Federal Agency Seeks Input About Safe Levels of Asbestos Exposure
Recently, NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, has made certain documents regarding asbestos and regulations for occupational exposure public. NIOSH is requesting peer and scientific review and comments from other federal agencies, interested parties, and involved stakeholders until April 16.
It is not often that a federal agency in charge of occupational regulation of toxic substances such as asbestos makes such a move. Their openness to review their current policies in order to update them and revise if necessary to ensure highest safety standards for the public and workers is applauded.
Thousands of people each year die of an asbestos related illness, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. These diseases are directly linked with exposure to asbestos, most often occurring on the job. Construction workers run a high risk of exposure, especially if involved in demolition, renovation or conversion activities of buildings constructed before the mid 1980s. Prior to this time, thousands of building materials were manufactured using asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly insulating and fire retardant.
NIOSH and OSHA currently say any product containing more than 1% of asbestos is considered an “asbestos containing material” (ACM). There is a strong association between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma. Amphiboles asbestos fibers are particularly known to cause mesothelioma. Amphiboles are hydrate mineral silicates found in the form of amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite asbestos.
NIOSH would like to expand on current state of scientific knowledge concerning mesothelioma risk due to occupational exposure. Particularly they are asking for input from others so that they can make sure their current policies reflect and are in accordance with the highest levels of safety necessary to prevent unsafe exposure and risk of mesothelioma.
If interested in finding out more about current documents or to participate in the public review, visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/comment/public/ or check out the following links:
- Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongate Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research Version 4 (NIOSH-099-C)
- Ten-Year Review of the NIOSH Radiation Dose Evaluation Program (NIOSH-194)
