Aug

31

Understanding Asbestos

Filed Under health and fitness 

Most people who are born 40 years ago may define asbestos as a substance that is man-made and dangerous to the public health. This is slightly untrue because asbestos is not made by factories but it can definitely cause serious illnesses to human beings.

Asbestos is naturally present in the environment but at very low levels so it poses no danger to humans. People who have jobs that require them to get exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers are more likely to develop an asbestos-related disease. Asbestos is not banned in the US, but many countries have completely outlawed mining of asbestos. However, other countries like Russia and Canada are still mining the mineral.

Asbestos is a group of highly-fibrous and naturally-occurring silicate mineral with long and thin fibrous crystals. Two types of asbestos: serpentine and amphibole. Chrysotile, a serpentine type, is the only one mined on a large-scale.

How Does Asbestos Cause Problems to Health?

Asbestos dust and fibers are produced during the manufacturing process and can be inhaled and/or swallowed by the people in the vicinity. Because these microscopic fibers cannot be exhaled, a build-up inside the lungs and other internal organs can occur that may lead to development of serious conditions like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Other types of cancers linked to asbestos exposure are found in the throat, esophagus, intestines, kidneys, gallbladder, intestines, and colon.

Exposure to Asbestos

Approximately, there are 3,000 commercial products that contain asbestos. The friable asbestos poses the highest risk of exposure because it is dry and can be easily crumbled by hand. Friable asbestos is mainly used as fireproofing material sprayed on buildings worldwide. However, even non-friable asbestos also releases tons of fibers; particularly when products are sanded, chopped, cut, hammered ” and when buildings are torn down.

High-risk jobs may include: construction and building, shipbuilding, demolition, dry-walling, firefighting, textiles, and auto brake repair

Symptoms of Diseases Related to Asbestos

Symptoms of illnesses related to asbestos typically appear after many decades, about 30 to 50 years or so. Depending on the spread and condition of the disease, symptoms may include: chest pain, swelling, coughing, hoarseness, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. People who develop any of these symptoms and have history of asbestos exposure must seek medical help immediately.

Wondering what is asbestos? Discover articles and videos on this and related topics at the New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog.

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