Application Of Sprayed Inorganic Fiber Containing Asbestos: Occupational Health Hazards - (1972)

Understanding the Health Risks of Sprayed Asbestos: A Legal Perspective

Abstract
The study "Application of Sprayed Inorganic Fiber Containing Asbestos: Occupational Health Hazards," authored by William B. Reitze, William J. Nicholson, Duncan A. Holaday, and Irving J. Selikoff, was published in the American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal in March 1972. This pivotal research investigates the occupational health risks associated with the use of sprayed asbestos-containing materials in construction. The study highlights the alarming levels of airborne asbestos fibers generated during spraying operations, with concentrations ranging from 30 f/cc to over 100 f/cc. It also emphasizes the risks of indirect exposure to nearby workers and the long-term health consequences, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The authors propose control measures to mitigate these risks but acknowledge the economic and practical challenges of implementing them.

Legal Relevance
This study provides critical evidence for asbestos-related legal claims, particularly for individuals who developed diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis due to occupational exposure. The detailed documentation of fiber concentrations and exposure scenarios strengthens claims of negligence against employers, manufacturers, and contractors. The study demonstrates that the risks of asbestos exposure were well-known by the 1970s, making it foreseeable that workers and bystanders could suffer harm.

The article also highlights the inadequacy of control measures at the time, which can be used to argue that defendants failed to meet their duty of care. For example, the study’s findings on indirect exposure risks support claims that even workers not directly involved in spraying operations were put in harm’s way. This evidence is invaluable in countering common defense arguments that exposure levels were too low to cause harm or that safety measures were sufficient.

Occupation Groups at Risk
The study identifies several occupational groups at high risk of asbestos exposure due to their proximity to sprayed asbestos-containing materials. These include:

1. Construction Workers: Workers involved in high-rise construction projects were directly exposed to asbestos fibers during spraying operations.
2. Insulation and Fireproofing Workers: These workers handled asbestos-containing materials for fireproofing and thermal insulation, often in poorly ventilated environments.
3. Pipefitters and Welders: These tradespeople frequently worked in areas where asbestos spraying occurred, exposing them to airborne fibers.
4. Electricians and Plumbers: These workers were often present on construction sites during or shortly after asbestos spraying, putting them at risk of indirect exposure.
5. Shipyard Workers: The use of asbestos for fireproofing in shipbuilding exposed these workers to significant fiber concentrations.
6. Maintenance and Utility Workers: These individuals often worked in buildings where asbestos-containing materials had been sprayed, leading to long-term exposure risks.

These groups are particularly vulnerable due to the high levels of asbestos fibers documented in the study, which ranged from 70 f/cc at ten feet from the spraying site to 46 f/cc seventy-five feet away.

Current Medical Understanding
The study aligns with current medical knowledge about the health risks of asbestos exposure. It correctly identifies asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma as primary diseases caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Modern research continues to support the conclusion that even low levels of asbestos exposure can lead to severe health consequences decades later. The study’s emphasis on the inadequacy of control measures underscores the importance of eliminating asbestos use altogether, a practice now adopted in many countries.

Citation
Reitze, W.B., Nicholson, W.J., Holaday, D.A., & Selikoff, I.J. (1972). Application of sprayed inorganic fiber containing asbestos: Occupational health hazards. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 33(3), 178-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/0002889728506628

National Library of Medicine Link
For additional context and credibility, you can access the study on the National Library of Medicine’s website: PubMed Link.

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