Approximately 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related diseases.

Older buildings have been constructed with several asbestos-containing materials such as drains, electrical insulation, external cladding, fibrous cement sheeting, flue pipes, gaskets, gutters, roof insulation, switchboards and vinyl tiles.

Service maintenance, refurbishment and demolition work of such buildings, risks disturbing asbestos deposits within these materials, exposing workers, neighbouring businesses and the wider community to airborne asbestos fibres.

Undetected asbestos exposure poses significant health risks to workers and can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma (cancer of the external lung lining). Disease symptoms can also affect a worker’s presentism, productivity and healthcare burden.

Proactive health monitoring for hazardous substances not only ensures that your workers are receiving adequate healthcare prior to developing serious symptoms, but also allows employers the chance to implement effective mitigation strategies.

How does asbestos exposure affect the human body?

When airborne asbestos fibres (invisible to the human eye) are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and the surrounding chest cavity. Over time, these fibre deposits initiate a repeating cycle of tissue damage, repair and inflammation leading to severe respiratory issues and eventually the rise of cancerous cells (e.g. mesothelioma and lung, ovarian or laryngeal cancer).

Signs and symptoms of asbestos exposure

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent dry cough
• Chest pain or chest tightness
• Crackling sound when an individual inhales
• Coughing up blood
• Fingertips appear to be wider and rounder than normal (referred to as clubbing)
• Swelling or pain of the abdomen or pelvic region
• Loss of appetite/weight loss

Risk factors for asbestos-related diseases

• Exposure dose – no amount of asbestos is considered to be safe; the more asbestos that is inhaled, the more likely that an individual will fall ill
• Duration – disease development is more common in individuals who have had long-term exposure (months or years)
• Type of asbestos fibre – needle-shaped fibres (found in cement sheets, fire protection and roofing products) are slightly more hazardous than curly-shaped fibres (found in brake pads, drywall and insulation)
• Medical conditions ­– individuals with pre-existing lung conditions are more likely to develop asbestosis-related diseases

Mitigating the risk of asbestos exposure in the workplace 

Employers can assist in mitigating the risk of asbestos exposure in several ways:

1. Ensure compliance with industry standards: ensure you have an on-site, up-to-date asbestos register as required by the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations and keep up with the movements of regulatory bodies such as WorkSafe Australia and Occupational Health Services Australia (OHSA)
2. Workplace practices and procedures: implement appropriate protective work practices, including wet-cleaning and use of HEPA filtration vacuuming systems for removing asbestos-containing debris
3. Promote workplace awareness: encourage workers to eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics away from asbestos-contaminated areas
4. Education: increase worker awareness around the nature of operations that can increase asbestos exposure, short and long-term health effects, when to utilise personal protective equipment and how to correctly execute removal procedures
5. Medical surveillance – employers should institute a medical surveillance program

Monitoring for asbestos exposure

Often, related diseases do not begin to manifest for 20–40 years after initial exposure.

Health surveillance medicals should be performed prior to work initiation, every 2 years thereafter and at work termination, and should include:

• A screening questionnaire
• Medical evaluation
• Spirometry (test of lung function)
• Chest X-ray (if deemed necessary by an occupational physician)

In the case that asbestos deposits are identified, a consultation with a respiratory physician is required to discuss appropriate management plans and treatment options.

Hazardous substance health monitoring is vital for employers to identify and track workers who are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, ensuring timely medical intervention and increased chances of survival.

Contact Sonic HealthPlus to arrange a hazardous substance health monitoring programme today.