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Nevada Worker Safety Asbestos

June 1st, 2007 Posted by Amelia

Many employers and employees in the automobile repair industry may have questions about an advisory issued recently that pertained to Nevada Worker Safety.

Why was the advisory issued?

Many mechanics and other workers in the auto repair business may not realize that some older trucks and cars have asbestos in their brakes and clutches. This asbestos poses a hazard to the health of workers who handle or are around this substance.

Hasn’t asbestos been around a long time?

Yes, for centuries asbestos has been used in many industries. Because it has fire-resistant properties, asbestos has been used in such diverse items as candle wicks and Egyptian burial clothes. According to legend, Charlemagne use asbestos to create a tablecloth. After meals, the tablecloth would be tossed along with the remains of the meal directly into the fire. Since the tablecloth was made of asbestos, it would survive the flames.

Why is asbestos suddenly considered dangerous?

As more research has been done in the last few decades, it has come to light how dangerous this substance can be. Asbestos breaks very easily, and the tiny fibers and dust can be inhaled. Once inside the body, asbestos can cause damage and disease.

Do many people die from asbestos-related illnesses?

Yes, exposure to asbestos causes many deaths. In fact, yearly in the U.S. around 10,000 people die of diseases related to exposure to asbestos. These diseases include cancer of the gastrointestinal system and the lungs, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is very rare. But as people who have been in contact with asbestos grow older, this disease is appearing more often. Mesothelioma is when cancer forms in the lining that protects our internal organs, also known as the mesothelium. In addition, these malignant cells can form in the linings of the abdomen and the heart.