Last updated 09/09/09
The Mesothelioma Center is an up-to-date resource for all types of mesothelioma cancers and issues ranging from mesothelioma diagnosis to treatment options. Also an up-to-date resource for all asbestos-related issues ranging from occupational exposure to the mesothelioma survival rate. For more information, you can visit the Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com .
The state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), protects workers from dangerous materials exposure. L&I's rules were adopted under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).
Nearly all employers and employees in Washington are covered by WISHA, including workers for the state, counties and cities. The Department of Labor and Industries administers and enforces WISHA through safety and health rules, called standards.
The best guide to the L&I / WISHA asbestos regulations is found in Demolition of Buildings With Asbestos-Containing Materials.
Chapter 296-62 WAC, Occupational Health Standards, Safety Standards for Carcinogens. Part I-1 Asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite requires a survey by an accredited inspector prior to demolition, identification of asbestos containing materials, work practice controls, air monitoring, respirators and protective clothing, decontamination facilities, and medical surveillance.
Chapter 296-65 WAC, has Asbestos Removal and Encapsulation Standards. These regulations are concerned with asbestos personnel training and certification, notification requirements for asbestos projects, and fees. L&I licenses and certifies asbestos workers and supervisors. Asbestos worker training standards are four days of training. Asbestos supervisor training consists of at least five days of training.
The WISHA Asbestos Certification Program contact at Labor and Industries is John Stebbins, (360) 902-5514, fax (360) 902- 5438.
Chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety Standards for Construction Work. The standards for construction include a section of standards for demolition in Part S 296-155-775 through -830. Some requirements are; an engineering survey, a written demolition plan or method of operation, and a determination whether asbestos and other hazardous materials are present at the work site. Apparent or suspected asbestos-containing materials must be removed prior to demolition. This applies to other hazardous substances as well.
Refer to the section titled Local Asbestos Regulations and Guidance, State Asbestos Regulations and Guidance, and Federal Asbestos Regulations and Guidance for regulatory information and guidance from local, state and federal government.
Asbestosis is a progressive disease involving scarring of lung tissue as a result of exposure to the microscopic fibers of asbestos. Most people with asbestos-related diseases were exposed on the job; some developed diseases from asbestos brought home from job sites. Between 1979 and 1996, asbestos caused 3,922 deaths.
"Asbestos fibers can have serious effects on your health if inhaled. There is no known safe exposure to asbestos. The greater the exposure, the greater the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.
The amount of time between exposure to asbestos and the first signs of disease can be as much as 30 years. It is known that smokers exposed to asbestos have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer than just from smoking alone.
Asbestos can cause asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs that leads to breathing problems and heart failure. Workers who manufacture or use asbestos products and have high exposures to asbestos are often affected with asbestosis.
Inhalation of asbestos can also cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen lining. It may be linked to cancer of the stomach, intestines, and rectum, as well." (American Lung Association)
Call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872).
Other Contacts for Asbestos Health Information:
The American Cancer Society :
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
National Cancer Institute The NCI, established under the National Cancer Act of 1937, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The Cancer Information Service 1-800-4-CANCER assists the public with locating answers to cancer questions. The Internet address is: http://www.nci.nih.gov/
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
National Institute of Health
National Toxicology Program, Report on Carcinogens. This report classifies asbestos as a "Known Carcinogen". The Report on Carcinogens is mandated by Section 301 (b) (4) of the Public Health Services Act for informational purposes only. Evaluations of substances in the Report are performed by scientists from the National Toxicology Program, other Federal health, research and regulatory agencies, and non-government institutions.
The report section on asbestos is available at: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s016asbe.pdf
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is concerned with asbestos contamination of foods, drugs, and cosmetics and will answer questions on these topics.
Office of Consumer Affairs, Food and Drug Administration
HFE-88 - 5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
800-532-4440 or (301) 443-3170 or www.fda.gov
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides information on asbestos in consumer products. Call the CPSC Hotline or write to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207. The CPSC Hotline has information on certain appliances and products, such as the brands and models of hair dryers that contain asbestos. Call CPSC at 1-800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter (TTY) for the hearing impaired is available at 1-800-638-8270.
Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos dust on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. Interpretation of the chest x-ray may require the help of a specialist who is experienced in reading x-rays for asbestos-related diseases. Other tests may also be necessary.
The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure. If any of the following symptoms develop, a physical examination should be scheduled without delay:
- Shortness of breath;
- A cough or a change in cough pattern;
- Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs;
- Pain in the chest or abdomen;
- Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness; and/or
- Significant weight loss.
It is important for exposed individuals to:
- Stop smoking;
- Get regular health checkups;
- Get prompt medical attention for any respiratory illness; and
- Use all protective equipment, work practices, and safety procedures designed for working around asbestos.
Information about cancer treatment is available from the National Cancer Institute-supported Cancer Information Service, 1-800-4-CANCER.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH is the federal Institute responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Specific Medical Tests Recommended by NIOSH OSHA
Information about Medical Tests for the Diagnosis of OSHA Regulated Substances such as asbestos is available from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmed/nmed0019.html or calling 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)
The NIOSH contact for Washington State is:
Fred Crumley Dept. of Health Safety Officer
P.O. Box 47816
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: (360) 236-4417
FAX: (360) 236-4088
E-mail: fgc0303@doh.wa.gov
NIOSH has an on-line report on death statistics from asbestos is http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-111/pdfs/2003-111b.pdf, with tables of national death statistics from the 2002 Work-related Lung Disease Surveillance Report attributable to pneumoconiosis. Pneumoconiosis is respiratory disease caused by dust inhalation.
"Asbestosis and mesothelioma" - "fatal lung diseases have occurred among family members of workers engaged in the manufacture of many products containing asbestos, including thermal insulation materials, asbestos cement, automobile mufflers, shingles, textiles, gas masks, floor tiles, boilers, ovens, and brakeshoes and other friction products for automobiles. Families have also been exposed to asbestos when workers were engaged in mining, shipbuilding, insulating (e.g., pipe laggers and railway workers), maintenance and repair of boilers and vehicles, and asbestos removal operations."
From the U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, National Institute For Occupational Safety And Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, September 1995, Report to Congress on Workers Home Contamination Study Conducted Under The Worker s Family Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 671a) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/contamin.html
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of contamination of workers' homes by hazardous substances transported from the workplace:
Hazardous Substances Can Contaminate Workers' Homes and Families:
- Contamination on work clothing transferred to washing machines and dryers. Dangerous levels of hazardous materials can poisoning the person handling them and contaminate other laundry.
- contamination on tools and equipment transferred to homes and vehicles
- scrap lumber taken home from work
- workers may pass dangerous materials to their family members through contact with their hands and body
- cottage industries where work was done on home property
- family members can be exposed to dangerous materials in dust or air through visits to the workplace
Prevention is best. Home decontamination is difficult and may not be effective. Results depend on the cleaning methods used, the material to be removed, and the surface to be cleaned. Soft materials such as carpet and clothing are the hardest to clean. Lead, asbestos, pesticides, and beryllium are especially difficult to remove.
Normal housecleaning and laundry usually do not succeed. Sometimes, even the strongest decontamination methods fail. Decontamination may even increase the hazard to people in the home by stirring materials into the air.
When an employer does not provide clean work clothing (for example, at a work site with exposures below the PEL), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that contaminated work clothing be handled, stored, and washed separately from all other clothing.
Refer to the following NIOSH publications for more information:
Protect Your Family--Reduce Contamination at Home, updated 02-25-1999, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/thttext.html
Worker's Home Contamination, updated 05-03-1998, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/wkhmcn.pdf
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