Asbestos Exposure
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Overview
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers found in rocks and used in a variety of products and building materials. Asbestos fibers are fire resistant and not easily destroyed or degraded by natural processes. Minuscule asbestos fibers cannot be seen or smelled, but they can be inhaled and absorbed by the skin. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to a number of diseases, including the type of lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the membrane lining the chest or lung), and asbestosis.
Asbestos was used extensively as insulation in building construction for many years until 1975, when it was replaced by other materials, such as fiberglass and slag wool. There are four types of asbestos fibers that cause respiratory disease if large amounts of fine asbestos fibers accumulate in your lungs.
More than 9 million workers are estimated to be at risk of asbestosis. People exposed to asbestos include workers in mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos and its products and those who installed asbestos products. People who installed asbestos products include pipe fitters, boilermakers, ship-builders and construction workers.
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Union calls for carpet pad inspections due to asbestos concerns
Following a shocking report about the use of asbestos-contaminated material in carpet pads, an Australian union is calling for mandatory inspections of houses to protect the inhabitants. The concerns stem from the substantial risks of asbestos exposure, which has been shown to cause the deadly disease mesothelioma.A report released this week revealed that millions of hessian bags used by the ...
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Federal Grand Jury finds firms improperly disposed of asbestos
A federal grand jury in Chattanooga, TN has handed down indictments for 2 companies involved with demolition and salvage, along with their shareholders and supervisors, for allegedly conspiring to defraud the government and violate the Clean Air Act. The charges center around the improper disposal of asbestos, which has been shown to cause the deadly disease mesothelioma.The charge details an ...
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