Exposure to asbestos fibers can pose a real danger.  Be aware of the hazards associated with asbestos, and follow safe practices to eliminate the possibility of exposure to asbestos fibers.

There are many things to consider when performing electrical work on a home or building. Homes built prior to 1980 have the likelihood of harboring asbestos materials.

Electricians are trained individuals whose job requires the finite aspects of electrical components which often put them at risk. It is extremely important to make sure potential work locations have been tested for asbestos levels and removed by abatement contractors. Exposure to asbestos fibers can produce many health risks. Electricians should check local jurisdictions to see if electrical permits and health requirements are met.

Used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century, asbestos insulation has been a real problem for electricians and craftsmen due to causing a variety of health problems, including Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma. These types of cancer are produced from airborne asbestos fibers that take the lives of thousands each year.

While recent products used by electricians do not contain asbestos anymore, they are still faced with the task of working in buildings that were constructed before 1980.  As the dangers of asbestos were not in the mainstream or were repressed, electricians inhaled airborne fibers for years. Non-regulated asbestos material can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

Electricians may be exposed to asbestos during the course of their work when cutting through old drywall, working in attics, cellars, removing asbestos insulation and rewiring outdated electrical systems. Wearing a ventilator or face mask to avoid inhaling asbestos dust is vital in protecting yourself from these dangers.

To learn more about asbestos and its effects on electricians’ health, please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center at Asbestos.com.

Thanks to Richard Moyle, National Awareness Coordinator of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center in Orlando, Florida for providing this valuable article.