Asbestos and Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Electrical and electronic engineers are engineers specializing in electricity and electrical equipment. Asbestos has excellent electrical resistance properties and was often used in electrical insulating wire and in motors to separate electrical components. During the course of their employment, many electrical and electronic engineers would have been exposed to asbestos containing materials and may have an increased risk of contracting Mesothelioma.
Electrical and electronic engineers are those engineers who are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and supervising the use of electrical systems and electronic devices. In general, the difference between an electrical and electronic engineer is that the electrical engineer will deal with larger-scale projects such as power transmission and motor control, whereas the electronic engineer will deal with smaller electronic systems and devices.
The Exposure of Electrical and Electronic Engineers to Asbestos
Due to its ability to resist electrical current, asbestos was often used in electrical devices and motors in order to separate the different electrical components. Asbestos was also often used in electrical insulating wire, and so electrical and electronic engineers were quite often exposed to asbestos containing materials.
The Danger of Asbestos Containing Materials to Electrical and Electronic Engineers-Mesothelioma
When the asbestos was neatly contained within the wires or electrical devices, it did not present too much danger to electrical or electronic engineers. However, when these engineers manipulated the asbestos containing material, or if the material was damaged in any way, then asbestos could be released into the air and inhaled by the electrical and electronic engineers. When this happened, they put themselves at risk of contracting Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Electrical and Electronic Engineers and Asbestos Today
Today, asbestos is no longer used as it was. Since the 1970’s, people have become a lot more aware of the dangers posed by asbestos. However, if electrical or electronic engineers are exposed to any older electrical devices or electrical wiring, they may still be at risk of Mesothelioma.