> Asbestos Exposure > Occupational Exposure > Abatement Workers

Abatement Workers and Pleural Mesothelioma

Asbestos abatement workers are considered one of the at-risk occupations for pleural mesothelioma, as these workers regularly come in contact with asbestos materials and may not always be properly protected to avoid dangerous levels of exposure.

Asbestos and Abatement Workers

Dust abatement methods, including those for the abatement of asbestos dust, involves a number of methods, such as the spraying of water on dusty areas at construction, renovation and demolition sites. Abatement oil, which is organic oil that lubricates and penetrates, is most commonly used to remove asbestos dust debris. This oil product is applied by lathering the oil onto the contaminated surface, and then removing the oil and asbestos dust by wiping with a clean and dry cloth.

In domestic homes, asbestos abatement involves the following four methods:

• Enclosure: The enclosure of asbestos-containing materials involves building a box around the contaminated area, thus hopefully preventing damaged asbestos particles from entering the air.
• Encapsulation: The encapsulation method involves the specific application of an acrylic substance with a sprayer over the asbestos material rather than enclosing it in a box.
• Repair: This form of abatement presents a serious exposure risk if not done with proper protection and safety measures because damaged asbestos materials release fibers during the repair process.
• Removal: This abatement method completely removes and replaces the asbestos-contaminated materials and presents the greatest threat of asbestos exposure for the worker if protective clothing and safety measures are not followed stringently.

Because the body faces difficulty in processing and removing asbestos fibers, the fibers tend to remain in the body and cause irreparable damage over time. If an abatement worker experiences repeated asbestos exposure, the fibers can collect in the body over time. Exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of deadly diseases and pleural mesothelioma cancer is one of the most dangerous conditions that can develop.

Abatement workers who have been exposed to asbestos should promptly notify their doctor to receive regular checkups for signs of pleural mesothelioma. For abatement workers who have already developed pleural mesothelioma, additional resources for treatment and compensation are available. For more information, fill out the form on this page to receive an informational packet in the mail.