A Grave Concern

[DUNBAR]

Please read Article (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/mesothelioma)

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma)

Cancer.org (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=29)

I just got this email.....and talk about what I already fear, this is a big one.


I used to love getting into large scaled jobs involving demolition of walls to get to cast iron and galvy water line replacements.


I'm also a former smoker, breathed in a ton of horse hair plaster which is known to have asbestos in it. I can't say my exposure is limited other than the fact that I absolutely will not do a demolition any more. I leave that to the homeowner completely; call me when the dust settles.

I'm a victim of my own circumstance by not wearing protective masks or the like.......just felt that "oh I'll be done in a few minutes" kinda attitude.

At least I'm trying not get around this stuff as much.....but now that I've been a metal fabricator the past couple months....metal dust, paint fumes, paint thinner and a range of other nasty products are back in my exposure lines.

Anyone know of someone with this...........I don't know how many exposures it takes to get it......but I surely know that it takes years to get it......unless of course you consider the first responders at 9/11 that dealt with huge concentrations of the product, later died as a result.


I know of a pipefitter that has asbestosis of the lungs....was diagnosed in his 60's and he's slowly getting progressively worse as it grows in your older age, robbing you of lung capacity and a slew of other problems.

Disturbing topic but this needs to be discussed. It takes loved ones out of the equation by the circumstance of what we try to do for a living.

There's a kitchen sink drain that I'm replacing tomorrow that's 20 plus feet long.......in a finished basement that there's no way I'm going to get a complete open air area on this. Drain full of drain cleaning agent, then the glue and cleaner to put it back up. The older woman will have to leave that basement when I start doing the job.

[ToUtahNow]

While this is a real issue I would consider some of the information tainted as the site is owned by a Law Firm rather than a Medical Institution.

Mark

[ToUtahNow]

Yeah this is what tipped me off.

© 2008 Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center.
Thank you for visiting this website which is sponsored by the Law Firm of EARLY, LUDWICK, SWEENEY & STRAUSS, LLC. This website is devoted to the needs of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. The content contained herein was not prepared by medical professionals nor should it be taken as a substitute for medical advice. Additionally, this information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship simply by its viewing. The creation of an attorney-client relationship requires more than viewing this or affiliated websites. Neither the transmission nor receipt of this website material will create an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver. The material contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to your particular factual or legal circumstances. Online readers should not act on this information without seeking professional counsel. Please read our disclaimer (http://javascript<b></b>:popUp('/disclaimer.php')) for more information.

Mark ;)
http://gateway2.parkersoft.co.uk/stat.gif?u=908-1213629881601&d=www.maacenter.org&p='http%3A//www.maacenter.org/'&r='http%3A//www.maacenter.org/support/'

[DUNBAR]

Fixed it!

Funny how the link that was sent to me was NOT pointed to that front page.....purposely hiding that front disclosure. Shame on them.

[NHMaster3015]

Many many times in my youth I found myself in some basement, sledge hammer in hand, beating asbestos covered piping and boilers apart. The dust so thick in the air you couldn't see across the room, and nothing on but maybe a dust mask. I also used to buy asbestos, dry in 50 lb sacks and mix it with my bare hands in a 5 gallon mud bucket. So far though, no signs of asbestosis or any other lung maladies for that matter.

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

Sort of on topic...does anyone get the American Legion Magazine? One page they advertise cigarettes, the other page, this or a similar lawfirm. Due to Naval seaman being exposed on ships to asbestos. I am more worried about fiberglass myself....

[wrongler]

Heh, heh, heh. Reminds me of the asbestos ciding I holesawed through a few days ago. My nose was under my shirt so I should be ok, right...

[DUNBAR]

Sort of on topic...does anyone get the American Legion Magazine? One page they advertise cigarettes, the other page, this or a similar lawfirm. Due to Naval seaman being exposed on ships to asbestos. I am more worried about fiberglass myself....



Explain further about the fiberglass statement.......been exposed to a lot of that as well.

[DUNBAR]

Many many times in my youth I found myself in some basement, sledge hammer in hand, beating asbestos covered piping and boilers apart. The dust so thick in the air you couldn't see across the room, and nothing on but maybe a dust mask. I also used to buy asbestos, dry in 50 lb sacks and mix it with my bare hands in a 5 gallon mud bucket. So far though, no signs of asbestosis or any other lung maladies for that matter.


That's good to hear you don't have anything...I know a many a pipefitters that used to make it snow inside buildings.....didn't think twice of it at the time due to no regulation, no statement stating otherwise that it was dangerous or safe.

[gear junkie]

We're going to die anyway, is the quality of life by eeking out those 5 extra years worth it? We're so worried in this society to eliminate any risks or hazards that we should all just live in a rubber room and eat vegetables-oh, that's right-causes salmonella.

[JCsPlumbing]

I'm all for prolonging life. I fear prolonging death.

J.C.

[woodenstickers]

One of my best friends worked for a lawfirm that defended the asbestos companies in these suits. He finally had to quit after seeing too many celebrations when they were able to make the case outlast the victim. True story.

I have heard about fiberglass being the next big asbestos. It creates an industry in removal and disposal, but there is surely some truth to it. My solution? I just stay out of the sunbeams, that seems to be where all of the airborne particulates hang out.



Eli

[Plumbus]

it's hard not to respect the dangers of something that killed a loved one. My father contracted mesothelioma and died at age 52. Since the incubation period for this disease is 25-30 years, we never knew exactly where he was exposed to asbestos. I had a masive exposure some years ago while capping gas lines below a slab at a school in my area. The carpenter used a cutting torch to open up the double containment. The air was so thick with asbestos, you could have cut it with a knife. I was pissed off and let him know it. He just shrugged his sholders and said you got to die from something. I've also worked on a few buildings built over an old asbestos pipe insulation manufacturing plant. Every time we dug down to the sewer it looked like chocolate cake with white icing marblized through it. For safety purposes, we used a hose to keep the stuff damp so that it wouldn't get into the air. The stuff really spooks me.

[SlimTim]

My solution? I just stay out of the sunbeams, that seems to be where all of the airborne particulates hang out.
Eli

:D:jumping::killingme:

[garager]

Here in MN, a 2 string mask is considered a respirator. In order to wear one, you must have respirator training. So if you gave a respirator to an employee to wear and OSHA walks onto the jobsite, this person better have a card stating that they have experience or a supervisor needs to be there and be able to back up that he/she has given the necessary training to the employee for respirators.

You have to have a medical examination in order to don a respirator. Thus to make sure that your lungs are capable of using one. Wearing a respirator can be of a health risk, if you have lung disease, or claustrophobia, high blood pressure, heart disease.

There are different respirators for different reasons, if your respirator your using is below the rating for what your are doing, slam theres a fine. Then theres fit checks and Qualitative and Quantitative checks, seal checks.

My point is you may think its alright to wear one, or your employee, but chances are you need to be trained. However, a dust mask anyone one can wear, but its only good for large particles and it doesn't seal all that well on your face. Did I go over board here? Anyhow not all states will just let you wear one.

[Herk]

From my start in '66, I was exposed to a lot of pipe insulation containing asbestos. Sometimes the insulation itself was asbestos, and sometimes the insulation contractors were mixing the joint covering in a mixer - just pour it out of the bag and let the dust fly everywhere. In addition, there was a lot of demo removing the coverings.

So far, so good. I have no lung problems, but know plenty of people who have had them, some deceased.

My biggest problem these days is getting around silicone caulk in enclosed areas or dust from fiberglas insulation. I get coughing and hacking every time I get near old insulation and it usually takes a couple of days if I get too much of the acetic acid fumes from the silicone.

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

Explain further about the fiberglass statement.......been exposed to a lot of that as well.

As of right now, it is not listed as a carcinogen. It is spun glass, and like asbestos settles on the sacs of the lungs. They say it is expelled, unlike asbestos, but how, coughing? Just does not seem healthy, glass fibers in the lungs. It does cause cancer in labratory rats...:frown:

[garager]

As of right now, it is not listed as a carcinogen. It is spun glass, and like asbestos settles on the sacs of the lungs. They say it is expelled, unlike asbestos, but how, coughing? Just does not seem healthy, glass fibers in the lungs. It does cause cancer in labratory rats...:frown:

In 3 more years they should be coming out with the final results of their testings and evaluation. So this will be the next trend of material being ripped out of homes throughout America with govt. money. They knew it was harmful and they still allowed it to happen, now the tax payers will pay billions for blanket insulation to be removed from our homes. I'll be going after that License too (removal), when the time is right, thanks for the money guys..... :D

[boillerman]

Fiberglass gets me hacking every time. One of my early boiler replacements we had to remove the asbestos on, and the guy I was with that day had us all decked out in rubber suits and respirators or he wouldn't do the job. Turns out his dad worked with asbestos most of his life and died from something that was caused by that. The guy I worked with that day is an inspector today, and I had a lot of respect for him, but instead of wearing suits for that I've referred people to the asbestos abatement companies. Some people do it themselves (they're allowed to do that for some insane reason) and then call you to tell you it's ready. I wait a week before I'll go back, hoping but not really knowing that the 'dust' has settled. Wash things down, etc.

[JCsPlumbing]

I always try to get something over my nose and mouth around ANY particulate. Drywall dust. Insulation of all types. Even wood dust if it gets crazy. Keep 2 of the NiOsh twin cartridge masks with me. Sometimes get made fun of by others.:rolleyes: Oh well....

What concerns me some is that the Primer & Glue doesn't bother me as much as it once did. Even in close quarters.

J.C.

[ToUtahNow]

I coughed, choked and spit up a ton of Abestos dust in the early 70's and so far no issues.

Mark

[Bob D.]

I always try to get something over my nose and mouth around ANY particulate. Drywall dust. Insulation of all types. Even wood dust if it gets crazy. Keep 2 of the NiOsh twin cartridge masks with me. Sometimes get made fun of by others.:rolleyes: Oh well....

What concerns me some is that the Primer & Glue doesn't bother me as much as it once did. Even in close quarters.

J.C.

That's a good move, just make sure you're not giving yourself a false sense of protection with less than the required protection.

Also, silica is a biggie thats is looming on the horizon. Any time you are working around the brickies and they are cutting block with a 'wet' sat (or should be used wet I should say) stay away. That dust is reported to be as bad as asbestos. Worked many school jobs years ago where the brickies would move their cutting operation inside because of the cold and have the whole wing filled with dust. Then you're on the floor trying to set a toilet of trim out a lav breathing that crap all day.

New Law in New Jersey Bans Dry Cutting of Masonry
http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0700/d000730/d000730.html

[ozplumb]

True story.

My tradeschool teacher (in his sixties) when I was at school to learn the plumbing code in Aus. Was the only apprentice on his job site that wore a wet Handkerchief/towel around his mouth and nose and had it tied around the back of his neck whenever mixing asbestos. He was the butt of all cowboy jokes for his whole career with that company. He is the only one left alive out of four.

[garager]

True story.

My tradeschool teacher (in his sixties) when I was at school to learn the plumbing code in Aus. Was the only apprentice on his job site that wore a wet Handkerchief/towel around his mouth and nose and had it tied around the back of his neck whenever mixing asbestos. He was the butt of all cowboy jokes for his whole career with that company. He is the only one left alive out of four.

Last man standing, now look who's doing the laughing. :D