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How Can a Hazardous Materials Worker Get Mesothelioma by Occupational Exposure to Asbestos?
Hazardous materials removal workers identify materials that are contaminated by toxins like asbestos, lead and radioactive waste and dispose of them in conformance with local, state and national standards. They may test materials to determine the safest way to clean them up.
These workers may be called out to remove hazardous materials from construction projects or environmental hazards. They may also clean contaminated equipment and reuse them. These workers package, transport or store these materials.
Additionally, hazardous materials removal workers may work to clean up areas after a natural disaster, like a flood or hurricane or man-made disasters like train wrecks or bombing. Through these job activities, workers may come in contact with asbestos from contaminated materials as they transport them.
A subgroup of these workers called asbestos abatement workers specifically remove asbestos from homes and other buildings, which were originally built with asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. They apply chemicals to walls, ceilings and other surfaces to soften asbestos to make it suitable for removal.
Locations in the United States for the Highest Employment Rates for Hazardous Materials Workers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently more than 45,900 hazardous materials removal workers employed in the United States. There is a projected 11% anticipated growth rate for this profession expected to occur between 2018 and 2028.employed in the United States. States with the highest employment rates for hazardous materials removal workers include:
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
Similar Occupations as Hazardous Materials Workers
Similar occupations as hazardous materials workers include the following:
- Construction laborers and helpers
- Firefighters
- Insulation workers
- Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Hazardous Materials Workers and Mesothelioma
After the 9/11 terrorist attack, the city filled with a plume that contained thousands tons of asbestos and other dangerous toxins. Tens of thousands of people were affected by this, including many first responders. Likewise, hazardous materials workers who removed these dangerous materials could have breathed in these harmful chemicals and toxins. Settlements involving victims who developed mesothelioma and other serious medical conditions linked to these attacks have resulted in over $1 billion to those injured and their families.
Studies Related to Hazardous Materials Workers and Asbestos
There have been a few scientific studies completed on the negative health consequences of disaster relief workers. For example, in “Hurricane debris and the environment: understanding impacts 3 years post Katrina,” the researcher noted the need to develop and implement a monitoring plan after residents were exposed to asbestos during Hurricane Katrina and the need for more guidelines on how to safely dispose of materials after a natural disaster.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns against burning materials after a hurricane due to the possibility of releasing asbestos fibers. Health departments warn about the possibility of asbestos exposure after flooding. Since hazardous materials removal workers often work in disaster relief efforts, they could be exposed to many of these same hazards.
Types of Asbestos Products Used by Hazardous Materials Workers
Hazardous materials workers may have come in contact with asbestos from a variety of products. Some of the most common types of products that contained asbestos include the following:
- Automotive materials – Automotive parts like brake pads, clutches, gaskets, valves and hoodliners often contained asbestos.
- Cigarettes – Some brands of cigarettes used filters that were made with asbestos.
- Construction materials – Thousands of construction materials were once made with asbestos, including flooring, ceiling and roofing tiles, as well as the adhesive used to secure these tiles to the surface. Additionally, asbestos was added to products like cement, joint compound and mortar mix to make materials stronger. A large source of asbestos exposure to hazardous materials workers is asbestos insulation. Asbestos was also included in adhesives, felt, vinyl products and drywall.
- Consumer goods – Asbestos was also contained in a variety of consumer goods, such as home appliances, hair dryers and decorative items.
- Health and makeup – Some makeup products contained asbestos. Other health products may have included contaminated talcum powder.
- Plastics – Asbestos plastics included cookware and tools.
- Shipbuilding materials – The Navy once included more than 300 asbestos-containing products in its standard shipbuilding inventory.
- Textiles – Asbestos was used to produce cloths and garments to make it resistant to heat and corrosive chemicals. Blankets, rope, fireman suits and protective clothing all contained asbestos.
While the United States largely banned most uses of asbestos during the 1980s, all uses of asbestos products have not been completely phased out, so these workers may still continue to be exposed to asbestos.
Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used by Hazardous Materials Workers
Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that hazardous materials workers may have come in contact with include:
- P. Green Industries
- Baldwin-Ehret-Hill
- Federal Mogul Corporation
- Fibreboard Corp.
- Fisher Scientific Company
- Flintkote
- Forty-Eight Insulations
- Gaf-Ruberoid
- General Refractories Company
- Georgia Pacific Corporation
- Hamilton Materials, Inc.
- Johns-Manville
- Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc.
- Kelly-Moore Paint Company
- H. Detrick Company
- Montello, Inc.
- National Gypsum Company
- Owens Corning
- Owens-Illinois
- Philip Carey Company
- Plibrico Company
- Sherwin-Williams Paint Company
- Synkoloid Company
- Union Carbide Corporation
- S. Gypsum Company
- R. Grace & Co.
Zurn Industries, Inc.
