US EPA

3101427 

Technical Report 

Indirect occupational exposure 

Brodeur, P 

1980 

NIOSH/00153958 

New York Academy of Sciences 

41-43 

English 

Ways in which industrial workers have suffered from indirect exposure to asbestos (1332214) are discussed. Workers engaged in a variety of trades have been exposed to asbestos when products containing the mineral were applied to steam pipes, boilers, and bulk heads. Workers with indirect exposure to asbestos include those in the building construction industry (SIC-3531). Among them are: welders; pipefitters; carpenters; plumbers; and electricians. Many have been exposed by being at construction sites when fireproofing materials containing asbestos were sprayed in buildings. It is estimated that as much as 25 percent of the 3 million pounds of asbestos sprayed during a year has not adhered to the building structure, resulting in enormous amounts of asbestos being blown into the surrounding air. Workers in the chemical industry have also had indirect exposure to asbestos when working with other people who worked with asbestos. Maintenance workers in such places as electric power stations have also been indirectly exposed to asbestos, causing many cases of asbestos related diseases. The author concludes that indirect exposure to asbestos is a very serious problem in occupational health, and that consideration should be given to curtailing indirect exposure to the disease causing substance. 

DCN-139784; Exposure limits; Health hazards; Industrial exposures; Asbestosis; Asbestos industry; Hazards; Industrial processes; Hazardous materials; Exposure levels; Construction industry; Asbestos dusts; 1332-21-4