Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure, especially during the mid 1950’s to 1970’s, may be considered one of the most tragic aspects of American industrial growth. Almost all buildings constructed prior to 1980 exposed hundreds to deadly asbestos fibers. But, this asbestos was “encapsulated”, or sealed. Occasionally it was covered as well, and thus not considered dangerous. Asbestos fibers were not expected to separate and drift into air currents, and even if so, they weren’t thought to be dangerous. But, they were eventually inhaled, and due to their composition, the asbestos fibers become lodged in people’s lungs or stomach. They remain stuck in bodily tissue for decades, creating very harmful conditions unknown to the host.
Millions who worked closely with this material are now finding out that asbestos, sadly, is now known to be carcinogenic and often deadly.
Countless of Americans worked in jobs that relied on asbestos. Its primary use as a safeguard against flame, heat, and chemicals allowed these individuals to complete daily tasks without physical burns. However, it also inadvertently exposed them to danger as well. Asbestos utilization was relied upon by just about every industry, so it is impossible to blame any one type of construction. However, the majority of the primary uses of asbestos fell into the categories of shipbuilding, construction, auto manufacturing, and repair, mines, refineries, steel mills, railroads, and plants involving power, manufacturing and chemicals.
This is not to say that asbestos use was mainly in the areas of construction. Many repair products and procedures relied upon asbestos use and exposure. The local repair shop may have posed as much danger as any manufacturing location. Likewise, artists’ studios, hair salons and even laundries offered as much asbestos exposure as any refining plant or military location Furthermore, as it was also used in repairs, roofing, refrigeration, and many small and large appliances, asbestos was found in most homes as well.
Within the last 5 decades, many occupations exposed employees to dangerous levels of asbestos. One description of a workplace which utilized asbestos included the phrase "snowy conditions"- referring to the billions of pieces of asbestos floating through the area. Even though this white dust was clearly affecting employees’ respiratory health, many companies did not offer, much less insist upon, dust masks. In many cases, there was not even adequate proper ventilation. The lack of such a simple precaution tragically placed millions of American lives in danger, but this was not known until decades later. It is only then that diseases resulting from asbestos exposure begin to appear. Asbestos exposure disease frequently is seen in forms of cancer involving lungs, the chest, and possibly even the stomach. (This is due to those organs having the closest proximity to asbestos’ path of inhalation.) Not surprisingly, diseases are most often diagnosed in people with the most intense and length asbestos exposure.
The Construction industry is often considered that most dangerous for workers of the past. This includes Brick and Stone Masons, Bulldozer Operators, Bricklayers, Cabinetmakers, Cable Installers, Carpenters, Crane/Hoist Operators, Demolition Experts, Drywall Installers, Electric Power Linemen, Electricians, Furnace Installers/Repairmen, Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Household Appliance Installers, HVAC Workers, Insulators, Painters, Plasterers, Plumbers, Road Machine Operators, Roofers, Structural Metal Craftsmen, Telephone Repairmen and Tile Setters. Not to be overlooked are jobs within power and chemical pants, mines, refineries and steel mills. This would thus include Blacksmiths, Boilermakers, Chemical Technicians, Draftsmen, Drill Press Operatives, Forge Men, Freight/Material Handlers, Loom Fixers, Grinding Machine Operators, Machinists, Metal Lathers, Millwrights, Mixing Operators, Molders, Pipe Fitters, Smelters/Pourers, Steamfitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Textile Handlers, Tinsmiths, Tool/Die Makers and Welders. The Auto Industry cannot be overlooked, either, posing danger of exposure to Machinists and Mechanics. Even the military was not safe; in fact the most dangerous conditions were faced by Merchant Marines, Sailors/Deckhands, and Shipyard Workers.
Recent analysis has uncovered a cancer risk that is 92 times greater in former asbestos installers than in the average population. Yet, there is no true pattern, as it’s also been fount that 95% of those exposed to asbestos will not acquire any disease. Ironically, others have been diagnosed with dangerous conditions after just a brief exposure to asbestos. Studies have speculated that certain people are predisposed to cancer, and asbestos diseases in particular. Clearly, more research is underway.
