A recent research article published by the Oxford University Press reported some alarming findings. According to the article, a study conducted in Germany between 1988 and 1993, shows that transportation workers, freight and material handlers, and workers in metal production and processing units have elevated risks of exposure to asbestos.

Freight and material handlers are involved in moving materials from one place to another. They stack, load, and unload a large variety of materials. These materials can be large, heavy, or light and they could be made of wood, glass, metal, or asbestos.

Workers involved in loading, unloading, and transportation of cargo are not aware of the materials they handle on a daily basis. It is also not uncommon for these workers to be exposed to large quantities of dust. Most of them only take general precautions when they work. In fact, that is all they are needed to do. But, how safe is this?

Usage of Asbestos

Asbestos became popular in the US in the 1800s. Ever since, over 3,000 varieties of products have been made using asbestos. These products are often shipped to other places, where they are received and loaded by freight handlers.

Exposure to Asbestos

When workers move heavy asbestos-reinforced products from place to place, they are under threat of exposure. If the material is damaged in any way, microscopic asbestos fibers are released into the atmosphere, where they stay for long periods of time. Since freight and material handlers work within the closed confines of storage rooms, freights, and other carriers, the concentration of dust they are exposed to is unusually high. Additionally, they also carry these dust particles home with them, on their clothes and body. Breathing in asbestos fibers can lead to a number of diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.