Asbestos watch: taking caution in the workplace
While asbestos exposure in the workplace has been minimized significantly over the past few decades, employees/workers are still exposed to dangerous toxins and chemicals in the workplace today.
Not everyone exposed to asbestos becomes ill, but those who do become ill can suffer serious health issues as a result of direct exposure to asbestos fibers. The most serious health issue can be mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer.
How can you be sure your worksite is free of asbestos and other toxic chemicals? What can you do to prevent toxic exposure if you work in the construction industry or with materials that could contain traces of asbestos?
Any form of toxic exposure can cause serious, life-altering injuries. Unlike other physical injuries, exposure to chemicals and toxins may not be visible to the eye. If you work at a construction site, with chemicals in a plant or in a similar industry where various chemicals are used, you should be sure to have regular health screenings.
Regular health screenings can be the best preventative measure to ensure your health and safety. Health screenings are particularly important for those who have already been exposed to chemicals/toxins in the workplace. In almost all cases, early detection of an illness can result in more viable options for treatment.
While there is less risk of asbestos exposure today, toxic exposure still occurs in California. Hopefully in the near future, there will be changes in legislation that better protect workers and help eliminate exposure to asbestos-containing materials and toxic chemicals in the workplace.
If you have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, you may be entitled to legal representation. It is important you talk with an attorney about your options for benefits and to learn about your rights.