Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by long-term asbestos exposure. The disease affects people that have worked in environments where they inhaled or swallowed microscopic airborne fibers. The fibers can become trapped inside the lungs or stomach. They cause inflammation and cell damage, which leads to cancerous tumors forming.
People at risk of developing Mesothelioma include military personnel, construction workers, firefighters, power plant workers, textile workers, automobile mechanics and many others. Family members are also considered at risk from exposure to a spouse working in one of these fields.
Products With Asbestos Contamination
Asbestos was mined for use in products because it had a natural resistance to heat and fire. Although it was used in materials for many years before it was known as a carcinogen, some products still have Asbestos in them today. Some of these products are listed below.
Many older homes still contain Asbestos from construction materials used to build them years ago. Some of those materials were bonding adhesive, sealer, caulk, tape, sheetrock, flooring and other construction materials. They were popular because of heat resistance and lessen the chance of fire. People exposed to these products work in the construction and building industry.
Automobile products can still contain Asbestos in clutch disks, brake pads, disc pads, transmission parts, and other automotive components. Automobile mechanics are at risk of developing Mesothelioma from Asbestos fibers from working in the industry.
Some textile materials could have contained Asbestos when it was combined with yarn or thread to weave fire-resistant products. Some products were fire-resistant blankets and suits developed for firemen. People who worked in the textile industry and Firefighting industry are at risk of developing Mesothelioma.
Asbestos-contaminated talcum powder is another product, which has been used for decades. Some companies are in lawsuits today because they knew about the hazards of using talc products containing Asbestos. Now, makeup is being analyzed for Asbestos contamination. Not only was the consumer at risk of exposure but also industrial workers that manufacture the product were exposed to health risks. A few of the many products manufactured for consumer use are listed here.
§ Cashmere body talc
§ English leather after shave talc
§ Johnson baby powder
§ Yardley baby powder
§ Old Spice talcum powder
§ Cody face powder
Where Asbestos Is Found In Older Homes
The problem with the eradication of Asbestos is there were so many products developed with the mineral. It is terrifying to realize there is so much around us that contains Asbestos. People are at risk of exposure even living in their own homes. The following is a list of areas inside the home that could contain Asbestos.
§ Popcorn or textured ceilings
§ Textured paint
§ Cement Asbestos board siding and flooring
§ Batt and spray insulation products
§ Vinyl floor tile
§ Wiring insulation
§ Electrical lighting materials and products
§ Wall gaskets and linings
§ Roof shingles and roofing felt
§ Heat reflectors used on wood stoves
§ Gas fireplace logs and materials
§ Kitchen appliances including dryers, stoves and refrigerators
§ Heating and piping used with the central heating source
Who Else Is At Risk From Products With Asbestos?
Farmers and other agriculture workers have been exposed to asbestos since the early 1900s. Their families were put at risk from their spouses working in the industry bringing asbestos particles inside the house. Poultry farmers, dairy farmers, agricultural mechanics, farmhands and those who picked vegetables in the fields have been exposed to Asbestos.
Machinery repair and the use of it during planting is one cause of the spread of Asbestos into the environment. Old barns and farmhouses have many construction products used before the discovery of the carcinogen. All of these workers listed have had some exposure to Asbestos.
Metalworkers including welders are in contact with Asbestos doing their jobs. Welding rods are suspect to contain Asbestos, which are used to bond two pieces of metal together. Workers that shave material from metal to certain specifications were put at risk. Many of these people work in older buildings and warehouses known to contain asbestos.
Learning To Protect Yourself From Products With Asbestos
Notice all the products that could contain Asbestos. You learn by researching all this information through books, news and on the computer. You should schedule an inspection if you’re planning a remodeling project for an older home you live in. Hire an Asbestos contractor certified in the removal of building materials containing Asbestos inside of your house. All products you can find that could have Asbestos should be discarded from your home and environment. Make sure you wear safety protection from Asbestos exposure if you work in a related industry. The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) at your workplace should explain any suspect products and materials you have contact with. They should list what every chemical or product contains.
Products with Asbestos