Mesothelioma and Carding, Lapping, and Combing Operatives
Asbestos was widely used in the textile industry until recently when there was an increased concern for people contracting Mesothelioma. Amongst those exposed to asbestos dust during the manufacturing procedure of asbestos textiles were the carding, lapping and combing operatives.
Asbestos Textiles
Before creating asbestos textiles, the asbestos fibers are fiberized or graded into different categories and other impurities are removed. Once this has been done, the carding operation takes place in which the fiberized raw material is turned into a lap (or blanket). Further impurities are also removed during this process. Once the lap has been produced and impurities removed, it can then be cut into strips and textiles produced.The Risk of Asbestos Textile Manufacturing to Carding, Lapping and Combing Operatives
During the manufacture of asbestos-containing textiles, the carding, lapping, and combing operatives are exposed to a large amount of asbestos dust from the asbestos they are working with. This dust when inhaled, can lead to many serious diseases such as Mesothelioma. Once the asbestos is confined within the textile and there is no longer any dust, there is little risk to those who use the textiles. But for the carding, lapping, and combing operatives this has come at a high risk to their health.Early Cases of Asbestos-Related Disease in Asbestos Carding, Lapping and Combing Operatives
As far back as 1900, a Dr H. Montague Murray did a post-mortem on a 33 year old man who had worked in a carding room of an asbestos textile factory. Dr Murray found him to have died due to asbestos in his lungs. This may have been one of the first modern cases of this happening, but many other cases have happened since then and it is only recently that people are becoming more aware of the dangers of asbestos.Asbestos Related Diseases- Mesothelioma
Carding, lapping and combing operatives in asbestos textile manufacturing factories were at a particularly high risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases such as Mesothelioma as their work involved a high exposure to asbestos dust which was raised through the carding process. Although possibly one of the first cases of this nature was diagnosed in 1900, for many years people continued to work with asbestos textiles. As a result many more people contracted Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.






