{"id":13840,"date":"2023-06-22T15:37:35","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T21:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&p=13840"},"modified":"2023-07-25T12:12:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T18:12:10","slug":"asbestos-exposure-and-sheet-metal-installers-risks-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/exposicion-al-asbesto-e-instaladores-de-laminas-de-metal-riesgos-y-prevencion\/","title":{"rendered":"Asbestos Exposure and Sheet Metal Installers: Risks and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Asbestos was used for thousands of years as a strong and durable material, especially in construction and manufacturing. Asbestos is an inexpensive and durable natural mineral with a number of advantages<\/a> in which producers of various materials might be interested: it makes products strong and resistant to heat and corrosion. The mineral is lightweight, sound-absorbent, insulating, and non-soluble in water, and it binds well with other materials. However, asbestos also presents significant health risks and has fallen out of use due to stringent regulations and bans. <\/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><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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History of Asbestos In Industry<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In the United States in the 1920s, asbestos mining boomed as the Industrial Revolution was underway. It was used extensively in construction to make or insulate plaster, pipes, shingles, drywall, ducts, panels, sealants, and paint. Most buildings constructed before the 1980s, when the federal government placed heavy restrictions on its use, have detectable levels of asbestos, so those who come into contact with it are at risk of health complications<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What exactly is asbestos?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are several different types of asbestos<\/a>, all of which can break down into small particles that may be inhaled or swallowed. Because these microscopic fibers have no flavor or scent, people are often unaware of inhaling or ingesting them. When they enter the body, they do not break down, but rather embed themselves in body tissues, potentially causing severe respiratory and digestive problems for those who are exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to efforts made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos was largely banned in the United States in 1989, and these days there are many non-asbestos materials<\/a> that provide similar benefits. However, because so many buildings still contain the mineral, it is important to know the risks of exposure, who is at highest risk, and what the legal options exist to compensate for asbestos-related injuries.<\/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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Asbestos products were used nearly everywhere before the 1980s, especially in construction of public spaces such as schools and government buildings. Many people are exposed to asbestos in the workplace<\/a>, especially those who work in occupations<\/a> with high previous use of asbestos products, such as construction, manufacturing, mechanical work with vehicles, and the U.S. Armed Forces.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The risks of asbestos exposure are real.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The risks of exposure<\/a> are real. Asbestos is no longer used in new products, and those who work in removal of asbestos are highly trained in proper abatement protocols. However, those who work in buildings where asbestos is present can still be exposed at levels that may be significant enough to cause health concerns. <\/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
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While a person may not realize they have inhaled or ingested asbestos, tiny particles make a permanent home in the body, eventually leading to scarring and internal damage that can cause chronic illness and even terminal disease. Symptoms may take up to 50 years or more to appear, but then can become malignant and non-malignant diseases, both of which can be extremely painful and incurable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health risks of asbestos exposure to sheet metal installers include:asbestos-related diseases<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Mesothelioma: <\/strong>cancer of the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue surrounding the body\u2019s organs. This cancer is only known to be caused by asbestos exposure.<\/td>Lung cancer<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Laryngeal cancer:<\/strong> cancer of the larynx (section of the throat called the voicebox)<\/td>Ovarian cancer<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Stomach cancer<\/strong><\/td>Colon cancer<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Pharyngeal cancer<\/strong><\/td>Abestosis<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> a chronic lung disease associated with asbestos exposure<\/td><\/tr>
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)<\/strong><\/td>Atelectasis<\/strong> (collapsed lung)<\/td><\/tr>
Pleural effusion<\/strong> (collection of fluid around the lungs)<\/td>Pericardial effusion<\/strong> (collection of fluid around the heart)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\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>
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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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Secondary asbestos exposure<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Many industrial workers like sheet metal installers brought home asbestos on work clothing, hair, skin, tools and equipment, exposing children and household members.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One does not have to work directly with asbestos to suffer the health consequences of exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, studies have found that simply working around the fibers and experiencing indirect exposure<\/a> is a significant health risk. Thus, anyone who works in a building constructed before 1980 should test the building before doing any structural work in order to avoid handling asbestos and causing it to break into small particles that may be inhaled or swallowed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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