Asbestos Exposure Limits

Advancements have been made through research on the effects of certain chemicals and substances previously thought safe. One such substance is asbestos. Once considered no threat, it has been discovered that asbestos can cause serious physical aliments, such as lung cancer.

Identification

• Asbestos is a flame retardant fibrous material comprised of six different naturally occurring minerals. It has been used for purposes such as insulation, roofing and siding, and in the manufacturing of brakes and transmission components in motor vehicles.

Significance

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in serious lung diseases. These include, but are not strictly limited to Asbestosis---a non-cancerous but incurable lung disease in which the lung tissue becomes hard and brittle, and lung cancer. Mesolthelioma is a cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos inhalation; however, it does not generally manifest until years after the exposure has occurred.

Warning

• According to National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), there are no safe or acceptable levels of exposure to asbestos. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states a level 0.1 fiber per cubic cm is the permissible exposure limit; however, this is strictly for regulatory purposes. In their final ruling on the substance, OSHA stated that even this level of exposure can pose significant health risks.