Most of us don’t believe that asbestos presence in the office buildings can be of any risk. Well, we are extremely wrong in thinking that. Studies show that one of the probable causes of asbestos-related illnesses is the asbestos used in office buildings.

Exposure to Asbestos

Renovation including demolition, remodeling, maintenance of old structures, or constructions of new office buildings, expose people to asbestos dust. Structural columns that are later concealed from sight by dropped ceilings and base of steel floorings have asbestos fireproofing sprayed on them. Pipes and boilers of any office building regularly use asbestos insulation during installation and renovation. Any interior changes, like setting up of a phone wiring, results in asbestos exposure.

Insulators are regularly used to prevent heat transfers in certain areas of the office and this leads to insulation materials (with asbestos in them) entering the bodies of the construction workers and office workers. It is a common site to see plumbers working on the pipes, drainage, and gas systems. Most of the time, we do not even realize that they put themselves, as well as others, at high risk of exposure to asbestos dust while doing these jobs as they use asbestos mud to fill up the cracks and joints. The same goes for replacing of old pipes with new ones. Electricians, while doing their maintenance jobs, expose themselves and others to asbestos dust. Exposure to asbestos dust is not only unhealthy for people who are working inside the office buildings, but also affects their family members who become indirect victims to asbestos dust. This happens because of the asbestos dust that is present in the clothing and hair of people directly exposed to it, and which they bring home at the end of the day.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

The biggest hazard of asbestos dust is mesothelioma, a malignant form of cancer that most commonly develops on the cells lining the sacs of the chest or the abdomen. There are no instant indications of mesothelioma, and it may emerge 30 to 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. A victim may complain of problem in breathing and chest pain due to the increase of fluid in the pleura, pain in the abdomen, loss of weight, blood clotting, anemia, and fever. Mesothelioma is a highly destructive disease that is commonly fatal to its unaware victims.

The State, local agencies, and environmental pollution offices must be notified before the pulling down or repairing of office buildings. Standard respirators and other protective devices must be given to the asbestos workers while they do their job. Asbestos must be wetted while removing it and after it is removed, the area must be cleaned by a specialized technique. The area from where the asbestos will be withdrawn must be closed off. These are some of the precautions that need to be taken to stop asbestos hazards in office buildings.