The Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure Presented by UA SafeState.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of microscopic fibers. It was used extensively in construction before the 1980s due to benefits like being fire and electricity resistant, flexible, and strong.
It is still used in some construction materials today, mainly outside of the US, though it's still imported.
Unfortunately when asbestos is damaged or disturbed, which can occur during maintenance or construction, it releases microscopic fibers which can be inhaled. They can get past your body's defenses like mucus and nose hairs, and wind up in the lungs, where they can become trapped.
Everyone is exposed to small amounts of asbestos, but the more you are exposed, the more likely that trapping will occur, increasing the risk of developing health issues. Symptoms don't typically appear until at least 15 years and can take as long as 40!
The most common disease, Asbestosis is lung scarring caused by trapped asbestos fibers. Another type is pleural disease, which can thicken the membrane or cause fluid buildup around the lungs. The damage to the lungs from both of these diseases cause the lungs to function less efficiently than a healthy lung.
Asbestos exposure can also increase the risk of developing certain cancers, most notably lung cancer and mesothelioma. Lung cancer is the more common of the two. People with it develop a tumor that blocks the lung's air passages. The risk of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure increases even more if you smoke tobacco. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the membranes for internal organs. It is nearly always fatal.
What can you do if you're concerned about asbestos exposure? Learn about the likely places where you can find asbestos, especially in older buildings where building materials are beginning to deteriorate. If you own the building, you can have it tested by an accredited asbestos inspector who can identify any materials containing asbestos.
The good news is that limited, one-off exposure to asbestos is typically harmless. If you work around asbestos, a doctor may recommend regular medical exams, vaccines for flu and other lung diseases, stopping cigarette use, and avoiding additional exposures, lessening your chances or slowing progression of health issues.
For more information on asbestos, whether you need to find an accredited asbestos inspector or just have an asbestos related question, contact us at UA SafeState. We're here to help!
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