One gets mesothelioma from being exposed to asbestos. So prevention for getting the disease is choosing to avoid exposure to asbestos and eliminating sources of asbestos to be exposed to. Asbestos is not gone from the environment or workplace even after the many limitations that have been placed on its use. Asbestos has not been banned in the United States even though there has been a growing body of medical research, cancer cases, and well documented dangers at it.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling on July 12, 1989 to ban nearly all products containing asbestos.
But in 1991 this rule was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and consequently only the following six specific asbestos-containing product categories remain banned; many other products containing asbestos continue to be sold and manufactured today in the U.S.:
- Commercial paper
- Specialty paper
- Rollboard
- Flooring felt
- Corrugated paper
- New uses of asbestos
The North American Free Trade Act allows for the continued use of asbestos in the manufacture of products for Canada and Mexico since neither country has banned the use of asbestos products, and these products are available today in the United States. Some products not banned for asbestos use include:
- Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet
- Asbestos-cement flat sheet
- Asbestos clothing
- Pipeline wrap
- And Roofing felt.
The U.S. EPA Asbestos Building Inspectors Manual has identified chrysotile or white asbestos as making up 95% of the occurrences found in U.S. buildings. The second most common form of asbestos is amosite, or brown asbestos. A sample of products that you may find containing asbestos are:
- Ceiling tiles
- Fireproofing and fire resistant drywall
- HVAC systems
- Brake pads
- Roofing tars, felts, siding, and shingles
- Panels, siding, countertops, and pipes
- Caulk
- Clutch plates
- Fire blankets
- Vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, and adhesives
- Interior fire doors
- Gaskets
- Asbestos gloves
- Thermal pipe insulation
- Fire proof clothing
You need to know if you or your family members have been in contact with asbestos because it is still being used in many products and can be found in many locations. The best way to protect your family and yourself from the risk of mesothelioma is to become completely aware that asbestos is still considered to be the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma cancer. While there are still some products with asbestos that are not banned, the EPA does not track the manufacture, processing, or distribution of products that contain asbestos. That is your responsibility as a consumer and a worker.
The Federal Government agency responsible for defining safe work standards as well as regulating these standards is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
This organization has regulations for asbestos exposure on the job, particularly for occupations in construction work and shipyards. The standard requires employers to comply with procedures to protect employees from inhaling asbestos fibers. Employers must measure and monitor the concentration of airborne asbestos at work. They must keep OSHA regulations with preventive actions for employees like requiring workers to wear facemasks to minimize exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.
A copy of the EPA safety standard and the booklet, Asbestos Standards for Construction (OSHA 3096) are available to you and your employer at: OSHA Publications, PO Box 37535, Washington, DC 20013-7535, phone: (202) 693-188, fax: (202) 693-2498, or by website at: http://www.osha.gov .
Are you in the construction building trades or related jobs? You may still be exposed to asbestos. Get material tested for asbestos!
