How can asbestos exposure contaminated liquids. A small number of • Leave soiled clothes at work. • Weight loss occur? asbestos fibers may penetrate the cells • Store non-work clothes separately • Abdominal pain Asbestos exposure can occur when ACM lining the digestive system, but only a few from work clothes. • Bowel obstruction is handled. Fibers can be released into of these will reach the bloodstream. These • Wash work clothes separately from • Blood system abnormalities the air and inhaled by the workers when fibers will then be released in the urine. non-work clothes and family clothes. These asbestos-related diseases can ACM is manufactured or used. Asbestos Asbestos fibers rarely pass through the • Do not take tools, scraps, packaging, take 20 to 50 years to develop after fibers do not break down in the environ- skin into the body. and similar items home. asbestos exposures occur. ment. • Prevent family members from visiting the work area.