{"id":13745,"date":"2023-06-01T17:31:16","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T23:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&p=13745"},"modified":"2023-07-25T12:16:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T18:16:38","slug":"asbestos-exposure-and-glass-workers-risks-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/exposicion-al-asbesto-y-trabajadores-del-vidrio-riesgos-y-prevencion\/","title":{"rendered":"Asbestos Exposure and Glass Workers | Risks and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The range of asbestos exposure throughout the industrial world is much more comprehensive than many people may know. One example of this is the glass industry. In fact, it is highly likely that many are unaware of all the exposure risks that existed in that industry<\/a>– as well as some that still exist today. Here\u2019s what you need to know about the risks and prevention of asbestos exposure for glass workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
If you may have been exposed to asbestos, even when you were a child, speak to your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and <\/strong>asbestos-related diseases<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
The Use of Asbestos in the Industrial World<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
With just a little knowledge about the benefits of asbestos, it\u2019s no surprise that asbestos found its way into the glass industry by popular demand. At the height of asbestos use, you could find this material in virtually every corner of the construction and production industry. The reason for this has to do with the durability<\/a> of asbestos. This natural mineral does not dissolve in water, it\u2019s resistant to things like acid and alkali (corrosion), and heat, and it serves as a strong insulator without being conductive to electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides the ability of asbestos to resist these elements, the various types of asbestos<\/a> come in different fibrous strands and mineral families, making this material relatively easy to be used in the manufacturing of other materials- everything from cement to ceiling tiles. In fact, even older household products <\/a>such as coffeepots, hair dryers, and even toasters contained asbestos because of its durability qualities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n    
\n        
\n            \n                \n                    \n                        
\n                            
“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level<\/span> of asbestos exposure<\/span>.\u201d<\/h3>\n                            
Source: National Cancer Institute\n<\/a> (NIH)1<\/sup><\/p>\n                        <\/td>\n                    <\/tr>\n                <\/tbody>\n            <\/table>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Asbestos Use in the Glass Industry<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
The glass industry played an important manufacturing role in America when asbestos was still widely used. Dishware, windows, fiberglass, television screens and tubing are only a small fraction of the range of this industry. The process of manufacturing glass involves very high heat, and various types of machinery, and before modern technological innovations- many hands-on workers to manually assist the process. From start to finish, the process<\/a> is essentially melting, fining, homogenization, annealing, and forming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OSHA identified glass workers as potentially at risk for asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The National Institute for Occupational Safety<\/a> and Health published a 1976 study showing the dangers of asbestos exposure for glass workers, identifying specific areas\/processes of concern such as emptying the baghouse, nailing, pressing, lathe operators, teardown, and grooving. At that time, asbestos was not banned, but the report showed that many of these areas exposed workers beyond the acceptable amount of asbestos fibers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n    
\n        
\n            \n                \n                    \n                        
\n                            
\u201cSome asbestos fibers may bypass\u2026your body\u2019s natural defenses\u2026and lodge deep within your lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed.\u201d<\/h3>\n                            
Source: American Lung Association\n<\/a><\/p>\n                        <\/td>\n                    <\/tr>\n                <\/tbody>\n            <\/table>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
The Source of the Risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It may still seem unclear exactly how glass workers would have been at risk of asbestos exposure. After all, unlike cement and other products manufactured prior to the 1980 ban and modern EPA regulations<\/a>, asbestos was not added to glass as a way to strengthen it. The danger was actually hiding in plain sight, however. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, there is the fact that asbestos was used to insulate all the machinery used in this high-heat process. Second, most protective equipment worn by workers contained asbestos, such as gloves, masks, coveralls, and even respirator filters. Finally, the industrial facilities were full of asbestos-containing materials- everything from the cement floors to the roofing tiles contained asbestos. Many of these materials and equipment would be phased out and replaced with non-asbestos materials<\/a>, but that would only happen after the damage had been done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n    
\n        
\n            \n                \n                    \n                        
\n                            
\u201cGenerally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.\u201d<\/h3>\n                            
Source: National Cancer Institute\n<\/a> (NIH)2<\/sup><\/p>\n                        <\/td>\n                    <\/tr>\n                <\/tbody>\n            <\/table>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Image<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
The Risks Involved<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Just because asbestos is present in a facility does not always mean that it poses a deadly risk. After all, asbestos was popular because of its durability. However, the risk involved with working in a facility containing asbestos<\/a> has to do with the breakdown (friability) of asbestos in the facility and equipment. When asbestos breaks down, the microscopic fibers can be exposed and spread everywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gloves wear out, buildings decay, and the high temperatures and high-pressure air used in glass production only serve to amplify the scope of spreading asbestos fibers everywhere. Workers would ingest or inhale asbestos fibers into their lungs, and carry them home on their clothing and tools, exposing their spouse and children in a process known as second-hand exposure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like the exposure risks of asbestos, the damage caused by asbestos exposure often hides in plain sight. This has to do with the latency<\/a> of asbestos exposure. Asbestos has no smell or taste, nor does exposure have any immediate signs. Instead, it often takes decades for symptoms of asbestos exposure to show up. By then, cancers like mesothelioma<\/a>, lung diseases<\/a>, and much more have developed and often move at an aggressive pace.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
       \n        
Do You Qualify For Compensation?<\/p>\n        
Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.<\/p>\n        FREE SEARCH > <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n