Asbestos Still a Health Threat in 2010
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- Created on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 14:12
It appears to be a common belief among many Americans that asbestos, due to the known dangerous health risks, is no longer used by American companies, and as a result, there is no longer a health danger associated with asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth. Despite numerous attempts by consumer groups to get Congress to ban the use of asbestos in the U.S., Congress has declined to do so. As such, asbestos is still in use in this country today, and is still finding its way into products, despite the serious health consequences associated with those who are exposed to the toxic substance. Despite the fact that the manufacturers and distributors of asbestos and asbestos laden products are well aware that asbestos exposure, even small amounts, can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, they understand that there is still a market for the product, and have thus continued selling it.
What may be more concerning, however, is the prevalence of asbestos which is still found in public buildings that has never been removed. Just a couple days ago, the a basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York was cancelled due to the fact that asbestos fibers were detected in the seating area after maintenance had been done to the attic of the building. (http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/03/new.york.arena.asbestos/index.html?hpt=Sbin) This merely highlights the problem that results when asbestos is left in a building where the public may come into contact with it. Though asbestos was routinely used as part of solid products, like wrapping or tile, over time that product can degrade, and the asbestos fibers can become airborne. Despite various levels of disagreement between regulatory agencies, business lobbies, and medical professionals – the “safest” level of asbestos exposure is to not be exposed to asbestos. Unfortunately, as older buildings get older, it becomes tougher and tougher to keep the asbestos fibers trapped in the products they were made in. Thankfully, the owners of Madison Square Garden had installed air monitors to detect airborne asbestos fibers. Not all building owners have that capability. Unless and until those groups that own and maintain these buildings remove all the asbestos and asbestos containing products from them, the public will continue to remain at risk of asbestos related diseases.
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