Asbestosis and Silicosis, have come to the forefront in the past decades as noncancerous diseases that can seriously damage the health of workers who are exposed to hazardous materials. Both asbestos and respirable crystalline silica are listed under the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA’s) list of toxic and hazardous substances and their use is regulated by law in the U.S. to help minimize the occupational risk of exposure. The construction industry is a common area where asbestosis and silicosis are of concern, although many other settings are impacted. In this article, we explore the commonalities and differences of asbestosis and silicosis.
In either case, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to asbestosis and silicosis. Employers and building managers must take care to avoid exposing people to the toxic dust produced by disturbing materials containing asbestos or crystalline silica. A plan to prevent this must be created and followed. Assessing the levels and exposure over time of these two airborne particles must be done periodically and especially when activities are occurring that are likely to cause them to be released into the air.
It is important to have a properly qualified, experienced, and independent firm to help with planning for, assessing, and monitoring exposure.
RPF Environmental can help you ensure your workers are safer and can help you breathe easier when the inspectors drop by. We have been helping companies plan for their workers’ safety and providing air quality testing, including assessments to help measure the amount of fresh air in building spaces, since 1991.
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