Industrial Engineers and Asbestos

In the first century AD, Pliny the Elder had noted that slaves who worked in asbestos mines died young. Incidents of asbestos-related quick deaths, diseases, and breathing problems have surfaced from time to time, only to be largely ignored. However, in the 1960s, the evidence was overwhelming and asbestos was officially termed as the “worst industrial killer of the century”.

What made asbestos such a huge threat?

At one time, asbestos was touted as the magic mineral that could be used anywhere for any lengths of time. Asbestos fibers are durable, malleable, and non-combustible. They are resistant to corrosion caused by moisture and chemicals. This accounts for their immense popularity in industries and factories. Chrysotile, or white asbestos, was widely used for fireproofing and soundproofing. Amphibole can resist acids and extreme temperatures. So, it has been widely used in industrial furnaces and other heating systems. Of the various types of asbestos, chrysotile is the least harmful. Amphibole stays much longer in the lungs and is more likely to cause cancerous lesions.

When are Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos exposure takes place when minute asbestos fibers break free from their binding material and remain suspended in the air. This usually happens in the case of ‘friable’ and sprayed-on asbestos that is used in industries.

When Is Asbestos Used?

Asbestos is usually used for insulation purposes in industries. Engineers who are called upon to repair and maintain products that contain asbestos are at a great risk because they could be working with damaged asbestos particles. The risk is greatest for engineers and workers who work in the mining and milling industry. They are continuously exposed to high levels of asbestos particles every day.

Several products like gaskets, packing, and sealants used in factories and steel plants have asbestos lining. When these products are repaired, asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers stick stubbornly to clothing and shoes. Industrial engineers who wore fireproof clothing and gloves have a much greater risk of exposure because fireproof material in the 1900s usually contained substantial amounts of asbestos.

Have you ever worked in an industrial plant or factory? If you have, you cannot rule out the risk of exposure. Research shows that the development of asbestos-related diseases has little to do with the period of exposure. So, even brief periods of exposure can lead to fatal asbestos related diseases.