Stone Masons

Why Stone Masons are at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Stone masons have a difficult and physically demanding job, but none probably expected the lung problems that are associated with asbestos exposure. A stone mason lays brick and block, and is heavily involved in the construction industry, but most did not realize that they are just as likely to have suffered from asbestos exposure as many others in the construction trade.

Prior to 1978, asbestos was widely used in many building projects, including as an additive to concrete. The reason that asbestos fibers were added to concrete was to increase the strength of the concrete. Although this practice is no longer practiced, stone masons who worked in the industry prior to 1978 were almost certainly exposed to asbestos. Once the dangers of asbestos exposure became widely used, asbestos was replaced as the strengthening compound in the concrete.

Because of rules established by the Environmental Protection Agency that prevents the use of asbestos in building materials, stone masons installing new projects do not have to worry. The stone masons working to day that are at risk for developing asbestos related diseases are the many stone masons that work in the remodeling business. Remodeling a home or commercial business that was built prior to 1978 means that exposure to asbestos is once again a concern. The risk of asbestos exposure is at the highest when asbestos fibers are disturbed. For this reason, the removal of asbestos containing concrete is a huge risk factor for asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is most hazardous when it is damaged in some way. Even if the asbestos in the structure you are remodeling is in good condition, once you begin the process of demolition, you run the risk of asbestos exposure. The EPA has a set of guidelines that should be followed when dealing with asbestos. Confusion often arises when the stone mason is not made aware of asbestos containing building materials on site before the project begins. For your long term health, it makes sense to question the project manager to determine whether the building that you are working on contains asbestos.

Stone masons that worked in the industry prior to 1978 should also be concerned. For stone masons that were employed in the industry prior to 1978, the illnesses related to exposure may just now be diagnosed, given the long lag time between exposure and diagnoses of disease. This is one of the unfortunate side effects of asbestos related disease. Because they develop so long after the initial exposure, it is often hard to pinpoint when your exposure occurred.

While workers in the mining and milling industries used to suffer from the largest number of cases of asbestos exposure, as buildings age, construction workers, including stone masons, are increasingly at risk of developing asbestos related diseases. If you are working on a building that contains asbestos, take precautions both when you are working on the project and when you leave each day. Were protective clothing and respirators, and leave at the job site at the end of the day. Wash your hands and face before you eat or drink, and before you go home. Not only do you want to avoid exposure to asbestos, but you want to prevent your coworkers and family from being exposed as well.

If you are concerned that you have already suffered from asbestos exposure, you should share your concerns with your family physician. The early a diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestosis is made, the more effective the treatment will be. Knowing your past history of exposure helps your doctor decide what screening tools he should use and when to provide you with the best possible medical care.

Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos, particularly long term exposure, causes asbestosis, a chronic lung disease with no cure, and mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer that spreads rapidly and has a poor prognosis. Both of these disease take many years to develop in the body once the worker is exposed. The cruel fact is, many cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma occur at the time when people who have worked hard their entire life are planning to settle into retirement.

The diseases related to asbestos exposure often are not diagnosed until they are fairly advanced. The reason for this is because the symptoms of both mesothelioma and asbestosis are vague and can be confused for a variety of other diseases until they are in the latter stages. In the case of asbestosis, there is no effective cure, only treatment to ease the shortness of breath patients suffer from. Mesothelioma, which is treated with any combination of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery still has a very low survival rate, with few of those afflicted still alive 18 months after diagnosis.

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