This poses a severe exposure risk to auto mechanics as the inhalation of asbestos dust can lead to serious illnesses like asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive and painful cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs.
Exposure occurs when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged. When this happens, dust filled with microscopic asbestos fibers is released into the air. As there is continual abrasion on brake pads and clutches, a large portion of the toxic material is trapped inside the brake housing or clutch space, and is then released when replacement or repair work is performed. Airborne asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and can even be ingested. Ingesting asbestos is the only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Symptoms usually do not show up until 15 to 25 years after exposure and the cancer is usually in advanced stages by the time it is diagnosed. As a result, mesothelioma doctors often find it difficult to treat the cancer effectively. It is estimated that since 1940 more than six million mechanics have been exposed to asbestos in brakes. Those exposures are now resulting in about 580 asbestos-related cancer deaths a year. Deaths caused by exposure to asbestos brake products had been originally been expected to peak around the year 2012, however, because asbestos is still used in some brake products being sold today, it could mean the deaths will continue to climb.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a detailed brochure that offers information regarding OSHA's regulations for commercial automotive shops concerning asbestos.
0 comments:
Post a Comment