labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Many people may not realize that older cars and trucks pose a danger to mechanics, but they do according to a South Dakota Worker Safety advisory released recently. According to this alert, the danger is asbestos, which can be present in the brakes and clutches of cars and trucks that are older.

For hundreds of years, the mineral asbestos has been used for its fire-resistant properties. Ancient lamp wicks, Egyptian burial cloths, even the tablecloth of Charlemagne were all made with asbestos. In more recent times, brake pads and clutches in cars used asbestos as a way to avoid fires. Although most late model cars do not use asbestos, parts in older cars may contain this material.

Asbestos is dangerous because it easily breaks into small particles that can become airborne and then inhaled by workers. The asbestos particles are too tiny to see, but once inhaled, they can cause mechanics and other workers to have permanent damage. In the U.S. every year, 10,000 deaths are caused by diseases that are related to asbestos. These diseases include lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

Workers exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma. This form of cancer is rare, but its occurrence is becoming more prevalent. Internal organs are impacted by the asbestos, which causes cancerous cells to form in the linings that protect these organs. In addition, this cancer can form in the linings around the abdomen and the heart.

Most people who have mesothelioma came into contact with the fiber or dust from asbestos. Moreover, the families of these workers can contract the disease since the workers’ clothing is washed at home.

Another disease caused by exposure to asbestos is asbestosis. This disease causes inflammation to occur in lung tissue. Asbestosis develops following heavy, extended exposure to asbestos. Workers in the mining industry may experience this sort of exposure. Because it impacts workers, asbestosis is considered an occupational lung disease.

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