Asbestos Plant Workers and Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos plant workers are exposed to asbestos regularly throughout their day-to-day work. Regardless of the individual’s specific role, asbestos plant workers are in an environment where asbestos is routinely disturbed, sending dangerous microscopic fibers into the air.
While all asbestos plant workers are exposed to asbestos, some roles put people at higher risk.
Science has linked total asbestos consumption to a person’s likelihood of developing asbestos-related diseases. In other words, the more often a person is exposed, the more likely they are to develop mesothelioma.
The following is a list of asbestos products, in order of likely asbestos consumption:
- Asbestos cement
- Friction (including brakes)
- Sealants
- Textiles
- Waterproofing
Individuals who worked with asbestos cement are significantly more likely to develop mesothelioma than those working with textiles, sealants, friction, and waterproofing products.
However, all types of asbestos manufacturing may have exposed plant workers to deadly asbestos fibers.
Asbestos manufacturing today is much safer than it was in the past, as much tighter environmental and health regulations help protect employees.
Unfortunately, the dangers of asbestos weren’t fully made public until the 1970s, and these regulations were too little too late for many workers. Even today, modern asbestos plant workers are still at some risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.