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Modern Day Exposure to Asbestos
Catherine A. Murphy
During the Industrial Revolution, millions of factory workers in various industries were involved in working under unhealthy conditions. As most of the industries were involved in building things ranging from cars to construction materials it also resulted in exposure to harmful gases and fibers like asbestos. Some industries were responsible for serious health hazards among their employees.
However, by the 19th century, people become aware that cancerous disease like mesothelioma was caused due to exposure to asbestos at workplace. However, it was not known then that the disease might not be detected in these workers till about 40 to 50 years. Owing to this, the number of cases started to increase after 1920s. It was indicative that the numbers were likely to only increase after that.
Current scenario of Asbestos Exposure
Owing to the stringent regulations like bans and warnings established by the government for the usage of asbestos in industries since the last 30 years, there has been considerable reduction in the number of mesothelioma cases reported on an annual basis. But usage of asbestos is still continuing in some areas like old construction sites or buildings as well as in imported automobile brakes which are manufactured in places where it is not banned as yet. Due to this there are cases of mesothelioma still prevalent in the country.
Though asbestos usage was made illegal in 1970s, it is still legal in some uses in the US. According a NIOSH study in 1989, asbestos is one of the main components in most of the automobile brakes. This results in about 155,000 mechanics and automotive garage workers being exposed to asbestos presents in these brakes. Moreover, asbestos brake pads are not yet banned by the EPA as is the case in the import of material with asbestos from other countries. These mechanics are also affected by asbestos exposure from friction materials.
Apart from being exposure to asbestos at workplace, family members are exposed to it at home as well. This is seen in people getting their home remodeled or repair and disclosure of asbestos material used in its construction is still needed while selling a house. The family members of people working in industries where there are chances of getting exposed to asbestos are also prone to its exposure indirectly thorugh their clothes. This could happen when ladies wash their clothes or children come near them.
Those involved in repair, rescue and re-establishing of material at the World Trade Center after the disaster of September 11, 2001 resulted in an increase in mesothelioma cases. While some were diagnosed with this cancerous disease, some were diagnosed with lung cancer or asbestosis. Owing to the severe exposure to asbestos, the symptoms of mesotheslioma was seen earlier and had an early diagnosis of the disease. However, this came as a respite as early diagnosed can help in better treatment of the disease.