Asbestos a Concern for Shipyard Workers
Article Added November 20th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
A former warehouse at the Hingham Shipyard has workers concerned that they may have been exposed to asbestos. After the building was demolished, the extent of asbestos in the building was found.
Workers in the Hingham Shipyard warehouse thought nothing of the asbestos in the building when they were notified of its presence. Officials told the staff that there was asbestos in the area due to old piping insulation, but that the material would not really pose a health threat. After the building was demolished, it was found that the potentially deadly material was throughout the building – and that the amount of exposure was more than they were told.
Asbestos riddled the old building; often when a delivery truck would back up into the loading dock, dust would fall from the ceilings and windows. Workers thought nothing of it until air tests performed in 2001 prior to demolition found that the dust contained moderate levels of asbestos. When asbestos dust is breathed in, it becomes lodged in the lungs and can result in respiratory conditions such as asbestosis, emphysema and mesothelioma. A form of aggressive lung cancer, mesothelioma can take years to develop and is often times terminal at the time of detection. State officials are discussing the health concern at this time.
Article Added November 20th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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