3 Toxins that are High Occupational Risks

Occupations such as factory, construction, machinery and other workers are often exposed to many risks throughout the work day. These blue collar employees face dangers on a day-to-day basis that are both visible and invisible to the eye. This is an important issue in the United States that more people should be aware of. There are laws in place to protect workers, however, more can be done to bring awareness to these issues. 

Many companies and organizations have very well defined rules regarding the health and safety of their people, and most are required to do so by local, state, or federal law. These employee programs are designed specifically to enhance the safety and wellbeing of the workplace. More often than not, the fear of injury in the workplace stems from jobs that have people suspended in the air, working with heavy machinery, or perhaps lifting heavy objects. It’s easy to be aware of the physical dangers jobs pose to our bodies, but invisible dangers that put our internal health at risk is often overlooked.

The air we’re breathing on a daily basis directly correlates with our lung health. An unfortunate reality for those who work in professions such as mining, construction, renovation and factories is the dust, debris, and chemicals that they come into contact with everyday. For those working in the occupational field, keeping healthy and protecting one’s lungs from airborne toxins is crucial. 

Asbestos 

The material asbestos was a popular ingredient in many construction products prior to the 1980s, considering its ability to withstand heat and fire. Once it was discovered as a carcinogen the bulk of its use was halted, however it’s still legal to use in the United States. Used as a natural binding agent, asbestos can be found in cement, insulation, ceilings, roofs, walls and hundreds of other applications. For those working in blue collar jobs being exposed to asbestos is still a real risk. Strangely enough, those who work white collar jobs can be in danger if they are working in older offices.

Breathing in asbestos fibers can have awful consequences. The microscopic shape allows these fibers to attach to major organs and cause slow growing tumors. 20- 50 years will often pass before signs or symptoms appear and eventually these symptoms will reveal itself as mesothelioma cancer. The average life expectancy of someone battling pleural mesothelioma (of the lungs) is between 36-38 months when aggressively treated with radiation and chemotherapy.

Silica

Another toxic material that presents itself in hazardous work environments is silica. Similar to asbestos, silica is a naturally-made carcinogen. It can be found in sand, soil, glass and granite. There are two forms, noncrystalline and crystalline, however crystalline silica is more harmful to our lungs. Some examples include mixing industrial products, sawing and cutting, and other types of demolishing while on a job site and exposure is more common that some might think. According to Cooper & Co. it is estimated that about 2.3 million people are exposed to silica on the job in the United States.

Due to the carcinogenic nature of the mineral, silica is known to contribute to a number of illnesses; some more common than others. Among those are Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, silicosis, asthma and different forms of cancer.

Coal Dust

Historically, mining has always been a dangerous job. What has constantly been overlooked is the idea that dangers are more than just physical accidents. Working in confined spaces with poor ventilation for extended periods puts the lungs and internal organs at risk. When you mix in particle pollution like coal dust which is made up of small pieces of particulate matter that contain heavy metals like lead, mercury, tin and others at low concentrations, this profession becomes a serious health concern. Prolonged exposure to coal dust causes inflammation of the lungs and results illnesses like black lung disease, or pneumoconiosis. 

Concerns

Construction workers, miners and first responders are just a few of the obvious jobs that pose the highest risk for exposure to toxic particles. It’s important to realize what diseases are linked to environmental causes. According to a UN study completed in 2018, a worker dies from toxic exposure in the workplace approximately every 30 seconds, and that’s globally speaking. Educate yourself on the dangers that could potentially surround your workplace. If you are interested in learning more about toxin exposure and what more can be done to protect occupational workers, visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for more information.