{"id":13822,"date":"2023-06-16T14:50:52","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T20:50:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&p=13822"},"modified":"2023-07-25T12:12:41","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T18:12:41","slug":"asbestos-exposure-and-tile-setters-risks-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/colocadores-de-baldosas-y-exposicion-al-asbesto-riesgos-y-prevencion\/","title":{"rendered":"Asbestos Exposure and Tile Setters | Risks and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Asbestos exposure is a significant risk for those who have worked in the construction industry. While it is true that exposure risks are not limited to a certain trade, some trades may carry a comparatively higher risk<\/a> than others because of the sheer amount of asbestos use and exposure. One trade that people should be aware of in relation to asbestos exposure is tile setters. Here\u2019s what you need to know about the risk of asbestos exposure and the steps that should be taken to prevent those risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, even as a child, speak to a healthcare provider about tests and screening to help diagnose lung-scarring and screen for <\/strong>asbestos-related diseases<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Asbestos Use in the Construction Industry<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Imagine a material that could be used from A-Z in the construction industry. Could such a material exist? What if it was a natural mineral that was relatively cheap to manufacture and came in a variety of types to suit various applications? On top of that, what if it was resistant to things like heat, electricity conductivity, and corrosion? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asbestos: The Miracle Mineral with a dark side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It turns out that such material does<\/em> exist, and it\u2019s what we know of as asbestos. In fact, this material was called the miracle mineral specifically because of how versatile it was from A-Z. Asbestos<\/a> is actually a label used to describe a group of different minerals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asbestos minerals come in different fiber shapes, meaning that different types of asbestos can best be used for different types of construction applications and products. Some of the more common asbestos products<\/a> include drywall, cement, paint, sealants, vinyl, and tile. Of course, these products have to be manufactured before the final product is used in the construction phase- meaning that various industrial sites<\/a> throughout the process (factories, refineries, foundries, shipyards) also carry high exposure risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who worked in these industries prior the mid-1980s have a higher risk of developing <\/strong>asbestos-related diseases<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Construction<\/td>Factories<\/td>Foundries<\/td>Refineries<\/td>Shipyards<\/td>Mining \/ Milling<\/td><\/tr>
Demolition<\/td>Insulation<\/td>Steelworkers<\/td>Pipe Fitting<\/td>Shipbuilding<\/td>Mechanics<\/td><\/tr>
Roofing<\/td>Textiles<\/td>Iron workers<\/td>Boilers<\/td>Firefighting<\/td>Brake Repair<\/td><\/tr>
Flooring<\/td>Cement<\/td>Electricians<\/td>Gasket Repair<\/td>Railroad<\/td>HVAC<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately so do their families.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Asbestos Use in Tile-Setting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tile-setting<\/a> includes the process of measuring, cutting, and installing tile, marble, or slate, however, tile setters may also install other types of flooring such as wood or carpet. Depending on the construction needs (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) the type of installation may change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, a tile setter may work in the construction environment of a residential home, a shipyard industrial shop, or even on board a submarine. Because of this, the materials being used by a tile setter during the installation process can range from plasters, sealants, cement<\/a>, and fireproofing mastics. Unfortunately, many of these materials previously contained asbestos. Asbestos<\/a> was used in these materials as a way to apply heat resistance and other types of protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
High Risk for Tile Setters Active Prior to Mid-1980s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Today there are various OSHA standards<\/a> and EPA regulations<\/a> available to address the presence of asbestos in the construction industry. However, prior to the ban and phasing out of asbestos in the mid-1980s<\/a>, the prevalence of asbestos in construction environments was thorough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even walls, ceilings and nearby machinery may have sprayed-on<\/a> applications of asbestos for fireproofing purposes. This kind of environment for tile setters and other construction workers meant that you were literally surrounded<\/a> by different forms of asbestos. Despite the fact that the dangers concerning asbestos exposure had been reported and documented for decades, the general public and workers were either kept in the dark or lied to about the danger of asbestos altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continual Risk After the 1980s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While many asbestos-containing materials<\/a> have been slowly phased out after the EPA ban in the 1980s, any home or property built before that time<\/a> still contains asbestos. This means that tile setters are still at risk today when working in older buildings. Some of the more common situations include working on renovation<\/a> projects or repair projects after flood, wind, or fire damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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“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\n\n\n
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Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Being exposed to asbestos fibers can have detrimental health consequences<\/a>, such as various types of cancer<\/a> and lung diseases. Ongoing research continues to show more connections between various types of asbestos exposure and cancer, including laryngeal cancer<\/a>. By far, the most common form of cancer related to asbestos is mesothelioma<\/a>. In fact, the majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. Issues of lung cancer or lung-related diseases<\/a> caused by asbestos can often be fatal. However, even when this does not prove to be fatal, it often is debilitating to one\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\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
Asbestos Latency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
However, one of the greatest issues with asbestos exposure is the issue of latency. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and they do not have any smell or taste. This means that most people are unaware that they have ingested or swallowed asbestos fibers, and it can take decades for exposure symptoms<\/a> to appear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to know that this concern applies to anyone who may have been exposed to asbestos fibers<\/a>, including the spouse or children of tile setters. This is because tiny asbestos fibers can stick to clothing and tools, causing them to be carried from the workplace and into homes. When this happens, it\u2019s called second-hand asbestos exposure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\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\n\n\n
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