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  Medical studies of Asbestos Exposure

 

   Introduction to mesothelioma

 

Employees Talk about Mesothelioma (Employees and Mesothelioma)

Mesothelioma is on the minds and lips of people who have worked with asbestos in the past and people who may be exposed to it presently. While there has been a considerable amount of law created to handle the risks involved with asbestos related companies, there does not seem to be much implemented to keep people from being exposed to mesothelioma.

It is important to note that the only known way to contract mesothelioma is through exposure to asbestos. Even in low levels of exposure can result in diagnosis later in life. If you or someone you know has been exposed to mesothelioma at work or anywhere else, you will need to see a doctor to test for mesothelioma and possibly contact a legal representative.

Companies Ignore Warnings about Asbestos Safety

Most of the time it is only after companies have been inspected and receive multiple warnings and fines that they actually take steps to improve safety around asbestos. It is not the people who push papers who are exposed to the substance so they are less aware of and concerned with the risks. This attitude puts lives in danger and the companies at risk for lawsuits. Only when there is danger to the cash flow is there any change in procedure. Even that is fleeting.

In addition to working with asbestos, buildings made with the fibers are not well maintained. Even in buildings that are in no way using it, people are at risk of developing mesothelioma. These include old factories, schools, government facilities and even some homes.

Insufficient Training regarding use of Asbestos

One big problem with working in and around asbestos even now is that there is often little to no training for the employees. Lack of knowledge about asbestos and how it causes mesothelioma can result in unsafe handling practices which increase the risk of exposure. Sometime employees are simply given a handbook that they never bother reading and little else to go on.

Safety uniforms are usually provided but they are not always in good condition and proper use of them is not regulated by management. Not knowing how to use the safety equipment and procedures is just as dangerous as not using them at all. People who work in high contamination areas have to make use of face masks that are incredibly uncomfortable or not well sealed. The uniforms can be bulky, hot and difficult to work in. The procedures can be confusing and not well explained. Even decontamination is a big hassle. Most employees wish there was more training and better equipment; sadly though, there is not. It often takes intervention from unions to make changes; even then it may take a strike and considerable negotiation.


Worrying About Risks of Asbestos Exposure

The main worry that we face as employees of companies that use asbestos is being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Everyone knows someone who has it from exposure and it seems like the people who are coming up with it are getting younger and younger. It used to be a disease that old men got because they worked in the factories for too long, but with the new ways of detecting cancers it is being found early.

Unfortunately, there is sill no cure but it is good to know that there are people working on better treatments. It used to be that when you got diagnosed with mesothelioma you only had a year or two at most, now you hear of people surviving the disease for five years or more. This does not make it less of a concern but it gives hope to those of us who cannot find work in other fields or industries that do not have asbestos exposure.