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Exposure to asbestos in human thesis
Asbestos exposure problems essay
Asbestos exposure problems essay
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Recommended: Exposure to asbestos in human thesis
I. Introduction
Asbestos and the dangers revolving around it have been acknowledged and regulated by OSHA since 1972. OSHA first implemented it’s regulation on asbestos exposure in the early 1970’s in order to protect American workers from grave dangers of prolonged asbestos exposure. Since it’s implementation, these regulations have significantly decreased the incidence of asbestos-related diseases and conditions ("Asbestos standard for," 1995). The following research analyzes the ways in which OSHA has addressed the issue of asbestos (in 1972 and since), and seeks to discover ways in which OSHA could further reduce the incidence of asbestos-related conditions.
II. Background Information
Prior to regulation asbestos was a commonly used material. This is largely in part due to asbestos’ high propensity to heat and acid resistance as well as it’s high tensile strength (Saldivar & Soto, 2008). Fundamentally, asbestos is an ideal material for building and manufacturing; it’s properties lend it to be a strong, versatile substance that is fire retardant and cheap. Before it’s toxicity was known organizations were not concerned with employee exposure to asbestos, as the use of asbestos allowed these companies to make strong, durable products at a low cost and high volume. The substance asbestos is a collective term used to describe six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have specific chemical and physical properties (Saldivar & Soto, 2008).
The history of asbestos use extends far past modern times, with it’s roots traced back thousands of years. It’s historical uses as candle wicks, tablecloths, and napkins would never be deemed appropriate or safe in modern times, as it would put someone’s health and life at stake. The fir...
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...partment of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2012). Asbestos toxicity
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2007).Current best practices for preventing asbestos exposure among brake and clutch repair workers
U.S Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health: National Cancer Institute. (2013).Mesothelioma
U.S Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health: National Cancer Institute. (2013).Asbestosis
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (1995). Asbestos standard for general industry (OSHA 3095)
Warner, R. (2012). Asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits: What to expect. NOLO, Retrieved from http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/asbestos-mesothelioma-lawsuits-what-expect-30340.html
DeArmond, Stephen J., M.D., Ph.D., Safar, Jiri, M.D., Groth, Darlene, A.B., Prusiner, Stanley B., M.D. “Prions” Office of Health and Safety. 28 July 2006 < www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/bmbl4s7d.htm>.
Western Australian Department of Education. (2010). Occupational Safety and Health. WA: Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/policies/detcms/policy-planning-and-accountability/policies-framework/policies/occupational-safety-and-health.en?bbp.s=9&bbp.e=select&bbp.v=4&bbp.i=d0.1&bbp.8.policyID=10918572&g11n.enc=UTF-8&bbp.9.pane=0
Schwarze, S. (2003). Corporate – State Irresponsibility, Critical Publicity, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana. Management Communication Quarterly, 16(4), 625.
This paper will show how the facility will continue to stay abreast of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The paper will also take a look at the activities and the frequency of training and audits that the hospital will conduct throughout the year. This paper will address the possibility of the fines the hospital has received and what causes the fines. The OSHA is an organization that provides a safe work environment for all staff members.
McGuire, C. (2011, April). Workplace Safety 100 Years Ago. Safety Compliance Letter(2524), 1-6. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=60166397&site=ehost-live&scope=site
It can be difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because many of the mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions, including lung cancer and other types of cancers. At the time of diagnosis, your doctor will first do a physical examination and complete a medical history, including asking about the possibility of prior exposure to asbestos.
EPA. (2009, December 29). Retrieved January 15, 2011, from Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health: http://www.epa.gov/teach/
Nielsen, Ronald P. OSHA Regulations And Guidelines : A Guide For Health Care Providers. Albany, NY: Delmar,
Each year about 3,000 nonsmoking adults die of lung cancer as a result breathing the sm...
Masks and personal protective equipment were not worn by the factory workers. With no preventative measures taken, workers respiratory tracts were exposed to cotton, flax, and hemp dust. This exposer caused side effects such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, long term respiratory diseases (COPD), and permeant loss of lung functions. These symptoms were later classified as a syndrome called byssinosis before disease were diagnoses. According to the online article, “Long term respiratory health effects in textile workers,” there were two obstructive lung diseases textile workers exhibited, Asthma and COPD. The article states that two hundred and twenty-five newly hired textile workers were studies and found to have increased in asthma like symptoms at a one year follow up. The article continues to explain that there was an increase in incidence of chronic and progressive dyspnea, cough, and sputum production characteristic of COPD seen textile workers on year follow up as well. Another lung problem seen in some textile workers per Dr. Edward Holmes interview in 1818 was Scrofula, known today as
Radon gas is currently the leading cause of lung cancer in the nonsmokers. Radon gas is harmless in small amounts but sometimes becomes concentrated in homes built on soil wi...
Reese, C.D. and Eidson, J.V. (1999). Handbook of OSHA construction safety and health. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press
In the early 1900s industrial accidents were commonplace in this country; for example, in 1907 over 3,200 people were killed in mining accidents. At this time legislation and public opinion all favored management. There were few protections for the worker's safety. Today's industrial employees are better off than their colleagues in the past. Their chances of being killed in an industrial accident are less than half of that of their predecessors of 60 years ago. According to National safety Council (NSC), the current death rate from work-related injuries is approximately 4 per 100,000, or less than a third of the rate of 50 years ago. Improvements in safety up to now have been the result of pressure for legislation to promote health and safety, the steadily increasing cost associated with accidents and injuries, and the professionalization of safety as an occupation. When the industrial sector began to grow in the United States, hazardous working conditions were commonplace. Following the Civil War, the seeds of the safety movement were sown in this country. Factory inspection was introduced in Massachusetts in 1867. In 1868 the first barrier safeguard was patented. In 1869 the Pennsylvania legislature passed a mine safety law requiring two exits from all mines. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was established in 1869 to study industrial accidents and report pertinent information about hose accidents. The following decade saw little progress in the safety movement until 1877, when the Massachusetts legislature passed a law requiring safeguards for hazardous machinery. In 1877 the Employers' Liability Law was passed. In 1892, the first safety program was established in a steel plant in Illinois, in response to the explosion of a flywheel in that company.
Chemical and fire hazards in the workplace cause serious injuries that in most cases are fatal.