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| Asbestos Exposure |
Asbestos refers to a group of materials that occur in the environment as a bundle of fibers that can be separated and manufactured into thin and durable threads. Since the threads themselves are highly resistant to heat, fire and chemicals and do not conduct electricity they have proven to be very useful in a number of industries.
Asbestos has been used since the late 1800s to strengthen cement and plastics as well as in roofing, fireproofing, insulation and sound-proofing. It has also been used as an insulator in hot water pipes and boilers, in automobile brake pads, and as an ingredient in paints, coating and adhesives.
Asbestos has many uses, but its use has been limited since the 1970s, and the Environmental Protection Agency banned all new uses of asbestos in 1989. The reason for this is because the material can be incredibly hazardous to one’s health. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and microscopic fibers of the material cause damage to the lungs when they are inhaled. Although there has been a significant decline in the use of asbestos in the U.S. since 1973, there is still a risk of asbestos exposure throughout the community.
Asbestos exposure can occur in the workplace, the community or even in certain homes. When products containing asbestos are disturbed they can release asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers can be inhaled and trapped inside the lungs. Asbestos is a silicate compound, and they can remain in a person’s lungs for years. As these fibers accumulate in the lungs, they can cause scarring and inflammation. This in turn can cause a number of serious health problems such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that can occur years after initial asbestos exposure and not show any symptoms until treatment is all impossible.
Nearly everyone is exposed to asbestos during their lives. Asbestos occurs naturally in the environment, and people most likely inhale trace amounts all the time. These trace amounts are relatively harmless, but those who have worked in the manufacturing, shipbuilding and mining industries since the 1940s are especially at risk of asbestos exposure. Older or retired workers who have worked in these industries are often the ones who are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Studies have also shown that family members of these workers are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well due to asbestos dust being brought into the home on the skin, shoes, clothes and hair of the workers. Federal laws currently limit the level of asbestos exposure in the workplace for this very reason, and some companies require to shower or change their clothes before leaving work.
