Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Risks for Families of Some Workers in Puerto Rico

Due to the unique properties found in asbestos, it was used for decades in thousands of commercial products and building materials. While asbestos-containing materials may have many beneficial attributes, they can also release fibers into the air when they are disturbed and as they age and become friable.
 
Asbestos fibers cannot be seen with the naked eye so they can be inhaled and get trapped deep in people’s lungs. If swallowed, these fibers can become embedded into the digestive tract. The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that significant exposure to any type of asbestos will increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The ATSDR also reports that asbestos-related disease has been diagnosed in not just workers that dealt with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, but also with family members. The National Cancer Institute states that this risk is thought to result from exposure to asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin and hair of workers. This exposure to family members is often referred to as secondhand, secondary or take-home asbestos exposure.
 
“Workers in a number of industries in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean deal with asbestos-containing materials on a regular basis,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “There are regulations in place to protect workers, but there can be circumstances if these regulations are not followed or when workers do not realize they are being exposed to asbestos fibers that could create health concerns for them and their families.”
 
To protect workers and help companies comply with asbestos regulations, Zimmetry Environmental has teams of professionals that provide testing and consulting services in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean.  They also recently sponsored an educational video about asbestos and secondhand exposure that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/l6pVwqoAMUk
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their asbestos, indoor air quality, environmental, occupational and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
 

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