Throughout the majority of the 20th century, power plants were a common location for asbestos exposure. Before the 1980s, asbestos was considered an ideal material due to its insulating properties and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Areas within power plants that often contained the hazardous substance included floors, walls, pipes, cables, valves, pumps and turbines. If these materials were damaged or disturbed at any time, either because of age or use, they may have released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air where they could be inhaled.
The effects of using asbestos are still being felt today as many past power plant workers are being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos.
Even though a former power plant worker may have been exposed to asbestos during the 1960s or 70s, there is still a risk for developing mesothelioma because symptoms can lay dormant for up to 50 years. Previous power plant workers who suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos should seek routine medical checkups for signs of asbestos exposure.
Receiving an early diagnosis and treating mesothelioma during the beginning stages of development is crucial in order to experience positive results from treatment. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed when the cancer has already reached stage 3 or 4, when the cancer has spread and curative treatment options are typically less effective.
In many cases, power plant workers did not have access to preventative equipment to protect them from exposure. Others were completely unaware that exposure to asbestos carried any risk at all. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and even the inhalation of a few fibers can result in the development of mesothelioma later in life.
Today, strict regulations enforced by the EPA help limit the risk of asbestos exposure. Workers employed in industries that may be prone to exposure are often supplied with proper equipment and carry out steps to prevent exposure.–Asbestos.com
Sept 5 – Oct 5
National Teachers Month
“Pay teachers decent wages,
Pay attention to teachers!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety, and Sanitation Month
Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 5)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday: International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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