Aluminum Workers Mesothelioma Cancer - Aluminum Workers
Did You Know?
Asbestos has been known to cause respiratory illnesses for over 2,000 years, and has been scientifically documented since 1897.
Aluminum workers at Risk
Asbestos has been used heavily in aluminum plants, metal refining operations, steel mills, and foundries. Studies of Aluminum workers have shown that wherever high heat or fire is a hazard, asbestos is present in one form or another. Asbestos was dangerous to the health of aluminum workers, sheet metal workers, iron workers and many other trades.
According to the Asbestos Resource Center, Steel and Aluminum workers are among the highest riskof asbestos exposure. Aluminum and Steel workers have been heavily exposed to asbestos. Steam pipes, boilers, high temperature refractory furnace linings, insulation steam pipes, boilers, smelters, and steel ovens were protected by asbestos. Asbestos blankets and cloths were used to regulate the rate of cooling of metal castings.
Aluminum & Steel workers were also exposed by use of personal protective clothing such as aprons, leggings, and gloves. Aluminum workers not only have been exposed to asbestos, but also have experienced high levels of exposure.
How Aluminum Workers are at Risk
Aluminum is found in bauxiteore and strip mined and is a post-transition metal. In order to reduce the iron ore to a pure metal, it is necessary to heat the reduction cells to around 960 degrees. These reduction cells are one place in which asbestos is used for lagging, or heat shielding. Asbestos was wrapped around many these reduction cells and any conduits through which heated solution is carried.
Other Aluminum Workers at Risk
Other Aluminum workers who were employed in aluminum plants prior to 1980 may also be at risk. These aluminum plant workers include sheet metal workers, office personnel, workers who installed aluminum ductwork in the crawlspaces of buildings, insulation workers, and workers worked in the auto parts industry and construction trades that involved handling aluminum paneling more than thirty years ago may also be at risk.
List of Aluminum & Steel Plants
Arizona
- Animax Copper Smelting
- Anamax Copper Smelting
- Magma Copper Smeltering Plant
- Phelps Dodge Copper Plant
California
- Alcan Aluminum Plant - Riverside
- Kaiser Steel Mill - Fontana
- U.S. Steel Mill – Fontana
- U.S. Steel Mill - Pittsburg
- U.S. Steel Mill (formerly Kaiser Steel)
Illinois
- Allied Metal Company
- J.G. Braun Co.
- Nikkin Flux Corp.
Montana
- Anaconda Aluminum
- Anaconda Copper Mill, Anaconda
- Anaconda Copper Mill, Butte
New York
Oregon
- Cascade Steel Rolling Mills - McMinnville
- Columbia Steel Castings - Portland
- ESCO Steel Foundry - Portland
- Hannah Nickel Smeltering Plant - Riddle
- Harvey Aluminum Plant - The Dalles
- Oregon Steel Mill - Portland
- Precision Cast Parts Plant - Milwaukie
- Reynolds Metals Alum. Plant - Troutdale
- Teledyne Wah Chang Metals Plant – Albany
Utah
- Kennicott Copper Mine – Salt Lake City
Washington
- Alcoa Aluminum Plant - Vancouver
- Alcoa Aluminum Plant - Wenatchee
- Columbia Aluminum - Goldendale
- Harvey Aluminum - Goldendale
- INTALCO Aluminum - Cherry Point
- INTALCO Aluminum - Ferndale
- Kaiser Aluminum - Spokane
- Kaiser Aluminum - Tacoma
- Martin-Marietta Corporation
- Reynolds Metals Aluminum Plant - Longview
The Issue
Asbestos was a popular material used widely in construction and many other industries. If asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a product, for example in asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles, there are no significant health risks. Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are present in the air that people breathe.
Background
Asbestos is the generic name for a variety of fibrous minerals found naturally in rock formations around the world. Because asbestos fibres are strong, durable and non-combustible, they were widely used by industry, mainly in construction and friction materials. Commercial asbestos fibres belong in two broad mineralogical groups: serpentine (chrysotile) and amphibole (tremolite, actinolyte and others).
Amphibole asbestos often contains more iron and resists acid and extremely high temperatures. Because of this, it has been heavily used in industrial furnaces and heating systems. However when inhaled, amphibole fibres stay much longer in the lungs than chrysotile fibres and they are more likely to inflict damage and cause disease, including cancer. Accordingly, amphibole asbestos has been drastically controlled and largely replaced.
Chrysotile is the only serpentine asbestos that is found in almost all asbestos-based products available today and is the main form of asbestos still mined. Chrysotile is different from the amphiboles both structurally and chemically. It is generally accepted that chrysotile asbestos is less potent and does less damage to the lungs than the amphiboles.
How much asbestos is in a product does not indicate its health risk. If the asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a compound, there is no significant health risk. One of the main problems with asbestos came from sprayed or "friable" (easily broken up) amphibole asbestos used in buildings until the 1970s. People working in construction, maintenance or in the renovation of older buildings should be particularly careful when handling this asbestos.
Sources of Asbestos
Occupational
The risks are greatest for workers in industries which produce and use asbestos, such as mining and milling. In the past, workers in these environments were exposed to 100 - 1,000 times more asbestos than today's workers. Today's strict standards limit workers' exposure and the ban of most uses of amphibole asbestos have reduced the risks.
During renovations and repairs to older buildings, construction workers, tradespeople and other building maintenance workers may be exposed to very high concentrations of asbestos fibres. The environment and work methods of these occupations are more difficult to control than fixed workplaces, but most tradespeople are trained in the proper handling of asbestos-containing materials.
Environmental
Negligible levels of asbestos fibres are found in the soil, water and air, both naturally and from man-made sources. Asbestos concentrations in the air in rural areas are about ten times lower than those in larger cities, which are about 1,000 times lower than levels accepted in today's asbestos-related jobs. With such low exposure, environmental risks are negligible.
Due to natural erosion, high concentrations of chrysotile asbestos fibres may be found in some raw water supplies. Conventional water treatment methods can substantially reduce asbestos levels and there is no evidence that swallowed chrysotile fibres are a health hazard.
Buildings and Homes
Because it is a valuable reinforcing, insulating and fire-proofing material, asbestos was used widely in construction materials such as insulation board, asbestos cement, and floor and ceiling tiles. These products are very dense and do not release significant amounts of fibres under normal use. However, fibres may be released if these products are cut or damaged.
Asbestos fibre concentrations in the air in buildings are usually about the same as in the air outside, and are not a significant risk. However, levels may be higher if friable asbestos materials are disturbed.
There is also concern about vermiculite insulation which may contain small amounts of amphibole asbestos, principally tremolite or actinolite. These amphibole fibres may cause health risks if disturbed. However, there is currently no evidence of risk to your health if the insulation is sealed behind wallboards and floorboards, isolated in an attic, or otherwise kept from exposure to the home or interior environment.
The Health Risks of Asbestos
Asbestos poses health risks only when fibres are present in the air that people breathe. How exposure to asbestos can affect you depends on:
* the concentration of asbestos fibres in the air;
* how long the exposure lasted;
* how often you were exposed;
* the size of the asbestos fibres inhaled; or
* the amount of time since the initial exposure.
When inhaled in significant quantities, asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult), mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity) and lung cancer. The link between exposure to asbestos and other types of cancers is less clear.
Smoking, combined with inhaled asbestos, greatly increases the risk of lung cancer.
Minimizing Your Risk
Construction and maintenance workers should avoid creating asbestos dust from scraping, brushing, rubbing or cutting damaged insulation. Insulation damage should be reported to the appropriate authority, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Manager. If you work in this area, determine whether asbestos is present before beginning work and take appropriate precautionary measures.
Public and commercial building owners should keep an inventory of asbestos-containing materials to inform users, authorities and contractors.
Homeowners should receive expert advice before removing materials that may contain asbestos. If you think your home may contain asbestos, check regularly for signs of wear or damage. However, you can't always tell just by looking at a material. If in doubt, have it analyzed by a qualified professional, who can be found by looking up experts in "asbestos abatement /removal".
If you must handle small amounts of damaged asbestos-containing materials, follow these steps:
Keep other people and pets away, and seal off the work area
Wet the material to reduce dust, making sure it is not in contact with electricity
If possible, do not cut or damage the materials further and do not break them up
Clean the work area afterwards using a damp cloth, not a vacuum cleaner, and seal the asbestos waste and cloth in a plastic bag.
Check with your local municipality on how to dispose of asbestos-containing waste
Wash or dispose of clothing and shower after finishing the job.
Before you start any work you must make sure you know where all asbestos containing materials are.
The Health and Safety Executive says that the most common uses for asbestos are:
- Sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packaging - generally used as fire breaks in ceiling voids;
- Moulded or preformed sprayed coatings and lagging - generally used in thermal insulation of pipes and boilers;
- Sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement - generally used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel work;
- Insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, wall partitions and ducts;
- Asbestos cement products which can be compressed into flat or corrugated sheets; corrugated sheets are largely used as roofing and wall cladding; other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes, soil stacks and cold water cisterns;
- Some reinforced plastics, mastics and sealants;
- Millboard, paper and paper products used for the insulation of electrical equipment.
- Certain textured coatings, decorative plasters and paints;
- Asbestos ropes, gaskets and cloth;
- Flues;
The duty to manage is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises: the people with responsibility for protecting others who work in such premises, or use them in other ways, from the risks to ill-health that exposure to asbestos causes.
It requires the person who has the duty to:
Take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in;
Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not;
Make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos;
Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified;
Prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed;
Take the necessary steps to put the plan into action;
Periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date
Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.
Are you in charge?
Surveying for asbestos
If you are in charge or self-employed it is up to you to search the site for asbestos before work begins, or employ a suitably trained person to carry out the survey. If you are employing someone to do the survey for you, make sure they are accredited (www.ukas.com gives information on accredited firms). Remember you can only be 100 percent sure a suspected substance does not contain asbestos after laboratory analysis.
If you find asbestos containing-materials you need to assess the condition of the material and the likelihood of it being disturbed. You will also have to make a record of where the asbestos is located, its type, its form, the amount of it and what sort of condition it is in. This record has to be kept on the premises and available to be viewed at all times. If you are unsure if something contains asbestos, always presume it does until proved otherwise. If the asbestos present is asbestos insulation, asbestos coating or asbestos insulation board, contact an HSE-licensed contractor. The person in charge of the job has to decide if the work needs to be carried out by a specialist, or if those on site can do the work.
Your responsibilities
If you are in charge of a job, you need to know how to deal with asbestos and when you need to call in a specialist licensed contractor. You are responsible for ensuring those working beneath you know the risks and precautions they should take when dealing with asbestos, and know how to use respiratory protective equipment. As the person in charge you have to prevent exposure to asbestos or reduce it to an acceptable level.
When working with asbestos you need to provide clean protective clothing, respirators that fit properly and are in good working order, training on asbestos and instruction on reducing asbestos dust in the air.
If you are responsible for disposing of asbestos waste, it will have to be taken to a licensed tip in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. Asbestos waste has to be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene bags and clearly labelled as containing the substance with the label prescribed for asbestos.
Consult safety representatives if you need help in developing measures to ensure the health and safety of your employees.
What do I do if I find asbestos on site?
Although any asbestos-containing materials should have been identified before work begins, there may be some hidden materials on site that are not found until work starts. If you think you have found asbestos, STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY and alert people to its presence. Asbestos is not an easy substance to identify, so presume a material contains asbestos until proven otherwise. A sample needs to be tested by a specialist laboratory to confirm if asbestos is present.
Respiratory Protective Equipment
If you are working in a situation where asbestos could be present you should be issued with respiratory protective equipment. Respiratory protective equipment includes facemasks, hoods and helmets worn to protect your lungs from asbestos. The type of respirator you use will depend on the amount of asbestos present and the type of job. Make sure you use the right equipment for the job, or you could expose yourself to asbestos fibres.
MAKE SURE YOUR RESPIRATOR FITS AND WORKS CORRECTLY.
If it does not fit, asbestos fibres will enter your lungs and you will be putting your health at serious risk. Your employer (or yourself if self-employed) has to train you how to fit, clean, look after and use respiratory protective equipment properly, and keep this training up-to-date with refresher courses. Tests need to be carried out to make sure that your facemask fits properly (it is an employer's duty to make sure you have a face fit test before using any kind of respirator) as if you have a beard (even stubble), wear glasses or have sideburns, certain types of respirators may not fit adequately. NEVER TAKE OFF YOUR RESPIRATOR IN A CONTAMINATED AREA, the damage asbestos dust causes is irreversible and may cost you your life.
How can I protect myself if I am exposed to asbestos?
Along with the use of respirators you can take further action to prevent contact with asbestos fibres:
Dampening down asbestos-containing materials can lower the amount of fibres in the air;
Use of hand tools over power tools (power tools create more dust, it is not advisable to use them on an asbestos-containing material);
Clear up asbestos dust using a 'Type H' vacuum cleaner or damp cloths;
Clean up, as you go - don't let asbestos-containing waste build up;
Wash your hands and face when you take a break and at the end of work;
Don't take home any overalls, worn while you have been in contact with asbestos
Put asbestos waste into a suitable sealed container.
Asbestos waste has to be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene bags and clearly labelled as containing the substance With the label prescribed for asbestos;
Don't eat or drink in the work area;
Don't smoke
From A to Z list of known Asbestos Products
Did You Know?
In the mid 1920s, an English doctor made the first diagnosis of asbestosis, and this was followed by a study which showed that 25% of English asbestos workers showed signs of a related lung disease.
A
During the 20th century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in the U.S.
- Accent Panels
- AC&S Asbestos Products
- Acoustic Finishes
- Acoustical Panels
- Acoustical Plaster
- Acoustic and Stippled Finishes
- Acoustical Tile
- Acoustone Ceiling Tiles
- Adhesives
- Aeroflex
- Aerogun Insulating Mix
- AFJ Board
- Agricultural Filler
- Aircell
- Aircell Asbestos Board
- Aircell Block
- Aircell Board
- Aircell Paper
- Aircell Pipe Covering
- Aircell Sheets
- Air Cell Pipe Covering
- Aircell Zebra Pipe cover
- AirDuct Insulation
- Allbestos
- Alumi-Shield Pipe cover
- Amblerex #2 Cement
- Amblerex finishing Cement
- Antisweat covering
- Antisweat Pipe Covering
- Appliance Components
- Appliance Insulation
- Apron
- Armabestos
- Armabestos Block
- Armabestos Pipe Covering
- Armafil
- Armaflex
- Armaflex Finish
- Armaflex Pipe covering
- Armaflex sheets
- Armaflex Tape
- Armaglas
- Armaglas Flex
- Armaglas Fire Fesistant
- Armalite
- Armalok
- Armaspray
- Armatemp #10 Cement
- Armatemp 85% Magnesia
- Armatemp Block
- Armatemp Cement
- Armatemp Pipe Covering
- Armstrong 1/8" Vinyl ASBE
- Armstrong Block
- Armstrong Cal Sil
- Armstrong Fire Resistant
- Armstrong Lagging Adhesive
- Armstrong Pipe Covering
- Armstrong Products
- Armstrong Woolfelt
- Arrestone Asbestos Pads
- Artificial Fireplaces and Materials
- Asbestocel
- Asbestocel Corrugated Paper
- Asbeston
- Asbeston Cloth
- Asbestone Panels
- Asbestos
- Asbestos Blankets
- Asbestos Block
- Asbestos Board
- Asbestos Boiler Wall Coat
- Asbestos Canvas
- Asbestos Cement or Bell and Spigot Cast Iron
- Asbestos Cement Ceiling Tile
- Asbestos Cement pipe
- Asbestos Cement Soffits
- Asbestos Cellular pipe cover
- Asbestos Cloth
- Asbestos Cord
- Asbestos Corrugated Sheets
- Asbestos Curtains
- Asbestos Felt
- Asbestos Fiber
- Asbestos Fiber felt
- Asbestos Finishing Cement
- Asbestos FlatBoard
- Asbestos Forms
- Asbestos Furnace tape
- Asbestos Gaskets
- Asbestos Gloves
- Asbestos Heat bags
- Asbestos Insulating blankets
- Asbestos Insulating Cement
- Asbestos Insulation
- Asbestos Lap
- Asbestos Micarta
- Asbestos MillBoard
- Asbestos Mineral wool
- Asbestos Mittens
- Asbestos Packing
- Asbestos Pads
- Asbestos Packing
- Asbestos Panels
- Asbestos Paper
- Asbestos Paper Pipe covering
- Asbestos Pipe Covering
- Asbestos Products/Care
- Asbestos RollBoard
- Asbestos Roof Panels
- Asbestos Rope
- Asbestos Seals
- Asbestos Sheets
- Asbestos Sponge Block
- Asbestos Sponge Cover
- Asbestos Spray
- Asbestos Tape
- Asbestos Tank Jacket
- Asbestos TexTile
- Asbestos Tiles
- Asbestos Weatherproof
- Asbestos Wick
- Asbestos Yarn
- Asbestos-Faced Mineral Wool
- Asphalt
- Asphalt Floor Tile
- Atlasite Block
- Atlasite Pipe covering
- ASB Weatherproof Jacket
- Attic Insulation
- Automotive Breaks
- Automotive Clutches
- Automotive Hoodliners
- Automotive Products
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