Asbestos can be found in numerous industrial products such as in automobiles, building materials, electrical parts, household appliances, tiles and insulations. But what you might not know is that asbestos can also be found in jewelries. Yes, the ones you keep in your jewelry box and wear to enhance your look!
Mineral crystal is the main part of a gemstone. Several of these crystals contain asbestos fibres. Many people also collect these stones as mineral specimens including children.
Although the health risk is pretty low from wearing jewelries contacting asbestos, working and playing with these stones can be a health risk factor when they are broken, grinned or damaged.
It can be concluded that jewellers are at higher risk of inhaling asbestos particles while they are cutting, sanding and shaping asbestos-containing gemstones. Inhaling the fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
People who are working in jeweller shops especially anyone who sweeps asbestos dust and those who handle, collect and transport these type of gemstones run higher risk of asbestos exposure.
A few of gemstones containing asbestos are: Tiger’s eye, Cat’s eye, Hawk’s eye, Mesolite, Brucite, Yuksporite and Silkstone.
Those who are working with these materials can limit Asbestos exposure by using high filtering masks such as N-100, wearing tight fitting eyewear, working in a well ventilated area and keeping their work clothes at work place and switch to a clean clothes before leaving the shop. Also it is important to double bag and label asbestos containing waste and dispose of it in a designated landfill.
Think you have Asbestos at home or workplace? Give us a call at 604-725-4668!