Listers,
Below is a message that was posted on the "Healey List". I asked, and
Dick said I could forward this to this list for everyone's information.
Jay F.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: asbestos
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 11:54:14 -0500 (EST)
From dickb at cheerful.com
Not directly related to asbestos, But every time I read something like
this thread I am compelled to talk about lung disease and Respirators.
I am 65, anda lawyer, But I have restored half a dozen LBCs and painted
three of those. I.E., I have done a fair amount of sanding and grinding
on old paint and primer and bondo and a somewhat lesser amount of
playing around with paint, hardner, thinner and the like.
Seven years ago, during a routine chest xray, I was referred for a CAT
scan and was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease/Pulmonary
Fibrosis. I have had semi-annual pulmonary function tests since then -
each a little worse than the last. So far I'm not dragging around an
oxygen tank but it's probably only a matter of time.
The Pulmonary Dr. told me that the lung condition I have is typical for
auto bodyshop workers, and is probably a result of inhaling the volatile
solvents and the dust to say nothing of the isocyonates that are in auto
paints and catalytic hardners.
I take my Pulmonary Function test at my local VA hospital and the other
guys being tested range in age from 30-70 and most of them were in the
Navy and had their share of scraping paint off the sides of ships.
Bottom line ----
PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING AROUND GAS FUMES OR EXHAUST FUMES OR WORK ON
PAINTED SURFACES THAT MIGHT RELEASE PAINT DUST OR BONDO DUST OR DO ANY
PRIMING OR PAINTING OR SANDING OR EVEN BUFFING ON YOUR LBC
*******WITHOUT WEARING AN APPROVED RESPIRATOR WITH FRESH
CARTRIDGES*******
Such a respirator costs less than $40 at your local paint supplier and
the cartidges are about $15-20. The cartridges get consumed while they
are just hanging in your garage so don't be lulled into a false sense of
security just because you have an old respirator on your face.
I'm sorry to run on like this but none of us think much of doing a
little painting or sanding "on the run" so to speak. We shouldn't - we
all have only one set of lungs.
DickB
---- you wrote:
> Alan,
>
> As observed by another couple of members, lung diseases caused by inhaling
> asbestos fibers generally require a more prolonged and/or concentrated
> exposure than that you describe. However, there are documented cases which
> appear to have been caused by atypical shorter or less concentrated
> exposures. There are experts who advise that an exposure even such as you
> describe would call for lifelong medical monitoring. The position of the US
> government now can reliably be stated to say that there is no safe level of
> exposure.
>
> Fifteen years is a relatively short period of time compared to latency
> periods typically seen in patients with asbestos-related lung diseases. It
> is probably more usual to see symptoms first observed as long as 30 or 40
> years after exposure ends. Today, for example, we still see asbestosis
> recently manifest in persons whose last known exposure was aboard ship
> during World War II -- seamen who did not work "hands-on" with asbestos but
> were only exposed to the asbestos-laden atmosphere aboard warships and
> merchant vessels of that time.
>
> So, while it would appear unlikely that your one instance of limited
> exposure would lead to a problem, as in the case of any other person a chest
> x-ray every year or two is a very good idea. If exposure to asbestos is
> suspected the x-ray should be read by a radiologist competent to recognize
> the signs of an asbestos-related lung disease. A pulmonary function test on
> an occasional basis may be in order. If you are, or once were, a smoker,
> your concern should be heightened. The onset of shortness of breath should
> also heighten your concern.
>
> Your question is the kind which should be discussed with your doctor. While
> the chances of your having a problem may be slim, mesothelioma is a horrid
> and invariably fatal disease. Although I have been involved in literally
> thousands of lawsuits alleging a disease caused by exposure to asbestos,
> neither I nor any other layman should be depended upon for medical advice
> such as you seek.
>
> I do not wish to cause you or any other person undue concern, but I felt
> compelled to state the other side as I felt some comments you have received
> from other quarters did not state the other side.
>
> All the best,
>
> Jim Brown
> Houston
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Alan Dahl <adahl@eskimo.com>
> To: <british-cars@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2000 5:41 PM
> Subject: asbestos
>
>
> > I am on the digest, please reply personally to this account if at all
> > possible, thank you.
> >
> > Years ago I had a 1978 Midget. The engine block was toast so I instead
> > installed the engine out of a '76 Spitfire. The emissions controls in '76
> > were different which required me to remove some of the '78 emissions
> > devices. Somewhere in the system, perhaps on the EGR valve, there was a
> > short pipe covered by a white substance most likely for heat-reduction.
> >
> > Can anyone tell me if this substance contains asbestos fibers? It crumbled
> > when damaged and sent fibers into the air. While I most likely did not
> > breath much of it (I got away quickly) some of it probably was inhaled and
> > landed on my clothes/hands.
> >
> > With all the alarms going off these days WRT asbestos exposure it would be
> > good to know if I have any risk factors or not. It's been 15 years and
> > there have been no symptoms but if this stuff is the real thing it would
> be
> > nice to know that I need to keep an eye on things.
> >
> > Also for those of you who are British car nuts what other asbestos risks
> > are there besides the well-known brake pads and clutch disks?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Alan Dahl
> > ----------
> > ___ ____ Alan Dahl | home: adahl@eskimo.com
> > /_ / / / Federal Way, WA, USA | work:
> Alan.Dahl@PSS.boeing.com
> > / / _/__/ --- http://www.eskimo.com/~adahl ---- ICQ
> 52688023 --------
>
>
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