Miners are some of those most at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases due to exposure at work. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral within our Earth. It was mined extensively in the United States during the early 20th century for use within consumer products and construction materials and unfortunately is still mined today in many locations outside of the United States.
如果石棉纤维被人吸入，可能会出现严重的健康并发症。不幸的是，矿工（像许多其他职业一样）会在最危险的状态下接触石棉——当石棉布满灰尘时。面临石棉相关疾病严重风险的不仅仅是石棉矿工。那些开采地球内其他天然矿物的人也在不知不觉中接触了石棉。
其他受石棉污染的天然矿物
众所周知，石棉会污染用于从地球上开采不同天然矿物的矿山。除了呼吸系统疾病外，这些工人还因石棉污染而面临患间皮瘤等癌症的风险。
滑石
许多滑石矿的石棉矿脉与滑石矿脉相邻，因此当滑石被移除时，石棉会随之而来，使矿工暴露在石棉粉尘中。此外，根据矿源的不同，石棉是许多滑石粉产品中的已知污染物，包括婴儿爽身粉、爽身粉和不同的化妆品。
蛭石
与滑石矿类似，美国的蛭石矿也被认为受到石棉污染，使矿工面临石棉污染的风险。蛭石是一种类似云母的矿石，已用于房屋隔热、肥料、水泥混合物等。在蒙大拿州利比蛭石矿工作的矿工及其家人和邻居至今仍在经历石棉暴露的可怕影响。
患有间皮瘤矿工的合法权利
尽管目前美国没有正在运行的石棉矿或蛭石矿，但滑石矿仍然活跃，矿工仍然面临接触石棉的风险。 2008 年，矿山安全与健康管理局 (MSHA) 通过了保护矿工在工作中免受石棉接触的法规。该法规禁止采矿业雇主在 8 小时轮班期间让工人接触每立方米空气中石棉含量超过 0.1 纤维的环境。
联系律师讨论采矿石棉暴露问题
If you are a current or retired miner and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, like mesothelioma, or you believe you have developed mesothelioma from exposure to talc or vermiculite products contaminated with asbestos, it is advised that you contact an asbestos attorney as soon as possible. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced asbestos exposure attorneys today to determine your legal rights after being exposed to asbestos at work.
