Are Jewelers at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
Before 1980, generations of jewelers were exposed to asbestos. Many trades used asbestos in processes that required heat or soldering. Asbestos is fire-resistant and chemical resistant. Raw asbestos fibers were blended into fire-resistant molds and materials and sewn into tradesmens’ gloves and protective gear. When the deadly nature of asbestos was discovered, many jewelry tradespeople…
Read MorePublic School Staff at Risk For Asbestos-Related Diseases
Asbestos fibers are microscopic needle-like crystals that can cause serious health problems. If inhaled, they can impede the normal functioning of the lungs and other soft-tissue organs. Since the body cannot break down asbestos, the fibers often work themselves deeper into tissue until the infected area becomes inflamed and scarring (fibrosis) occurs. While asbestos is…
Read MoreGovernment Roles in Asbestos Regulation
Despite the deadly effects of asbestos use on people and the environment, asbestos has not been banned in the United States. Numerous attempts have been made by government agencies to regulate asbestos use by making it harder to obtain, restricting imports, and regulating handling and removal. Since mining operations stopped in 2002, America has relied…
Read MoreCurrent Industries And Occupations With The Highest Incidence Of Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is almost indestructible with properties that make it resistant to heat, chemicals, and breakdown. Asbestos fibers were often combined with other materials for thousands of industrial, maritime, automotive, and building products. Specific industries and occupations are associated with heavy asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of…
Read MoreAsbestos Exposure in Beaver County, PA
The number of deaths from malignant mesothelioma is very high in Pennsylvania. According to the CDC and the NIOSH Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance System statistics, the state ranks third out of all the states and District of Columbia for the number of asbestos cases. Mesothelioma is a cancer that grows in the mesothelium, a thin…
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