Health Hub: Asbestos & Chemical Exposures

AFT members and the workforce nationwide use thousands of chemicals every day. While many of these chemicals are suspected of being harmful, only a small number are regulated in the workplace. As a result, workers suffer more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually related to chemical exposures. Workplace chemical exposures have been linked to cancers, and other lung, kidney, skin, heart, stomach, brain, nerve, and reproductive diseases. Dusts, like asbestos and silica are likewise dangerous to work around and require safeguards to be in place.

Below, access free resources and information for dealing with asbestos and chemical exposures.

Work-Related Asthma and Cleaning

• ​​Cleaning Products and Asthma
• Cleaning products and asthma risk:  a potentially important public health concern, Elissa M. Abrams MD
• American Lung Association: Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals

Oven Cleaner Hazards

• The Hazards of Oven Cleaners

Hazard Communication

• Hazard Communication: 'The Right to Know' for Custodial and Maintenance Workers
• OSHA 3491 Quick Card Pictogram
• OSHA 3492 Quick Card Label
• OSHA 3493 Quick Card Safety Data Sheet
• Hazard Communication

Diesel Fuel and Exhaust

• The Many Hazards of Diesel Fuel and Exhaust

PFOA and PFOS – The “Forever” Chemicals

• Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: The ‘Forever’ Chemicals
• EPA FACT SHEET: PFOA & PFOS Drinking Water Health Advisories

Asbestos

• The Hazards of Asbestos
• EPA Asbestos Information
• OSHA Asbestos Information
• NIOSH Asbestos Site
• Protecting Workers from the Hazards of Asbestos-Containing Flooring Material Maintenance

Children and Chemical Exposures

• The Cost of Chemicals
• Messing with Kids' Brains

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

• PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings
• PCB-Containing Fluorescent Light Ballasts
• New Solutions for PCBs in Schools (2010)
• PCB Health Hazards
• Phish - Chalk Dust Torture