On one fine day, on my way back from work there was a ‘warning news’ on the radio.. “Asbestos - the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK; more people die from asbestos related diseases per year than are killed on the roads”.
I was quite shocked or bit hesitant to accept the acme of danger from asbestos. I thought of doing bit research into the facts and figures.
Some statistics as an eye opener:
In the UK,
- 4000 deaths a year cause by asbestos (as of today), the estimated peak at more than 5000 a year (by 2013).
- every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos related disease
- every week 6 electricians die from asbestos related disease
- every week 3 plumbers die from asbestos related disease
Long delay between initial exposure and diagnosis; typically 15-16 years gap.
Asbestos can form a dust and enter the lungs. Because of its tiny diameter, asbestos fibre can penetrate very deeply into the lungs. You can’t see the small thin fibres, but being exposed to fibres over a period of time can cause lung diseases.
Asbestos related diseases:
Asbestosis: lung fibrosis (irreversible scarring of the lung)
Mesothelioma: cancer of the lining of the lungs or stomach
Asbestos-related lung cancer:
Diffuse pleural thickening: restriction of the lungs leading to breathlessness
Most of the buildings could contain asbestos in different forms. Some of the common applications using asbestos are for pipeline lagging, loose packing, roofing, fire insulation, asbestos insulation board, floor tiles, gaskets and asbestos cement.
Anyone who disturbs asbestos-containing materials, for example, by working on them or near them is likely to be exposed to asbestos fibres.
Wrong notions:
Only certain types of asbestos are dangerous
Nothing to take serious about it
Anyone can handle (especially remove) asbestos
You can treat and cure
UK HSE has a campaign called ‘The Hidden Killer’ to tackle risk from asbestos. More information in the following link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/information.htm
End notes:
Avoid use of asbestos for any new build or refurbishments
Seek specialist advice and help in dealing with existing asbestos
Asbestos – a significant risk.
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About Me
- SreeRaj R Nair
- Professional practising process safety and loss prevention. Areas of expertise include: • Hazard identification, Consequence modelling and analysis • Risk evaluation (qualitative and quantitative) • Identify and evaluate cost-effective engineering solutions to reduce or mitigate risk • Emergency planning and preparedness • HSE training and audits
2 comments:
Nanotubes ‘ could be new asbestos’
Carbon nanotubes , hyped as the wonder material of this century, could present as much of a cancer risk as asbestos. The long, thin, multi-walled carbon nanotubes look like asbestos fibres and behave in the same way.
The research led by Ken Donaldson, a professor of respiratory toxicology at the University of Edinburgh have reported that long carbon nanotubes led to inflammation and the formation of lesions on the mesothelial lining of mouse’s lungs (pleura) and chest cavities. Given time, such lesions can turn into mesothelioma.
Source:
Health & Safety Monitor, July 2008
Health and Safety Work Act (HSWA) News, July/Aug 2008
Britain's youngest asbestos victim
Leigh C. (28) who has died following a two-year battle against mesothelioma is believed to be the youngest victim of the incurable, asbestos related cancer. The causes of her death are not clear. Normally, the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often do not become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure to asbestos.
There are suggestions that Leigh may have been exposed to asbestos as a child at school or when walking to primary school (there was a factory yard, where asbestos sheet cutting was undertaken, on her to school).
Source: Chemical Safety Briefing, Oct 2008
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