CWA 7717

Asbestos in the Workplace - Fact Sheet #1 Nov 13, 2002

Asbestos is the name for a family of minerals which occur naturally as masses of fibers. Asbestos fibers may range in texture from silky to coarse. Asbestos is used by many industries because of its strength, flexibility, heat and chemical resistance, and good frictional properties.

There are six recognized types of asbestos: chrysotile, actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and tremolite. Of these chrysotile is used in over 90% of the products containing asbestos.

Most asbestos is used in the construction industry in building products, insulation, friction materials, and textiles. Manufactured products include asbestos cement sheets and pipes, patching and taping compounds, floor and ceiling tiles, and reinforcing fillers in paints and sealants.

OSHA estimates that over 500,000 employees work with asbestos products. Millions more are exposed because they work near or around work areas where asbestos products are used. Many CWA members work on jobs which expose them to asbestos. These occupations are primarily installers, cable splicers, outside plant technicians and auto mechanics. Such members work with or around insulation materials and friction products like clutch facings and brake linings. In addition, many CWA members who work at construction or renovation sites or perform installation and service work in office buildings and private residences may be exposed to asbestos fibers.

Exposure may also occur in families of workers. Asbestos fibers may be carried into the home on the workers' bodies or clothing. Asbestos-related diseases have afflicted workers' families as a result of such exposure.

Health Effects

Asbestos bonded in finished products, such as brake linings and insulation materials, is not a risk to workers' health as long as the product is not disturbed or damaged in such a way as to free fibers into the air. However, when this happens asbestos fibers have a tendency to break easily into dust or tiny particles. Asbestos fibers may be inhaled or swallowed. The fibers are like glass slivers and can become trapped in the tissues of the lungs and digestive system. Once asbestos fibers work their way into body tissues, they tend to remain there indefinitely.

Exposure to asbestos may cause several serious diseases.

Pleural plaque -- A thickening of fibrosis of the lining of the lungs that impairs breathing. Although pleural plaque is not life threatening it may contribute to more severe health problems such as pneumonia. In addition, because asbestos-related health problems are progressive, pleural plaque is likely to progress to more serious asbestos-related health effects like asbestosis and lung cancer.
Asbestosis -- After many years of asbestos exposure, the inhaled fibers will leave the lungs permanently scarred. This emphysema-like condition is known as asbestosis.

Early symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and broadening of the fingertips. Such symptoms may not become noticeable for many years. If a worker should notice any of these symptoms, he/she should see a doctor immediately.

A dry, crackling sound (rales) coming from the lungs during inhalation may occur later. In addition, a bluish discoloration of the skin and the lining of the mouth and tongue may also develop.

Extreme cases of asbestosis will result in a total breakdown of the alveoli (air sacs) within the lungs. This will make it impossible for the worker to inhale enough oxygen. In turn, this may lead to heart failure because of the body's increased effort to pump blood through the lungs.
Lung Cancer -- After asbestos exposure, lung cancer may develop. This process may take as long as 20 years to occur. Experts indicate that lung cancer causes 20% of all deaths in asbestos workers. The degree of the disease depends on exposure, age, and length of asbestos-related work.

Early symptoms of lung cancer may include coughing or a change in cough habit, chest pains, and the coughing up of blood-streaked sputum. If a worker should take notice of any of these symptoms, he\she should see a doctor immediately.

Workers who smoke should be particularly careful to avoid asbestos exposure. Asbestos workers who smoke regularly have 92 times greater risk of dying from lung cancer than do non-smokers who do not work with asbestos. Further, asbestos workers who smoke have an eight times greater risk of developing lung cancer than the general smoking population.
Mesothelioma -- Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that involves the thin membrane lining the chest and abdomen.

Early symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pains, or abdominal pain. Occasionally, the abdominal pain is accompanied by a need to urinate or defecate. Such symptoms should be reported to a physician immediately.

Mesotheliomas account for about 10% of all asbestos workers' deaths.
Gastrointestinal cancer -- Asbestos that has contaminated food, beverages, cigarettes, etc. may be swallowed and passed into the digestive tract. Several studies have indicated a direct link between asbestos exposure and an increased occurrence of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum.

CWA's Occupational Safety and Health Department has identified serious asbestos-related health problems among CWA active and retired members. Activities of the Union's Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program initiated in 1995, has found catastrophic rates of asbestos exposure health effects. For example, some 25% of more than 2,000 members who have participated in the medical screenings have developed severe asbestos-related health problems, including pleural plaque, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These findings have made the asbestos medical surveillance a priority for CWA.

Controlling the Hazard

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 guarantees all workers the right to a safe and healthful workplace. CWA members who work with asbestos products or work in areas where there is an airborne asbestos hazard are protected by the OSHA asbestos standard. In such circumstances, the employer must provide and utilize engineering controls, monitoring, medical surveillance procedures, personal protective equipment, and proper work practices.

Engineering Controls -- Over an eight-hour shift, workers must not be exposed to more than an average of one-tenth of a fiber of asbestos longer than five micrometers in a cubic centimeter of air (.lf/cc). For any period during the shift, workers must not be exposed to more than two asbestos fibers longer than five micrometers in a cubic centimeter of air (two fibers/cc3)

To meet the standard, the employer must use engineering controls such as isolation, enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, and dust collection.

Workers should check to make sure that local exhaust systems are operating properly. If the system is deficient, this should be reported immediately. Until repairs are made, the worker must be supplied with a respirator.

Monitoring -- Work places which contain asbestos products must be monitored by the employer to determine asbestos levels.

If monitoring levels indicate that workers have been exposed to more than the permissible limit, they must receive a written notice within five days of the employer's obtaining the test results. Workers must be allowed access to any record concerning their exposure to asbestos. The employer must keep records of asbestos exposures at least 30 years.

Medical Surveillance -- Workers must be provided with employer paid medical examinations within 30 days following the worker's first employment in an area with an airborne asbestos hazard. Such exams must include a medical history, chest x-ray, and lung function tests. Workers must be provided with medical exams once a year and within 30 days of termination of employment.

Further, employers must keep workers' medical records for at least 30 years. Employees or former employees have the right to request that his/her medical records be made available to other doctors.

Workers who change jobs should inform their doctor about their exposure to asbestos.

Personal Protective Equipment -- When airborne asbestos exceeds the OSHA standard, the employer must provide workers with personal protective equipment such as clothing, gloves, boots, head coverings, and, where necessary, air respirators.

CWA members who regularly work at a single location where they are exposed to excessive amounts of asbestos must be provided with change rooms. These must have two separated lockers or containers - - one for street clothes and one for protective clothes - - for each worker. Shower facilities must also be provided. Workers should shower at the end of each shift.

In addition, the employer is responsible for the cleaning, maintaining, and disposing of all personal protective equipment.

What Can You Do?

All CWA members should make sure that their employer is maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. The key to making the workplace safe for all CWA members is strong, active Local safety and health committees. The committee can identify dangerous conditions at the workplace and discuss them with management. If the employer refuses to cooperate, the committee can request an OSHA inspection. The committee should always coordinate its activities through the Local officers, the CWA Representatives, and negotiated safety and health committees.

In addition, CWA members may obtain information and assistance by contacting:

CWA Occupational Safety and Health Department
501 Third Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001-2797
Phone: (202) 434-1160
Revised 1987, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000

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