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Mesothelioma: A Risk All Firefighters Face

Few people understand that the risk of asbestos exposure is not one of the past. Indeed, while the Consumer Product Safety Commission organized legislation in the late 1970’s which banned asbestos containing materials (those which contain 1% or more asbestos), these products are still construction components of many of the homes and buildings we occupy each day. In fact, studies indicate 78% of structures built prior to 1980 have at least some asbestos containing materials within their construction.

This poses a clear danger to those who work and remodel older structures, but it also poses a less obvious danger. When a home or building is damaged by fire, these asbestos containing materials may become damaged. Contrary to popular belief, asbestos, when its compounds are maintained, poses little danger as the dangerous fibers are unlikely to become airborne. Fire can damage asbestos containing materials to the point where they can easily become airborne, both during a fire and during a cleanup of the site.

While anyone in the vicinity could potentially inhale this dangerous toxin, it is more likely firefighters who are in the last stages of extinguishing the fire (during which proper protective equipment is not always worn) or those who clear away rubble and debris, are at the highest risk of exposure. For this reason it is important to understand which materials most often contained asbestos. While it was most commonly used in insulation compounds, asbestos was also used in roofing shingles, floor or ceiling tiles, drywall, and home siding. Its uses were nearly endless, as it was highly fire retardant. Nevertheless, fire or other temperature extremes can weaken these construction components under the right conditions.

Asbestos exposure can lead to a variety of health complications, including pleural mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that originates in the lining of the lung. In addition to mesothelioma, exposures have been conclusively linked to asbestosis and other respiratory disease. Being aware of the danger is the best thing one can do to guard against exposure. Those who work in high risk occupations, such as those above, should consult regularly with a physician about their specific exposure risk.

This article has been provided by Mesothelioma.com. Please visit their website for more information on steps you can take if you have been affected by asbestos exposure.