Asbestos Exposure at Disaster Sites

Although asbestos and its insulating properties were recognized in ancient Greece and Rome, it was not until the Industrial Revolution that modern uses of asbestos became popular. Asbestos is able to resist the effects of heat, flame, chemicals, and electricity, which once made it an appealing material for everything from buildings to ships to automotive parts. Thus, when disasters strike older buildings and other sites, it can release this carcinogenic material into the environment.

Asbestos is both flexible yet extremely strong, which makes it easy to add this material to everything from concrete to vinyl. Thus, before we were aware of the dangers of asbestos, it was used as a component of insulation, vinyl flooring, roofing tiles, and concrete water pipes. However, after doctors and researchers found the link between asbestos and health problems like mesothelioma, the U.S. government issued an asbestos ban and phase-out in the 1980s. Despite this ban, though, many buildings constructed prior to the 1980s still contain asbestos.

During disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods, and terrorist attacks, these older buildings can release dangerous amounts of asbestos into the environment. People who work on rescue and reconstruction crews and those who live nearby can all suffer from asbestos exposure. Some recent sites that allowed for the release of asbestos fibers include:

The World Trade Center - the 9/11 terrorist attack caused the collapse of the Twin Towers, which released clouds of asbestos dust and debris. Rescue workers were the primary people exposed to the carcinogenic effects of asbestos. Hurricane Katrina - many older cities, such as New Orleans, suffered devastation from Hurricane Katrina. As the older buildings collapsed, they released asbestos fibers. Iraq War - Iraq does not have a ban on asbestos, meaning that it is still used as? building material. Thus, when American troops attacked the city, the rubble and debris? presented a hazardous amount of asbestos.

Asbestos exposure can result in debilitating and even deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you have been exposed to this dangerous material by working or living near a disaster site, you should talk to your doctor today about your concerns.

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Article Submitted On: August 27, 2010

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