Many professions, like construction workers and mechanics, can require that you work with or near asbestos fibres, which may cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions. Did you know that as per the World Health Organization, global deaths due to occupational asbestos exposure exceeds 200,000? This statistics shows how fatal asbestos exposure can be.
In this blog, we have discussed asbestos exposure and what measures to take if you are accidentally exposed.
A] What is Asbestos, and What Does it Do to Your Body?
Asbestos is a mineral fibre that occurs in rocks and soil, has strong, long fibres, and is heat-resistant. Due to its properties, it was used as a building construction material for insulation and as a fire retardant. Asbestos fibres are easily inhaled and can be carried to the lower part of the lung, which can cause the following health conditions:
- Asbestosis
- Fibrotic lung disease
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Pleural Plaques
- Pleural Effusion
B] Short-Term V/S Long-Term Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos-related diseases are typically caused after months or years of regular exposure; thus, one-time asbestos exposure generally isn’t a serious risk. Short-term exposure rarely causes diseases unless it’s a major disaster with extreme exposure. Moreover, short-term exposures can add up as asbestos exposure accumulates over a period of time.
On the other hand, long-term asbestos exposure is dangerous and can lead to serious diseases. Many factors play a role in developing an asbestos-related disease, including the duration of exposure and the concentration of fibres inhaled. The majority of the people who get sick from exposure have worked heavily with asbestos for most of their careers.
C] Steps to Minimise Exposure if You Touch Asbestos
If you have accidentally exposed yourself to asbestos, adopt the following measures to minimise exposure –
- You must stop touching the material and move away to avoid any further exposure, which can do more harm.
- Do not try to clean or remove the asbestos-containing material, as doing so can release more fibres into the environment. Thus, get as far as possible from the material and don’t move it around.
- If you are wearing clothes that were exposed to asbestos, gently remove them and place them in a sealed plastic bag to avoid further exposure.
- Wash your hands and body with soap and water, and immediately take a shower to remove any fibres that might result from the exposure.
- Sometimes, the exposed person might start cleaning the asbestos dust, which is risky and not recommended. The only way to clean the fibre dust is by using wet-cleaning methods and specialised HEPA vacuum cleaners that asbestos specialists use.
- Close off the area where asbestos is located and inform anyone who may have been in the area about the risk of potential exposure.
- Look for any symptoms that might indicate health issues after asbestos exposure. These symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- It is recommended to reach out to a professional who can assess the situation and perform asbestos removal with proper safety measures.
D] Essential Tips for Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is a serious process that involves a lot of planning and strict compliance with the safety measures containing the following factors -.
- Sealing the area using 1000 guage polyethylene sheeting, duct tape, and negative air pressure machines is advisable.
- Asbestos removal is a specialised task that should only be performed by professionals. It requires proper equipment and safety measures to prevent the spread of harmful particles. Using regular vacuums, even with HEPA filters, is unsafe for this purpose. Always trust trained experts for safe and effective asbestos removal.
- Asbestos removal requires professional expertise. Asbestos should be packed in water-tight bags and labelled ‘CAUTION-Hazardous Waste,’ a task that trained specialists must handle to ensure safety.
- Leaving asbestos removal to the experts is crucial to ensure safety and proper handling.
These are the prevention and removal steps for someone exposed to this mineral fibre. However, prevention is better than cure, and organisations should conduct thorough asbestos surveys of their locations to ensure safe working conditions. At Scopus, we have a dedicated UKAS accredited testing laboratory and conduct UKAS accredited asbestos surveys and manage removal processes so that your work site is not exposed. You can contact our consultants for assistance with risk assessments, survey data captures, and site audits and make your location/property safe for your workers.