Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that has been used in the manufacture of thousands of industrial and building products and materials. It is a naturally-occurring substance that has been mined for centuries. Because it exists all over the world, asbestos exposure is a normal occurrence for most people living on the earth today, but fortunately, the exposure to asbestos is limited and usually not dangerous. Most people that inhale naturally-occurring asbestos fibers will never experience any health problems from that asbestos exposure.
The reason for its popularity is due to its many unusual physical traits. It is chemically inert, extremely heat resistant, exceptionally strong, resistant to both acid and alkaline solutions, and is flexible enough to be able to be woven and spun. These many amazing qualities are why it became so popular in the manufacture of various products.
Asbestos Exposure is Not Always Dangerous
Asbestos is not dangerous unless its microscopic fibers become airborne. If asbestos fibers remain inside their respective asbestos-containing products, and are not released into the environment, they are perfectly safe. The only danger occurs when an asbestos-containing material degrades with age or is disturbed or damaged to a point where asbestos particles are releases. Once released into the air they can be inhaled into the lungs which can lead to many serious diseases. Asbestos is a carcinogen, recognized as the only cause of mesothelioma, a rare, but aggressive and deadly cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, there are other forms of cancer that can be caused through the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Due to its dangers, asbestos has been banned or restricted in use throughout most parts of the world. However, it is still used in some parts of the world in spite of its known health issues. Most people who end up with asbestos-related diseases are those that have been exposed as a consequence of their job. The reason for this is because people who work with asbestos products run the risk of breathing higher amounts of asbestos dust for extended periods of time. The highest incidence of asbestos-related health problems comes from people working in the fields of mining, milling, shipbuilding, building construction, building demolition, roof removers, asbestos removal, and heating and air conditioning.
Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
However, just because you don’t work in one of these industries doesn’t mean you will never be exposed to asbestos. It is possible to experience asbestos exposure through second-hand exposure. For example, if a family member works in an asbestos-related industry and gets asbestos fibers on their clothing, hair, or skin, without proper cleaning they can carry those asbestos fibers home, exposing others through second-hand exposure to asbestos.
You may also experience asbestos exposure if you live in an older home. Homes built previous to the 1980s stand a good chance of containing materials and products that were made using asbestos. If you are planning to renovate or remodel areas of your home, you should be aware that it is likely you will come across some of these asbestos-containing materials during the remodeling process. This means that asbestos testing may be necessary. The most common places that asbestos will be found in an older home is in insulation of water lines, pipes, and electrical wiring, carpeting, roofing materials, flooring, ceiling tiles, wall plaster, drywall, and also in adhesives that were used in the installation of floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and other products.
Asbestos exposure symptoms may not show up for as many as 15 to 60 years after asbestos exposure. If you suspect that you’ve experienced asbestos poisoning you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. The key to surviving exposure to asbestos is through early detection. Additionally, even if you think you were never exposed, if you should ever show any signs of asbestos exposure you should consult with a specialist immediately. Asbestos exposure symptoms can include shortness of breath, coughing, unexplainable weight loss, and pain in the chest wall. Unfortunately, it can take decades before any of these signs or symptoms develop, so if you think you may have been exposed, do not wait until symptoms appear before being checked out by a physician.