Asbestos in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. Asbestos
The Government Accountability Office reported that the maintenance workers who worked underneath the buildings along Capitol Hill have been exposed to asbestos for years at a time. The workers were exposed primarily through the service lines and HVAC found underground the buildings. In addition to the asbestos exposure to the city workers, those working in shipyards in the area were also at risk for asbestos exposure.
Workers in the Washington Navy Yard are also at risk for developing mesothelioma due to the asbestos exposure. The building found on the premises was converted to an office building back in the 1960s, and due to its construction date, it more than likely contains asbestos. Due to the amount of flammable equipment and parts found on site, the Washington Navy Yard heavily used asbestos to provide fire proofing. Ironically, some of the asbestos exposure was due to the workers wearing nonflammable gear to protect themselves from the fire and heat. When these items of clothing are torn, asbestos fibers are disturbed and released into the air. When inhaled, the asbestos fibers attach themselves to the lining of the lungs (pleura) and begin to either scar the tissues or develop into mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining).
Asbestos manufacturers have known for decades about the health risks involved with working around and being exposed to the fibers. However, they failed to disclose pertinent information about asbestos to the general public and employers could not take preventative and protective measures for their employees’ safety.
Deaths Caused by Asbestos
For every million, approximately 11 people die of an asbestos-related disease. This statistic ranks Washington, D.C. 30th in the United States in overall asbestos deaths. Due to the Capitol’s extensive history with the Navy shipyard and the work done just beneath the cement surfaces of Capitol Hill, many have been exposed to asbestos and have developed asbestosis (scarring of lung tissues) or mesothelioma.
