Asbestos Continues to be a Real Threat for the Construction Industry

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September 6, 2007

The only true way to safeguard yourself against mesothelioma is to make certain you never come in contact with the parent of the disease: asbestos. Although the use of asbestos has been strictly regulated in the past several decades after the pulmonary disease mesothelioma began to manifest itself in those who were known to work around asbestos, there remains a threat to a section of people who make their living working in asbestos-laden areas.

For those men and women working in construction, asbestos remains a very serious threat. Construction workers are sometimes expected to demolish older buildings in which asbestos was used as a method of insulation and in manufacturing fire-resistant products. As construction workers enter older sites, the act of removing or knocking down walls filled with asbestos insulation sends tiny particulates into the air. Because of the small nature of asbestos fibers, inhalation of the material is common and easily attained. For those who think they may be employed at worksites where asbestos was used, a respirator mask can be worn to filter the air and minimize the risk of particle exposure.

Once the construction worker has exited the suspected asbestos site, it is important to remember asbestos particles may continue to linger on clothes, hair, and skin. Proper washing of the body and the laundering of clothes should be executed to avoid secondary contamination of the worker and other members of the worker’s family once they return home. Workers can minimize skin and hair contamination by wearing long sleeves and pants while working with the addition of a protective covering for the head, such as a hat or bandana. A good idea is to keep a plastic bag in the work vehicle with a fresh change of clothes. The clothes can then be removed and bagged before taking into the home to be washed.

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