Automotive workers vulnerable to lung cancer

 January 24, 2011
The smokers, both active and passive, including the group most at risk of contracting lung cancer. Other groups are also prone to experience automotive workers who are often located in the garage. Why is that?

In addition to frequent inhaling exhaust emissions of motor vehicles, automotive workers are also faced with other materials that are not less dangerous in relation to cancer. Material in question is used as a layer of asbestos brake and clutch.

When the mechanical cleaning the drum and motor vehicle clutch home, dust and debris that asbestos fibers would be flying then inhaled. Asbestos dust can accumulate so that in the long term may increase the risk of cancer in the respiratory tract.

The risk could be even greater considering that most workshops do not have good air circulation. Recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows, 66 percent shop in the United States have asbestos-contaminated air above the safe limit because they have no ventilation.

The use of asbestos by the automotive industry actually has been warned by the EPA since the 1970s, but the material is still in use today because the votes do something different. Of them more resistant to heat and more stable than other materials such as rubber and plastic.

Quoted from Seedol, Sunday (23 / 1), type of lung cancer that is often plagued automotive worker is Malignant mesothelioma. This type of cancer attacks the thin layer that surrounds vital organs including the lungs and most are triggered by asbestos.

As with other types of lung cancer, early symptoms Malignant mesothelioma is often not detected. Before the already severe, automotive workers or anyone that intersect with asbestos dust should be checked out if it starts to cough or have other respiratory complaints.

MESOTHELIOMA NEWS

Experts Urge Canada to Change Deadly Asbestos Policy

Monday, May 10th, 2010.

World renowned experts, asbestos victims, labour, political leaders, academic researchers and health care providers will gather on Parliament Hill on May 12 to demand that Canada change its shameful course on asbestos, at a 11 a.m. press conference and subsequent rally. They will also call for just transition policies for communities relying on this industry.

"Pretending that there are methods to handle asbestos safely is just like saying there is a safe way to fall from a 15th floor," said Dr. Fernand Turcotte, professor emeritus of preventive medicine and public health at the medical school of Université Laval.

"Suffering from hunger is far less painful than suffering from a dreadful occupational illness like mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure," said Dr. Tushar Kant Joshi, occupational and environmental health physician, Fellow at Collegium Ramazzini in Italy.

After a press conference at 11 a.m. in the Charles Lynch Room, participants will be joined by demonstrators in front of Centre Block at 12:15.

What:

Press conference and demonstration to demand Canada change its shameful course on asbestos

Who:

Pat Martin, NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre

Dr. Kapil Khatter, family physician in Ottawa, President of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

Dr. Tushar Kant Joshi, world renowned occupational health expert

Mike Bradley, Mayor of Sarnia

Dr. Fernand Turcotte, professor emeritus of preventive medicine and public health at the medical school of Université Laval

Dr. Barry Castleman, chemical engineer, environmentalist and asbestos substitutes consultant to the World Health Organization and the World Bank

Hassan Yussuff, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress

Sandra Kinart, Community Health Care worker and community activist whose husband Blayne has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma

When:

Press conference at 11 a.m., Charles Lynch Room (130 S, Centre Block, House of Commons, Ottawa)

Demonstration at 12:15 p.m. in front of Centre Block

About CUPE

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is Canada’s largest union.

With around 600 000 members across Canada, CUPE represents workers in health care, education, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services and airlines.

A strong and democratic union, CUPE is committed to improving the quality of life for workers in Canada. Women and men working together to form local unions built CUPE. They did so to have a stronger voice – a collective voice – in their workplace and in society as a whole.

Together they have won the right to negotiate their wages and working conditions; to stop arbitrary action by employers; and to speak out without fear of reprisal.

CUPE members are service-providers, white-collar workers, technicians, labourers, skilled trades people and professionals. More than half of CUPE members are women. About one-third are part-time workers.

CUPE is a modern, dynamic and sophisticated union with more than 70 offices across the country.

Workers, united through CUPE, have the clout and expertise to deal with the growing complexities of our global economy.

ASBESTOS REMOVAL

What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a range of building materials to make them more rigid and fire resistant. It has also been used in household products such as ironing boards and oven gloves.
Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950s through to the mid 1980s.
Some of areas in your home where you may find asbestos include:
• eaves gutters and rainwater fall pipes
• fire blankets
• garage and shed roofs
• linings for walls, ceilings and doors
• insulation panels in some storage heaters
• bath panels
• central heating flues
• loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls
• floor tiles
Most people are exposed to low amounts of asbestos present in the atmosphere with no ill effects. Asbestos fibres and dust are potentially very dangerous if inhaled in higher concentrations over a period of time, when they can cause serious lung diseases including cancer. The symptoms of these diseases often do not appear for between 20 -30 years after exposure to asbestos.
What to do if you think you have asbestos in your home
It is very hard to identify asbestos, but if you suspect that you are living with asbestos:
• don't panic and leave asbestos alone, it's safe unless it's damaged or disturbed
• never sand, drill or saw asbestos materials
• always seek professional advice before thinking of removing asbestos materials
• do not attempt to remove asbestos lagging, spray coatings or insulation board by yourself. These materials can only be safely removed by a licensed contractor
• sometimes it will be necessary to take a sample, for example to identify the type of asbestos. Only employ a suitably trained person to sample or do a survey of the premises
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about asbestos inspections.
• Apply for an asbestos inspection Opens new window
Removing asbestos from your home
If you do choose to remove the non-licensable asbestos materials yourself it will help if you take the following precautions:
• wear a dust mask approved for asbestos;
• wear a disposable overall
• keep other people away from the working area;
• wet the material well with water containing a little washing up liquid; check that there is no potential for contact with electricity first;
• always remove whole sheets or components; do not break them up
• place any loose or small items in strong plastic labelled bags and seal;
• clean up all dust with a damp cloth and then seal it in a plastic bag whilst damp;
• do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner as dust may pass through the filter.
If you have removed asbestos from your home yourself, it will need to be disposed of separately from your normal household waste. You may be able to arrange to have it collected or there may be special facilities in your area you can use to dispose of hazardous waste. Contact your local council for further details.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about removing asbestos.
What to do if you are concerned about asbestos
The Health and Safety Executive provides extensive information and advice on the use and removal of asbestos. Members of the public may contact the Health and Safety Executive infoline, 0845 345 0055, for general advice on asbestos.
Your council can offer advice to residents and businesses on what to do if it is thought that asbestos may be present in a building. Inspectors may visit the premises to confirm the presence of asbestos and advise on procedures for removal and disposal.