Many people who are aware of the dangers of asbestos may believe that it is only a health concern for WWII veterans and firefighters. However, the issue of asbestos exposure is very relevant for other professionals, including EMS and first responders, as well as others who may respond to a natural disaster or other emergency. ..

Many people who are aware of the dangers of asbestos may believe that it is only a health concern for WWII veterans and firefighters. However, the issue of asbestos exposure is very relevant for other professionals, including EMS and first responders, as well as others who may respond to a natural disaster or other emergency. Asbestos exposure is the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that typically manifests in the lungs.

Asbestos Safety Procedures

It is imperative that all people, especially first responders and safety personnel, understand how to protect themselves in the event that asbestos fibers become airborne and may be inhaled. The best way to avoid asbestos inhalation is to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. In addition, other safety gear such as gloves or booties that cover your shoes should be worn, to prevent the transmission of asbestos fibers from one location to another. If possible, first responders may want to cover the nose and mouth of injured people at the site of a disaster or emergency to prevent them from inhaling asbestos fibers.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance recommends keeping an ‘Asbestos Emergency Kit’ on hand if you are a first responder or happen to live in an area where natural disasters (like hurricanes or earthquakes) are prevalent and asbestos exposure is therefore likely. You should keep the following items in your kit:

• Gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Disposable clothing
• Booties
• Garbage bags (if you must remove and dispose of asbestos materials before a certified asbestos abatement technician is available, first wet all asbestos materials and then place them carefully in garbage bags. Seal the bags and mark them clearly so that people know the bags contain asbestos)
• Water bottles (to wet asbestos materials before moving them)
• Important telephone numbers of local asbestos abatement technicians and asbestos disposal locations (asbestos must be disposed of safely under the law in a designated asbestos landfill)

Adding the above items to your general emergency preparedness kit is a good idea, especially if you are a first responder who may be required to move asbestos materials on location in an effort to better assist individuals that may require medical assistance.

Protecting Yourself

First responders, police and other safety professionals should take note of the ways that firefighters protect themselves from asbestos exposure. Wear protective gear at all times when in an area where asbestos inhalation might occur. Before leaving the location, remove all clothing, other gear, shoes, etc. and either wash them or seal them in an airtight container to prevent transfer of friable asbestos to another location (people can be exposed to asbestos in a secondhand fashion – say, a child who inhales asbestos that was transferred home on their parent’s work coat). Like firefighters, it is important that first responders monitor their respiratory health to not only keep an eye on their mesothelioma cancer risk, but their risk of developing other illnesses as well.

To learn more, please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.

Sources

• Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance
• YouTube

This information is offered as information only and is designed to promote Health & Safety in the workplace and the community. It is subject to change.