In countries such as the U.S., certain conveniences are often taken for granted, including cars, plumbing and electricity. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we rarely think about the amount of work and labor that went into producing these goods. Such a thought becomes poignant when we remember that some workers deal with asbestos exposure and other hazardous materials during the manufacturing process.

It’s important for us at Kazan Law to take time out and remember to honor these workers, and remind ourselves of why we’re trying to reduce the threat of asbestos exposure at home and around the world. That’s why, on April 28, we joined an international collection of labor unions in solidarity as we commemorated Workers’ Memorial Day as well as World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Organizations push for better working conditions
When it comes to industries such as construction or manufacturing, the health hazards that workers face go above and beyond the everyday stress that people in other sectors face. Not only are some of these jobs physically demanding, but they also expose workers to certain hazardous materials, including asbestos.

Every year, on April 28, unions such as the AFL-CIO celebrate Workers’ Memorial Day to remember individuals who died because of disease or injuries they suffered while on the job. These incidents are sometimes the product of negligence on the part of irresponsible employers. Workers’ Memorial Day reminds us of the importance of speaking up for these individuals and correcting the mistakes that cost them their lives.

In that spirit, the International Labour Organization also designated April 28 as World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The ILO notes that every year, 2.34 million individuals around the world die from job-related causes. Of these casualties, 2.02 million are caused by diseases, including malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis.

This means that, on average, one person dies every 15 seconds because of a work-related accident or sickness. Developing countries are disproportionately hit because of the prominence that hazardous industries such as construction and mining have within their economies.

These trends are not only upsetting because they hurt the global economy – there’s also an immeasurable human cost for those who die, as well as the loved ones they leave behind.

However, April 28 reminds us of the importance of letting workers have a voice in unions, and collecting good data that holds industries accountable for their practices.

Kazan Law fights for workers
When it comes to asbestos-related diseases alone, the World Health Organization estimates that these illnesses claim more than 107,000 lives every year because of occupational asbestos exposure. The agency is working with intergovernmental groups around the planet to solve this problem by curbing asbestos use, encouraging the use of safer alternative materials and supporting research toward better treatments.

Our law firm is happy to stand by such causes. On a more local level, we also fight irresponsible companies who unscrupulously expose their workers to asbestos. Some of our recent victories include the cases of an auto mechanic for the Ford Motor Company in Hayward, Calif., a PG&E laborer, a machinist and a welder. All of these individuals were exposed to asbestos without receiving adequate warning or protection from the dangers involved, and we succeeded in persuading juries to award them a more-than-combined $20 million in damages.

Still, it would have been best if none of them were exposed to asbestos in the first place. This is why it’s important to continue fighting for the safety of all workers around the world.

In some parts of the country, the economic climate has forced several communities to consider drastic actions to revive their job sectors. For some regions, this means turning to mining. This isn’t a decision to take lightly, because mining can wreck the local environment. Also, depending on what the local rock ores and soil are made of, the mining operations can potentially put the surrounding communities at risk of asbestos exposure.

Whenever these proposals pop up, it’s no wonder that local residents and experts often become worried. In Wisconsin, where a state Senate bill would approve the establishment of iron mines, one retired geologist wrote in to a local newspaper, explaining that these operations would be a mistake for a number of reasons – asbestos exposure being one of them.

Where is asbestos found?
One of the troubles of mining for isolated minerals like iron is that the miners have to tear through other ores and minerals to get to what they want. If this rock includes asbestos, that can mean trouble for the workers and residents.

Naturally occurring asbestos can be found in certain layers of rock that lie near fault zones. In these areas, asbestos can make up between 1 and 25 percent of the volume of rock and soil.

Mineral fibers usually don’t pose a threat to local people unless they’re disturbed, and a mining operation is certain to put people at risk.

Geologist questions the pros and cons
Neil Koch, a retired geologist, wrote an editorial for the Dunn County News in Wisconsin. He took issue with state Senate Bill 1, which would open the way for a pit iron mine in northern Wisconsin. Although such an industry would create more jobs and lead to the establishment of more retail businesses to accommodate economic growth, Koch said the benefits cannot last forever. In fact, he anticipates it becoming non-profitable at a certain point, and once the miners leave, the local residents will be left devastated.

For one thing, the mining operations are likely to rip asbestos fibers out of the soil, therefore increasing people’s risks of diseases such as malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. Also, the machinery and waste rock involved in mining would contaminate the local air and bodies of water with chemical hazards such as mercury and arsenic.

Koch said that he’d seen other mining towns go in this direction in the past, and he’s afraid that communities in Wisconsin won’t be able to recover once they’ve exhausted the land’s resources. He also pointed out that rates of mesothelioma tend to be higher in areas such as the former mining communities in northern Minnesota, compared to the rest of the country.

Keep soil and dirt out of your house
Researchers have known about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure since the early 20th century. Since then, the asbestos industry has fought scientists every step of the way in their efforts to protect the general public from asbestos-containing materials.

If you’re worried about how to keep asbestos-tainted soil and dust out of the house, there are several ways you can protect yourself from asbestos exposure:

• Walk, run, bike or hike only on paved ground.
• Make sure your children only play on ground that’s covered in mulch, grass, sand, wood chips, grass, asphalt or rubber.
• Pave over any unpaved areas that surround your house.
• Place doormats outside each entrance so that people and pets can wipe their feet before entering.
• Keep your windows and doors closed on windy days.
• Vacuum your carpet using only products that have HEPA filters.
• Use only wet rags or mops to dust or clean non-carpeted areas.

It’s unfortunate that you, as the consumers, need to know how to protect yourself from unscrupulous and irresponsible businesses. If you think this is unfair too, let your lawmakers know how you feel about the dangers of asbestos exposure.