Document 3Qy3yjZNpKe7Bq0OXev3z4KV6

t.O A M2y*Jur,c 1972 Vo!. 21 No. 3 CU.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupations! Setety and Health Administration Target Health Hazards ASBESTOS: RNE DANGER C SCF-ALLF-03980 "  - *.* _w V***5?.- ^i .'vriv. . ..C -' v*tv--: *-*rr ' -* i,-* -r . J' - - - *"; -.r- . 1 /- V .. . r : - vc Target Health Hazards Lv> l? O tv ^ O u RnrcV^rtsrir.^r* (Tiinrn rvnrf* ZslUiJ LUil^L1 UUti7 iJ^lSdUiir^v-7ii V* ifrtu iYnihil 9 ' > '*- * *).' . A. tS ''*< JbWa Two thousand years! asbestostfwas.jccorde3- Groekskwhoiuscd^As^^tg temple lamps, were enthralled consume it, but burned . , .* ;^\, V'T?':"K' ?: ~ " !o&*fi!$foi88@ nsase G0& 8a B 335? fp:@ ofesfl 00 (gecfe $3w <2D &Sh[tia53Kifemi(fe^ SfessBB sbs& e gIjessoshic^^ ^55? rfipft IW<3 yVryri> &QS) (iS&! jffdvmnalttwdfld ^fesse sa-3 3-@^dS386a8fia^GSSfci F&K*te hM See &S3 ~ ~~~sSM]DS OEftSG^^SfifeGSi G(feS63mft GExiag tesfesfea ^sofea fe dtes Qs> u*5 osegge^. (35 8b OaB to (*0ffi33? Gfi (fi gtofflGS (35 8b QaB G*> @333S 3S*p (3$ GSfeglsfe fcS3 Siesfete ras&ss S3sfc SlIiSQeG^S^'QSHigSS^ (&SQgsHO^QS)^asilfe^ . W&GcOeM GSffioa&g oefe fesi) Q^3g33K&&gfe&Q3) s OS80^, z&m &&sm age aes gafl a ssogois % e fe Osikgfc (31fc{^ sh ggs zx-sM gG5= r. o will not be known until the end of the century; but tho high mortality rates of today suggest what may bo expected in the future. If working conditions ate not significantly altered, asbestos exposure can lead to 17,000 dcatlts from lung cancer, 10,000 deaths from cancer of the pleura and peritoneum, and 20,000 dentils from asbestosis, according to projections by Dr. E. Cuvier Hammond of the American Cancer Society. * The first case of asbestosis did not come under medical attention until 1000,3*2 years after asbes tos was mined on a large-scale basis. The victim, a British textile worker, had inhaled the asbestos dust stirred up by the carding machine he had operated for 14 years. Ten other men had been his c co-workci-s in the carding room. All died before their thirtieth birthdays. . Since the recognition of asbestosis 73 years ago, the disease has been widely studied the world over, from the mines of South Africa to the mills of dTlQucboc. Today experts beliere that asbestosis is 's"'one of the most debilitating of the pneumoconio ses--lung diseases caused by dust inhalation. Erupting 30 to SO years after the exposure period, the disease exhibits no warning symptoms to mark Its early stages. Many studies hare uncovered cases of the disease in which the exposure was relatively light and did not continue over an extended period of time. Although four varieties of asbestos are used commercially, chrysotilc asbestos, mined primarily In Quebec, accounts for 05 percent of world pro . duction. CTmler high magnification, chrysotile fibers resemble fine polished wire or strands of silk. . Strong, soft and flexible, they can be woven into fabric. Chrysotilc, however, is dangerous medically.. When inhaled, the needle-like fibers become . trapped in the lower bronchioles of the lungs. Nor mally, protective cells called phagocytes destroy . May-June 1972 J'; ` .s". j i r f* < *'/ I if .**#**./**-, j,* | I-?.-.:**-* % w m .U ;. r * * x ( ; ?J f. ' . 'V l l' - A -MU VV1* * | . - X- 7 : '*, v W .. / ..t.y ' -v is# . a . -j %. s .**.* :A \ t. * * " . 7, *J /% . *: ` 4 * ! ' . *%.#?V * Vi 1. -h . i . . . \\1 * 1 \ . w * * ! >*1 ^-j i *V t fin The etlctlut uorlcr wising cement it partially protected by a rctplrator. The aslestos filers in the air, hoiecrer, endanger his fclloic employees, fust as his dust-luden elathes area menace to his family. Xcie OSIJA standard rcQuirct that atlc*tas materials le wised In elated containers. "The effects of exposures occurring in the 1970's probably trill not be Inoim until the end oj the century; but the high mortality rates oj today suggest tthat may be expected in thefuture." such irritants. But asbestos fibers arc indestructi ble in lung tissue. The phagocytes form a heavy coating around the fibers. In time, a dumb-bell shaped structure known as a ferruginous body begins to form. Asbestosis develops when the scar tissue that forms around asbestos fibers slowly spreads throughout the lung and pulls it out of shape. The working space for air exchange is reduced, and blood flowing through the lungs is not replenished with a sufficient amount of oxygen. Breathlessness becomes pronounced, and in advanced stages can be disabling. Other symptoms are loss of weight, coughing, weakness, and pain in the chest or be tween the shoulders. The strain on the heart caused by the lack of oxygen may cause heart failure. Recent studies indicate that asbestos also may be potent carcinogenic, or cancer-producing agent. A major stumbling block to researchers in establishing the connection between asbestos and cancer has been the length of time between ex posure to the substance and the appearance of cancer symptoms. But in the last few years, studies - have shown that workers exposed to asbestos die of lung cancer at more than five times the expected rate. Although most cancers linked to asbestos de velop in the lower portions of the lungs, where the concentration of fibers is heaviest, cancer may also develop in the gastrointestinal tract. ' The peril of lung cancer from asbestos exposure is increased by smoking. Tests conducted by Soli- koff and Hammond have shown that asbestos in sulation workers who smoke have TO times the incidence of lung cancer compared to smokers with no asbestos exposure. ' Mesothelioma, formerly a rare cancer afflicting only one out of 10,000 people, is now appearing at an unprecedented rate. Researchers arc linking it to asbestos exposure, however slight This fatal cancer attacks the pleura (the membrane lining the lung and chest cautv) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity). Jtn his study, Scli- koff noted that 10 out of 124 dcatlis of insulation workers were caused by mesothelioma. Workers in many occupations encounter serious asbestos exposures. Among the establishments most likely to have asbestos risks arc those manufactur ing asbestos textiles, value packings, asbestos Wrong: Spraying atbcitot tnixturct on tied ginten rdeatet vett emountt of otbettot dutt into the elmotphcrc. Atletlot ill tuta tort teho emote hove 90 time* more long cancer than tmolert with no eilcttoicrpotvre. 4 "Since the recognition of asbeslosis 72 years ago,,the disease has been widely studied the world civr, from the mines oj South Africa to the mills of Quebec. Today experts beliciv that asbestos!s is one of the most debilitating of the pneumoconioses--lung diseases caused by dust inhalation sheets, broke linings, boiler blankets, building; materials and appliance cords. Plasterers who spray an asbestos mix on the steel foundations of buildings have heavy exposures to asbestos. A thermal insulation and fireproofing agent, the asbestos mix prevents the steel from buckling in case of fire. Plasterers can apply it without interrupting construction activities, and tho asbestos mixture hardens in eight hours with out crocking or shrinking. Not only steel buildings, but ships and boats arc treated in this manner. Now that asbestos has been recognized as a major health hazard, the alarming facts about this prac tice are being reviewed. Three million pounds of the fireproofing mixture, 30 percent of which is chiysotilc asbestos, was sprayed in 1070. Twentyfivo percent of the material sprayed does not # adhere to the sted, but goes directly into the atmosphere. Tho plasterers manning the spray guns, as well as the construction workers toiling near-by, inhale excessive amounts of asbestos dur ing this operation--up to 50 million fibers in on eight hour day. But the hazard does not end with r~icontruction. A large amount of asbestos is expected to be set free during demolition of tho buildings and ships treated in this manner. Asbestos sprayinghas been banned in some cities, but continues unabated in others. The use of alter nate methods of application--trowelling a wet mixture of asbestos on the foundation or wrapping insulation around the steel in the form of blan kets--is being encouraged to reduce the hazard. Brake mechanics must also cope with significant levels of airborne asbestos. Valuable because of its resistance to heat and its ability to withstand abra sive force, chrysotile asbestos makes up 50 per cent of brake lining material. However, the fric tion breaks asbestos fibers away from the fabric. Many mechanics remove the asbestos fibers that have accumulated around the brake drums and as semblies with a compressed air hose. This produces a cloud of asbestos dust around the mechanic and anyone in his working area. Alternate cleaning methods are needed; for example, a vacuum clean ing device reduced the hazard in recent tests in England. - Insulation workers are the largest single occu pational group to handle asbestos on the job. Their May-June 1972 Bight: Troircting a tcet asbestot ml* on pipetfor insulation purpotet tjjccih ciy reduce! the hazards. 5 'ft fs mimp-/ ?v 'y? t . ' F * - ~-i t% P--I \ 1 ! i ./ .` ^ .'hfV . (i -^;r ] : \V . ' o^ ' -v . ^J-,--j. - v-- i .V 1 *- , *; 'J4=, !--^ i IfegfttSMtiWtcM' a. local, vcnlilaii'jn njttcni tuck* up, ) -f. <#v - VOrkenvironment.* Tbe^^j&^^^sik^^kglSSiSsd 6<nlcifOjM<lui<Atntola..con>qincr.j. r;ie,,0i/.4^ ja ndord _ ^ - !j ** i'i^" `.a^ vw_____p_r_o--te.c.t.i.o.n..;..l.ut iUUiUi l^/ UUJU XAJLmJttUJ VJJ l^rcat.lo otherton tlicictfoktiu;} *'+ &s^.'+i ' i ' V, ' CGG&fiEO 0x0 CWCQ 03 G$&Q33 CSfiG &GEC GSS&ZO GSioaMfeooa^ ^ . '. ' 1 1 . 90 exposures, however, Sfe Mtefca QSSflffOlj^^ BcSIfe Gffi teHSig types of insulation, a^c^' jl * ^IB^ijS&BSS^GBQ (*b^Q^s@aaasS gGft0B> S30& dltecftaB^ qssqsqp , ' binding agent and nvn?cs___e_a_f_t_?_3_S__g_S__R_s_a_aksS &g0ea*qggsesses '* j y " asbestos on a dailv,bask 1^($03SHKg^ -_,, -. _, <-> ' GS2IDE " 3^b3ed^g8. 3~r\B3efiG-OG..^^ /iO . . O "'': r 1 *' precautions: good housekeer ' affiSSOS^) QKfe r&ndares-^HOHconsi'rucuonisuesKoroxaim'JicsioiwvioiiKe ssQg) dustv ^Q3& so eaSg^ gso^sG^ ____________________ ,, ___ _ tressed by tlicir um^g "When insulation workers SsS^areGaoMfe <$ar& QiDa5ffl^ (MS& sBaaCtoi!' Ife? tabling n liigh percem^re fesaD b SsssSkg? % SsEssoa Qa jp^Sfe* use a water spray omlu*KloygiIi c3StssC[E(&ffl efi o^fca^ Ste (Ite or uncovcnnjr it. Some^ msulatioiT 3 &m W. a Q fflfess @xsGa? asbestosfiounWipmm oagsaSis sates Ss 9aqg& gxg? ssffiSBoafe 'tfflfctefe dfe (Sb 33S0 GffifiSGiM! fo fc dfeSEStM sSfeS fee3fi (33 $ 03@3 (S^eSESSCiltegilbSG^^ &3H? 'safe (ife^ 3ieaiOo5ites oyp gLB^D^sm dMfe9& GOisp s. 85%, a c9ee^? KE)g3 {feUB & Ste 0? caSffiffis? (fe a ESS gfedS533H^te^ g2G3iite^fe80lte r#wR $rr? (_ ___ SSB QD (Sfi oasfl eS ete s^xesegs sao^ (fetes ' 9issiiMaB 6 ^ecfeB _ Q0sfe3 (Sh JJGSSEXUSiffi 5^^aaa|Bs s^iaEQes <sa -GstoSosCfefflaiecife^ 23 ^sflte] aSks ffisQe ^qcg@^ QB&SnX^, '58333B gS^p&EgoG)fi fesfi Q^tfiOS Q?dbffifi 0@3^(SB63gte@Q^^ QsS&o. 93gfig%p(Js^ss ffi fe <&*D "visafesss G^isescfi ^(& of? s^sa^, ta?; 6 @Q33jM6 V, . . 'r J. f -V :-^r J |o the demolition of pipes, slructurcs.or equipment previously sprayed with asbestos. Tbo emergency standard requires that the cm* ploycr check the respiratory devices for proper fit and train employees in their correct use. Peri* odic inspections, proper cleaning, repairing and storing of the respiratory devices arc responsibilitics of the employer. The standard also specifics that hand or power* operated tools that produce asbestos dust--saws, scorers, abrasive wheels, and drills--must be quipped with local exhaust ventilation and dust collectors. When asbestos is mixed with other products--such as cement, mortar, grout or plastic--the mixing must be done in closed con* tainers. Cleaning up the debris by dry sweeping or blowing it away is prohibited. Any accumula tion of asbestos dust roust be removed rapidly by vacuum cleaners. Asbestos waste must be disposed, of iu sealed containers. The OSHA Standards Advisory Committee for Asbestos has recommended an exposure limit of two fibers greater than 5 microns in length per cubic centimeter. Tins proposal, based on a KIOSH criteria document, would not be effective for two years, in order to allow the installation of the neccssaly engineering controls. The committee, representing government, labor and industry, also suggested that the future standard include a pro gram of comprehensive medical surveillance re quiring pre-emploj-ment medical examinations of applicants, periodic medical evaluations of work ers, and medical records to be kept by employers for the use of OSHA and XIOSH. c The research and mortality studies of today have tarnished the reputation of this magic mineral, once the object of fabulous tales. One/legend re* volres around the tablecloth of Charlemagne, the eighth-century ruler of tire Holy Homan Empire. When the doth woven from asbestos fibers was thrown into the flames, it was withdrawn not only intact, but whiter and deoner than before. Charle magne used this piece of "witchcraft" to mystify his guests as well as to intimidate his enemies in order to win psydiological battles. The jump from ancient legend to contemporary knowledge about asbestos is a tremendous ad vance--except in one area. Our ability to combat the disasterous effects of asbestos on the human system is still negligible. The mystery surround ing asbestos continues, today, but the price is not in lost battles but in lost working lives. Wrong: A tier/or Amt conceit cith other dclrlt on a eomtruetlon tile. The ctcaning end Dcccping proem rcfiei Won if 0/ etlcrtot durt, endangering the employed end the community. May-June 1972 Right: The ncio OSUA standard requiret that arlcitot debris be removed in doted containers or flattie bags. 7