Police and Mesothelioma
When pondering who might be subject to developing asbestos cancer, thoughts of factory workers, insulators, chemical plant workers, oil refinery employees, mechanics, and other tradesmen come to mind. However, few stop to think that our nation’s law enforcement officials and emergency responders also consistently put themselves in harm’s way as far as asbestos is concerned.
The plight of the 9/11 emergency responders, including police, firefighters, EMTs, and others, finally brought to light the fact that these hard-working individuals are constantly at risk for developing asbestos-caused diseases like mesothelioma. Those police officers who were exposed to all the debris that fell on that fateful September day continue to suffer extensively from severe pulmonary problems, including the development of mesothelioma cancer.
But there doesn’t need to be a disaster like 9/11 to put a police officer in danger of getting sick due to asbestos exposure. An on-duty police officer who enters homes, factories, and commercial buildings where asbestos might be a concern constantly puts him/her at risk. Furthermore, it has been noted that many officers – particularly those in an urban setting – work in old, dilapidated precinct buildings that have seen better days; inside many of them is worn, damaged asbestos that is releasing toxic fibers in the air where they can be inhaled and eventually cause mesothelioma cancer.
Even law enforcement animals are placed in danger due to asbestos exposure. Many of them are exposed to the same toxic hazards their handlers face while on the job and, while rare, it is possible for a hard-working police dog to develop mesothelioma as well.
These days, police officers need to demand that they be properly protected from such hazards, both in their precincts and when they go out in the field. Just a few pieces of essential equipment, attention to maintenance, and training about the hazards of toxic asbestos will help keep them safe from harm and greatly lessen the chance that they will be facing asbestos cancer in the future.
