Asbestos, a commonly used mineral in the industrial and construction sector is fairly well-known today. However, along with its benefits like resistance to fire, heat and electricity, and high absorbing capacity, it comes with potential health hazards. This explains why the material has been banned in some of the states. Many organizations and individuals seek asbestos removal services from professionals to mitigate health hazards.
First, let’s have a look at the presence of asbestos.
Presently, asbestos is being used in a limited range of products. Some of these include:
Asbestos contains tiny fibres, which become airborne when they pull apart. Although it is considered to be a single mineral, asbestos actually includes a group of minerals or fibrous substances. These include crocidolite, amosite, actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and chrysotile. When these particles are pulled apart, they are easily ingested or inhaled. These fibres can settle on surface, or become dust in the air. Evidently, people in the vicinity can easily breathe the particles inside their bodies.
In some materials, the manufacturers legally use asbestos. In these cases, the fibres are encapsulated well. This prevents people around from inhaling the loose particles. However, damage to any of these materials result in a direct exposure of humans to the mineral.
When the fibres of asbestos get inside the body tissues, they remain inside the system for a significant period of time. In the process, it can lead to serious health conditions, including inflammation, tissue damage, cancer and respiratory illnesses. Even the detrimental health symptoms may show up years after a person gets the first exposure to asbestos. The area close to the lungs is most susceptible to asbestos fibre lodging.
Asbestos comes in different categories, all of which are considered to be human carcinogens. Exposure to asbestos potentially increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and mesothelioma. This is an aggressive lung cancer, caused due to exposure to asbestos. It may also lead to other types of cancers, like oesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, gallbladder cancer, kidney cancer, throat cancer and gastrointestinal cancer.
Here are two of the most common health hazards associated with exposure to asbestos:
Asbestosis is a progressive disease causing the lung tissues to develop scars. The intensity of this ailment may be severe or mild. Individuals experiencing asbestosis suffer from chest tightness, pain, chronic cough and face difficulty in breathing. The situation deteriorates with time, and there is no way to recover from asbestosis. However, certain treatments may result in temporary relief.
Mesothelioma, a rare variant of cancer, does not have any permanent cure. This cancer affects the tissue layers around different organs like lungs, abdomen, testicles and lings. Mesothelioma happens to be the biggest threat arising from exposure to asbestos. Due to its aggressive nature, most of the time it remains undetected until the last stages.
Considering the potential hazards associated with exposure to asbestos, it is imperative to hire professionals for removing the mineral. A dedicated effort from seasoned experts can significantly mitigate the possible vulnerabilities.
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