Asbestos was once marveled as the “miracle fiber” of the 20th century. Its heat and fire resistant properties made it an obvious choice for use in places where extremely high temperatures were part of job. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the metal working industry. Plants that manufacture steel and aluminum often used asbestos in a number of different applications to help protect against fire and heat. The use of asbestos in this industry probably saved many lives, but that is no excuse to ignore the harmful and hazardous attributes of asbestos, or the mesothelioma cancer that is linked to it.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of serious health problems later in life, including asbestos cancer. The overwhelming majority of people that develop asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma and asbestosis, were exposed to asbestos at some point during their occupational history. A number of occupations are considered to be at an increased risk for exposure to asbestos. Shipyard and metal workers are thought to be among the most likely to have been exposed to asbestos during its heyday; however, today construction workers are probably at the greatest risk for on the job exposure to asbestos. Cancer and other health complications are common for these workers.

First, if the benzene was released into the air, get fresh air by leaving the area where the benzene was released. Moving to an area with fresh air is a good way to reduce the possibility of death from exposure to benzene in the air.

Immediate symptoms of exposure to benzene

People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop the following symptoms within minutes to several hours after exposure:

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Headaches

• Tremors

• Confusion

• Unconsciousness

• Death (at very high levels)