Hongwo Sealing Sheet
Asbestos is a general term for fibrous silicate minerals. They contain magnesium and small amounts of other metals, like iron and nickel. Asbestos is mainly divided into two types: serpentine and amphibole. Of these, chrysotile, a type of serpentine asbestos, is the most used. It has a high tensile strength and resists breakage. It has high fire resistance. Serpentine asbestos has low thermal and electrical conductivity. It resists acid and alkali corrosion. It is commonly used in many industries. These include construction, cars, aviation, shipbuilding, and mechanical manufacturing. They also include railways, electrical machinery, and boilers. People can make products such as asbestos rubber sheets, asbestos gaskets and asbestos cloth from asbestos. It serves as fireproof, heat-insulating, insulating, braking, and gasket materials.
Jobs that mine, refine, and process asbestos products expose workers to asbestos dust. These products include asbestos boards, tiles, and ropes. In China, scattered manual operations carry out most asbestos processing. They have poor protective measures. Asbestos processing, especially dry processing, creates very high dust levels. Spinning asbestos yarn, making asbestos ropes, and weaving asbestos cloth are very polluting. Workers’ noses are less than a meter from the spinning wheel. People often close windows and doors to stop the wind from blowing away asbestos fibers. This causes dust to fly around the room. If workers inhale large amounts of asbestos dust for a long time, it can lead to asbestosis.
Pathogenesis and Pathological Changes
The pathogenesis of asbestosis has not yet been fully understood. It was once believed that asbestos dust could harm the lungs. Its long, sharp fibers could cause damage if inhaled. Some now believe that inhaled asbestos fibers mainly deposit in the lungs. They dissolve in the small bronchioles, alveolar cavities, and interstitial tissues. Silicic acid forms hydrogen bonds with secondary lysosome membranes. This alters their permeability, releasing hydrolases into the cytoplasm. Macrophages disintegrate and die, causing pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestos fibers that are not engulfed can enter lung tissue and reach the pleura. This can lead to pleural thickening, inflammation, or mesothelioma.
Diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis marks asbestosis. It also causes fibrous pleural plaques, fibrotic nodular changes, and “asbestos bodies.” These changes are what doctors call asbestosis. Clinical picture.
Asbestosis can start within a few years or after one or two decades of asbestos dust exposure. The symptoms include coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. There may be white, foamy, or mucus-like phlegm. People may be prone to colds and have trouble breathing when walking or climbing slopes. In severe cases, patients may have dizziness, weakness, and loss of appetite. A physical exam often shows blue lips, clubbed fingers, weak breathing, and less lung capacity. There may be an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Researchers can find “asbestos bodies” in sputum. A chest X-ray shows small, irregular shadows in the lungs. It also shows severe emphysema and changes in the pleura. Common asbestosis complications include respiratory infections, bronchiectasis, and tuberculosis. Some patients may also develop lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis warts, and dermatitis. Treatment.
Right now, doctors cannot cure asbestosis. They can only treat the symptoms. The most fundamental approach to asbestosis lies in prevention.
The fundamental methods for preventing asbestos hazards.
1. Replace asbestos with non-toxic or less toxic materials. Wherever possible, do not use asbestos. Avoid contact with asbestos to prevent asbestosis.
2. Change dry processing methods to wet ones. If conditions permit, frequently wash the ground to reduce secondary dust. If wet operations aren’t possible, use local exhaust and dust removal equipment. This helps reduce dust concentration in the work area. Under no circumstances should anyone carry out asbestos processing without protective measures.
3. In China, authorities classified asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma as occupational tumors in xx year. Relevant departments have also formulated several laws and regulations to prevent asbestos hazards. China’s industrial and mining hygiene standards limit asbestos dust in the air. It must not exceed 2 mg/m³ if it contains more than 10% asbestos.
4. Strengthen personal protection: Workers must wear work clothes, hats, and dust masks when operating machinery. It is best to change gauze masks every half day and wash work clothes and hats frequently. The workplace prohibits smoking, eating, and drinking. Eat more foods that help remove dust. Good options are pig’s blood, kelp, water chestnuts, pears, white radishes, and loquats.
5. Asbestos workers should have their lung capacity measured regularly. They should also have health checks every 1-2 years. If they find any illnesses, they should remove the individuals from asbestos work areas and treat them quickly.
The Hazards of Asbestos Work on the Human Body and Protection (2) in 2024
Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of long, fibrous fibers. Asbestos has been widely used in construction and industry for decades. Studies show that long exposure to asbestos can harm health. In 2024, if you work with asbestos, you must know its dangers to humans and how to protect against them.
Firstly, the hazards of asbestos work mainly affect the respiratory system. Inhaling asbestos particles can cause health problems. Asbestos exposure raises the risk of lung, bronchial, and mesothelioma cancers. Asbestos irritates the respiratory system. It can cause tracheitis, bronchitis, and fibrotic lung diseases. Asbestos can also damage the heart and digestive systems. It raises the risk of heart and gastrointestinal diseases.
To prevent and reduce the hazards of asbestos work, we must take protective measures. First, workers in asbestos work should get specialized training. They must learn to handle and operate asbestos materials correctly. They should wear protective masks, gloves, and dust-proof suits. This will prevent asbestos particles from entering their skin and lungs. Worksite ventilation systems should remove asbestos particles quickly. This will reduce workers’ long-term exposure to asbestos. Also, strict monitoring and cleaning of the site are necessary. They will remove asbestos dust and debris and prevent contamination.
Also, the government should improve oversight of asbestos work. Create stricter laws. They must clearly define safety and work rules for asbestos jobs. Increase inspections of asbestos work firms. Ensure they follow all regulations. They must provide workers with protective gear and training. At the same time, strengthen the oversight of asbestos products. Prohibit the use and sale of products that contain asbestos. Encourage the use of alternatives to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.
Also, these measures (public education) are crucial. Raise public awareness of asbestos hazards through extensive publicity. People should know the health risks of asbestos work. They should also know the proper ways to protect themselves. At the same time, we must raise self-protection awareness. People should avoid exposure to asbestos in daily life. This includes not entering asbestos-contaminated buildings and avoiding random demolition and renovation.
In conclusion
Asbestos work poses serious health risks. It can cause respiratory diseases, including lung and bronchial cancer. To reduce these risks, we must install protective measures. These include training, PPE, ventilation, monitoring, and cleaning at the site. The government should strengthen management and oversight. It should set stricter rules and standards. It should encourage the use of alternative materials. Asbestos should ban asbestos-containing products. Public education is key. It raises awareness about asbestos hazards and promotes personal protection. This helps reduce the chances of exposure. These measures can effectively reduce the health risks of asbestos-related work.
