The Health Risks of Asbestos Poisoning

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Strictly speaking, asbestos poisoning is not a medical term but it does broadly describe the range of potentially life threatening diseases someone can contract if exposed to asbestos fibres. Although the different types of asbestos have varying levels of danger, all have the potential to cause disease if mishandled. SafeWorkPro has more information on how to identify asbestos and manage it through an asbestos risk assessment. Regardless of this, the best safe operating procedures begin with a basic understanding of the health risks surrounding asbestos.

Asbestosis

What is it?

Asbestosis is an incurable lung disease characterised by the scarring of lung tissue caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Unlike lung cancer or mesothelioma, people with asbestosis can live for decades after diagnosis but as time passes, the individual’s condition will deteriorate and require more treatment.

Symptoms:

Asbestosis is caused by sharp, minuscule asbestos fibres becoming lodged in the lung tissue. Over the period of 20 to 30 years, the fibres cause inflammation and eventually scarring as the body attempts to heal. The severity of the symptoms depends of the length of an individual’s exposure to asbestos and include:

  • Swelling in the face and neck
  • Shortness of breath and coughing
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Blood in the lung mucus (sputum)
  • Crackling noise in breathing
  • High blood pressure/hyper tension
  • Deformed fingers

Treatment:

Due to the fact that no cure currently exists for asbestosis, the treatment methods commonly offered are designed to manage the symptoms rather than treat the cause. Along with healthier lifestyle and diet changes, supplemental oxygen and antibiotics, several treatment options are available for sufferers of asbestosis.

  • Pulmonary rehabilitation: a long-term treatment that teaches better breathing methods, exercise techniques and stress relief.
  • Prescription medications that ease pain and dilute secretions.
  • Respiratory physiotherapy to remove lung secretions

For more information on asbestosis, check out the Australian Asbestos Network.

Benign Pleural Disease

This is the most common form of disease found in people that have been exposed to asbestos. Benign pleural diseases are usually not life threatening but can cause extreme discomfort and pain, and can be symptomatic of late stage mesothelioma. The four main types of asbestos related pleural disease include:

  • Pleural plaques: these are patches of fibrous thickening that develop between the rib bones and the lining of the lung. Plaques are generally not viewed as a serious health issue but can cause painful and difficult breathing patterns.
  • Pleural effusions: this occurs when fluid is leaked into the space between the lung and the membrane that lines it. Although not life threatening on its own, pleural effusions cause extreme chest pain can reoccur even after treatment.
  • Pleural thickening: this is when the lining of the lung tissue becomes irritated resulting in lesions and swelling. In unusual cases, pleural thickening can be life threatening as it severely disrupts breathing patterns.
  • Pleuritis: this occurs after the lining of the lung tissue (pleura) becomes inflamed causing significant chest and shoulder pain.

In most cases the best treatment for pleural disease is lifestyle changes (ie quitting smoking) and appropriate exercise. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately as it may be indicative of lung cancer.

Mesothelioma

What is it?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can take anywhere between 20 and 50 years to display symptoms. It is caused by asbestos fibres that become lodged in the tissue surrounding the lungs, resulting in cellular damage that eventually leads to tumour growth. This is known as pleural malignant

mesothelioma and represents the most common form of this disease. However asbestos inhalation can also cause this cancer to occur in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal) and the heart (pericardial).

Symptoms:

The different forms of mesothelioma have varying symptoms of which more information can be found out about here. Symptoms, even those displayed in the later stages of the disease’s progression, can be subtle and unnoticeable. Early signs can be so insignificant that even doctors can misinterpret them as a simple ache or illness. The most common symptoms for mesothelioma include:

  • Constant fatigue
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Dry coughing
  • Shortness of breath

Current medical research is aimed at finding earlier diagnosis systems but there are several more symptoms that indicate mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body. These symptoms include:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Obstruction of the superior vena cava (a vessel that carries blood into the heart) leading to shortness of breath and facial swelling
  • Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia)
  • Damage to nerves attached to voice box (laryngeal) leading to harsh breathing and speaking

Treatment:

Currently no cure for mesothelioma exists but there several treatment options available that can alleviate symptoms and extend life expectancy.

  • Surgery: this treatment method can be used to remove tumours, alleviate pain for improved quality of life or to secure a biological sample for diagnosis.
  • Chemotherapy: a chemical infusion into the bloodstream that aims to kill cancer cells, reduce the size and spread of tumours and prolong survival. Unfortunately chemotherapy cannot cure mesothelioma and comes with significant side effects including hairs loss, nausea and weight loss.
  • Radiation therapy: this is used to stunt the growth of tumours and has been known to increase life expectancy and alleviate pain. Radiation therapy can be used at any stage of mesothelioma and includes the side effects of skin irritation, inflammation of the oesophagus, fatigue and nausea.

 

Beside mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos poisoning has been linked to the following cancers:

  • Prostate
  • Gallbladder
  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Kidney
  • Leukemia
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Colorectal
  • Laryngeal
  • Breast
  • Ovarian
For more information or help, contact your local GP.

How To Identify Asbestos

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A key aspect of a safe and complete asbestos risk assessment is the inclusion of a hazardous substance risk assessment form. This is not something that should be taken lightly as asbestos in homes is a real risk in any property built before 1990. Therefore knowing how to identify asbestos is a critical step in any type of asbestos training.

But this can be an expensive option. If you wish to test any material you suspect of containing asbestos, you can contact the National Association of testing Authorities for an independent evaluation. With over 3000 asbestos containing products used in construction prior to 1990, professional consultation and testing is the safest option for the identification of this highly hazardous material. But there are several common characteristics of asbestos containing materials.

Warning signs: look for any warning signs or labels that indicate the existence of asbestos.

Age: any property built before the late 1980’s could contain asbestos. Consult with local authorities, the structure’s builder, previous owners and neighbours.

Fasteners and joints:  check the battens used to to cover the joints between sheets of asbestos containing materials like AC sheeting. Any broken battens, gaps in joiners or loose nails, can indicate the presence of asbestos.

Close inspection: if you have a digital camera with a macro mode function, use it to take a close up photo of the material. Asbestos fibres are microscopic but the strands that are made up of these fibres can often be found clumped together (see left image for example). Note: never break the material apart to check as it could release asbestos fibres into the immediate area. 

It must be noted that these are initial steps and cannot guarantee the total identification of all asbestos materials. For that, an accredited asbestos specialist will need to be engaged.

Asbestos Risk Assessment

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Asbestos disposal is a type of high risk construction work that comes with its own OHS risk assessment form. Like most examples of risk assessment forms, there is no standardised safe work method statement template applicable for every condition. But there are many basic steps that serve as the starting block for any SWMS asbestos removal job.

Firstly the proper documentation must be prepared. This step obviously involves the completion of a SWMS by the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). The SWMS must be available onsite and kept by the PCBU until all high risk work is complete. A licensed asbestos removalist is responsible for the asbestos removal control plan, which should also be available for everyone on the worksite. Lastly, any person who undertakes work in this area, including asbestos testing, must have adequate training through the specified VET course for assessors, or through a tertiary education in OHS, science, building, construction or environmental health.

The next step is the asbestos register. Each state and territory has its own regulatory standards for the registration of asbestos removal or any asbestos related work. For asbestos removal Brisbane, for example, the WHSQ must be informed and PCBU’s must:

  • Know how to identify asbestos or any asbestos-containing materials (ACM) on site including friable asbestos
  • Keep and update a dated register of the location of any ACM, risk assessments, control measures and the details of the competent person who undertakes the assessment
  • Review the asbestos register at least once every five years

Although each state has different regulatory authorities surrounding asbestos OHS issues in the workplace, they are all based on the same framework detailed by Safe Work Australia. SafeWorkPro has provided a free SWMS example for asbestos removal to help your worksite get quick, safe and compliant today.

The Types of Asbestos

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Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in six different forms and is made up of fibres up to 200 times thinner than human hair. When it comes to asbestos in homes, not all types are as equally dangerous to humans but most can be found within any domestic building built before 1990. Each type of asbestos comes with certain precautionary measures that should be carefully considered. For the purpose of this article, only the types of asbestos commonly used in construction and therefore subject to an asbestos risk assessment, will be outlined.
Asbestos only becomes harmful to health when the fibres become disjointed from building material and are inhaled into the body (usually through the lungs). The best way to define asbestos is according to the specific level of danger it presents and the nature of its use.

Non-friable Asbestos

Non-friable Asbestos is found in both domestic and commercial/industrial buildings but is not considered dangerous if it remains in a stable condition. What makes it less dangerous than other forms of asbestos is that the fibres which cause disease, are actually bonded by cement, vinyl or other materials. Because the fibres are bonded, non-friable asbestos tends to be more solid and only represents a risk if the material is disturbed or damaged. Common materials containing non-friable asbestos include:
  • AC wall sheeting (other wise known as fibro or asbestos cement)
  • Artificial brick cladding
  • Gutters
  • Putty
  • Garages/sheds
  • Concrete formwork
  • Beams
  • Waterproofing materials
  • Telecommunication trenches
  • Fences
  • Plumbing
  • Switchboard backing boards
  • Building boards

 

Asbestos containing materials (ACM) like these usually consisted of between 5 – 20 per cent asbestos. However this is not the case for vinyl tiles where the asbestos was used in the layer between the floor and the tile itself. It is estimated that between 8 – 30 per cent of this layer contains asbestos therefore due diligence is required when dealing with it.

Note: If non-friable asbestos has degraded to the extent where minimal pressure reduces it to dust, then it should only be disposed of by someone with A Class asbestos training.

Friable Asbestos

Friable or loosely bound asbestos is generally considered to be the most dangerous form of asbestos. Primarily used in commercial and industrial buildings for fire proofing, sound proofing and insulation, friable asbestos can be reduced to dust and released into the surrounding air with very little physical effort. Friable asbestos is so dangerous because no other materials have been used to bond it together, meaning the asbestos fibres are released into the atmosphere more easily. Although mostly used in non-domestic buildings, friable asbestos is also found in old heaters, hot water systems, piping, fireplaces, vinyl floor coverings, insulation and stoves.

Low Density Board

This type of asbestos falls somewhere in between friable and non-friable but still carries the significant risk of asbestos poisoning. Similar in appearance to AC sheeting, low density board is a lightly compressed material that can contain up to 70 per cent asbestos. Used in both domestic and commercial/industrial buildings, low density board can be damaged, bent and dented with very little physical pressure. This in turn means that it has the potential to release airborne fibres far more easily.

For more information on asbestos related high risk work and the safest disposal methods, check out the SafeWorkPro Blog.

Types of Risk in Construction

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Health risks at work can range from catching a common cold off co-workers to suffering a serious injury. These risks however, are far more prominent in the construction industry, which saw 17 workplace deaths in 2013*. This is a stark figure, especially for a developed and modern country like Australia. Nonetheless the number of Australian worker injuries and fatalities is a solemn reminder of the inherent dangers involved in high risk construction work. 

The central role risk assessments play in preventing injury and fatalities is more evident than ever but there is more to the risk assessment process than paperwork and red tape. According to section 291 of the Work Health and Safety Act, there are 18 types of high risk work. These include construction activities which:

(a) involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres; or
(b) is carried out on a telecommunication tower; or
(c) involves demolition of an element of a structure that is load‑bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure; or
(d) involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos; or
(e) involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse; or
(f) is carried out in or near a confined space; or
(g) is carried out in or near:
(i) a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1·5 metres; or
(ii) a tunnel; or
(h) involves the use of explosives; or
(i) is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping; or
(j) is carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; or
(k) is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services; or
(l) is carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere; or
(m) involves tilt‑up or precast concrete; or
(n) is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians; or
(o) is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or
(p) is carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature; or
(q) is carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning; or
(r) involves diving work

In many of the above cases, contractors and workers are required to gain special licences and risk assessment training before conducting any work. This is to ensure that those engaging in high risk construction work are aware of the risks involved, trained to deal with these risks and properly accredited. For more information, head to Safe Work Australia’s licensing page.
*Source: Safe Work Australia, Worker fatalities.

Worksafe Australia Codes Of Practice

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In Australia, every state or territory has it’s own health & safety regulations enforced by their respective governmental authority. To ensure a safe workplace for all Australians, Safe Work Australia develops model codes of practice for a variety of high risk construction work.

The purpose of these safety policies is to harmonise safe working practices and procedures under one legal framework. Although each state or territory has its own regulator for the enforcement of safety laws in the workplace, Safe Work Australia’s codes of practice outlines the health and safety standards required under the WHS Act. These practical guides only become enforceable after the government of each state or territory approves them. Approved codes of practice are also admissible in court meaning if legal proceedings were to occur, the code of practice can be used as evidence as to what is know about a hazard, risk or control measure. The codes of practice will in turn be used as a reference point to determine what is reasonably practicable in the relevant situation.

There are currently 32 model codes of practice published by Safe Work Australia ranging from asbestos handling to confined spaces. More details of the codes can be found at Safe Work Australia’s website.