Key Takeaways
- Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals once valued for their heat resistance, tensile strength, and flexibility. It was used in insulation, building materials, automobile brakes and clutches, and many other products.
- People can be exposed to asbestos both occupationally (construction workers, mechanics, plumbers, insulators) and environmentally — and exposure can also travel home on contaminated clothing.
- OSHA sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air over an eight-hour work shift. Employers are required to monitor exposure levels and take action to keep workers below this threshold.
- OSHA has three separate asbestos standards depending on the workplace: general industry, shipyards, and construction — each with specific requirements for ventilation, decontamination, medical surveillance, and safe handling.
- Workers exposed above the PEL must be provided with separate lunch areas, decontamination areas, and medical surveillance.
- To prevent take-home contamination, NIOSH recommends workers shower before leaving work, wash work clothes separately, leave contaminated items at the workplace, and keep work and living areas completely separate.
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring silicate materials. In the past, asbestos was attractive because of its heat resistance, tensile strength and flexibility. Because of its attractiveness, it has been used in a variety of different products, including insulation materials, building materials, and brakes and clutches for automobiles. These are just a few examples of the many uses of asbestos.
In the past and today people can be exposed to asbestos occupationally and environmentally. Construction workers, mechanics, plumbers, vehicle repairers, insulators and more are the most common occupations associated with asbestos exposure.
The different mineral fibers that asbestos is composed of include chrysotile, amosite, tremolite, crocidolite, anthophyllite and actinolite.
OSHA has three standards when it comes to protecting workers that may come into contact with asbestos. These standards are dependent on the type of workplace and whether it is for general industry, shipyards or construction.
Standards
For example, for general industry, OSHA states that asbestos cement, mortar, plaster, grout, coating or similar products cannot be removed from the object that they are shipped in without being wetted, enclosed or ventilated, to protect asbestos fibers from being released into the air. Additionally, sanding of flooring that contains asbestos is not allowed. There also has to be a ventilation system put in place when removing compressed air.
There are different protections that exist within OSHA’s standards. Work areas must be assessed by the standards based on each type of workplace to determine if there is asbestos present and if the asbestos can become airborne. The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air during each eight hour work shift. Employers must make sure that no employees are exposed to asbestos fibers above these limits. Employers must monitor if asbestos exposure is at or above the PEL. If it is possible that exposure might surpass the PEL, employers have to use the necessary work practices and engineering controls in order to try to keep the PEL at or below the correct level. Additionally, workers who are exposed to asbestos above the PEL, must be provided with separate lunch areas and decontamination areas. Medical surveillance must be given to employees who are exposed to asbestos above the PEL. These are just some of the guidelines.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health came up with ways to reduce contamination of homes from asbestos. They state that for people who work in areas that are contaminated who work away from their homes should take a shower before they leave work, should tell their coworkers of the exposure, should wash their work clothes separately from other clothes, should not allow family members to visit them at work, should not take any of the items they used at work home with them, should leave clothes that have been exposed at work, should keep non work clothes away from work clothes and more.
Additionally, people who work with asbestos products at home should follow a set of guidelines as well. They should store hazardous substances in a safe place, wash clothes that they are working in separately, tell other workers and members of their household, keep work and living areas separate and more.
Overall, it is important to do what you can to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure, as it can cause mesothelioma and other diseases that are extremely rare but also aggressive.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease please call (800) 505-6000. For more information, fill out the form on our Homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals made up of different fiber types, including chrysotile, amosite, tremolite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. It was widely used in commercial and industrial products because of its resistance to heat, tensile strength, and flexibility. Common applications included insulation, building materials, and automotive brakes and clutches.
How are people exposed to asbestos?
People can be exposed to asbestos in two primary ways:
- Occupational exposure — workers in construction, plumbing, vehicle repair, insulation, and other trades may handle asbestos-containing materials directly or disturb them during their work
- Environmental and secondary exposure — family members can be exposed when asbestos fibers are brought home on a worker’s clothing, skin, or hair. People living near asbestos-processing facilities or natural deposits may also be exposed.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed — through cutting, sanding, demolition, or deterioration — microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled.
What are OSHA’s asbestos exposure limits?
OSHA sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air averaged over an eight-hour work shift. Employers are required to assess work areas for asbestos, monitor exposure levels, and implement engineering controls and safe work practices to keep exposure at or below the PEL. Workers exposed above this limit must be provided with decontamination areas, separate lunch facilities, and medical surveillance.
What safety standards does OSHA have for asbestos in the workplace?
OSHA maintains three separate asbestos standards depending on the type of workplace:
- General industry
- Shipyards
- Construction
Each standard includes specific requirements for exposure assessment, ventilation, wet methods, worker training, decontamination, medical monitoring, and safe handling procedures. For example, in general industry, asbestos cement and similar products cannot be removed from containers without first being wetted, enclosed, or ventilated. Sanding of asbestos-containing flooring is prohibited.
How can workers prevent bringing asbestos home to their families?
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends the following steps for workers who may be exposed to asbestos:
- Shower before leaving work
- Wash work clothes separately from other household laundry
- Leave contaminated items at the workplace — do not bring tools, equipment, or exposed clothing home
- Keep work clothes and personal clothes in separate areas
- Inform coworkers and household members about the potential exposure
- Do not allow family members to visit contaminated work areas
These precautions are critical because secondary exposure — inhaling fibers from a loved one’s contaminated clothing — has been shown to cause mesothelioma in spouses, children, and other family members.
What should people who work with asbestos at home do to stay safe?
People who work with asbestos-containing products at home — such as during renovations or automotive repairs — should follow a similar set of precautions: store hazardous materials safely, wash work clothing separately, keep work areas separate from living areas, and inform other household members about the potential risk. If you suspect a home renovation project involves asbestos-containing materials, having a professional assessment done before disturbing the materials is the safest approach.
What diseases can asbestos exposure cause?
Exposure to asbestos can cause several serious diseases, including:
- Mesothelioma — a rare, aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart
- Lung cancer — risk increases significantly with asbestos exposure
- Asbestosis — chronic scarring and inflammation of the lungs
- Pleural thickening and pleural effusion — non-cancerous but potentially serious respiratory conditions
These diseases can take 20 to 50 years to develop after exposure, making prevention and early awareness essential.
What should I do if I’ve been exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with a related disease?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, understanding your exposure history and legal options is an important first step. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
