What Are The Dangers Of Asbestos
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- 30-05-2023
This article asks: what are the dangers of asbestos? WKA Asbestos Removal offer asbestos removal services throughout Stratford-Upon-Avon and Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. We look at asbestos exposure risks and serious diseases caused by asbestos.
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in many products for its heat-resistant and insulating properties. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can be extremely dangerous to human health. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get lodged in the lungs and cause serious diseases over time.
People who are exposed to asbestos fibers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a lung disease that can cause scarring of the lung tissue and difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and can be fatal.
Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos-containing materials are damaged, disturbed, or removed unsafely, and the fibers are released into the air. It is important to note that all types of asbestos fibers are dangerous if breathed in, and until proven safe, all asbestos should be treated as dangerous.
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease depends on the dose, duration, and route of exposure. Individual characteristics, such as age, gender, and nutritional status, can also have an effect on the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease
.Asbestos diseases have a latency period, which means that it can take 10 to 40 years after exposure for symptoms to appear. Asbestos diseases are difficult to treat and most are impossible to cure. The only cure for most asbestos-related diseases is to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.
To determine if someone has been exposed to asbestos, a chest x-ray is the most common test used. While the x-ray cannot detect asbestos fibers themselves, it can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos.
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in many products for its heat-resistant and insulating properties. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can be extremely dangerous to human health. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can get lodged in the lungs and cause serious diseases over time.
People who are exposed to asbestos fibers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a lung disease that can cause scarring of the lung tissue and difficulty breathing. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and can be fatal.
Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos-containing materials are damaged, disturbed, or removed unsafely, and the fibers are released into the air. It is important to note that all types of asbestos fibers are dangerous if breathed in, and until proven safe, all asbestos should be treated as dangerous.
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease depends on the dose, duration, and route of exposure. Individual characteristics, such as age, gender, and nutritional status, can also have an effect on the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Asbestos diseases have a latency period, which means that it can take 10 to 40 years after exposure for symptoms to appear.
Asbestos diseases are difficult to treat and most are impossible to cure. The only cure for most asbestos-related diseases is to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers. To determine if someone has been exposed to asbestos, a chest x-ray is the most common test used. While the x-ray cannot detect asbestos fibers themselves, it can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure Risks
Asbestos exposure poses a significant risk to individuals who come into contact with the mineral. It is important to understand that asbestos exposure is not limited to the workplace, as many homes in the UK still contain asbestos-containing materials. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers over time can lead to serious diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
People who work in certain occupations have a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos. Jobs such as mining, construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and electricity generation are among the historically high-risk occupations. Although regulations have reduced the risk of exposure in the workplace, some occupations still present a serious risk of exposure to asbestos today.
These include automotive repair, chloralkali production, building and equipment maintenance, renovation and demolition, firefighting, sheet gasket use, and oilfield brake block repair. It is important to note that even individuals who do not work in high-risk occupations can still be exposed to asbestos. For example, those who live with workers who handle asbestos products may risk secondhand exposure. Schools and older homes may also contain asbestos-containing materials, putting individuals at risk of exposure
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers can remain in the air for long periods of time, making it easy for individuals to inhale them. It is important to seek medical attention if you believe you have been exposed to asbestos. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not appear until many years after exposure, making early detection and treatment critical.
Serious diseases caused by asbestos
It is essential to take appropriate measures to protect yourself from asbestos exposure, particularly if you work in an industry where you may be at risk of coming into contact with asbestos fibers. By taking preventive measures such as wearing appropriate protective gear and following safety guidelines, you can reduce your risk of developing serious diseases caused by asbestos.
Mesothelioma
Exposure to asbestos has been found to be the primary cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, around 2,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. It is estimated that around 85% of these cases are caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a clear indication of the devastating impact of asbestos exposure on people's lives.
Asbestos-related lung cancer
In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can also lead to other types of lung cancer. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there is a significant risk of lung cancer for those exposed to asbestos fibers, especially those who smoke or have smoked in the past.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is another serious lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos. This condition is characterized by the scarring of lung tissue, which leads to difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and coughing. Asbestosis can take many years to develop and can often go unnoticed until the symptoms become severe.
Pleural thickening
Pleural thickening is a condition in which the lining of the lungs thickens and becomes inflamed due to asbestos exposure. This condition can cause discomfort in the chest and shortness of breath. In some cases, pleural thickening can also lead to the development of other serious lung diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing until the 1980s. It is composed of thin, needle-like fibers that are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. Due to its properties, asbestos was often used in insulation, roofing, flooring, and other building materials.
Asbestos exposure can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, the fibers can become airborne and be inhaled or ingested, leading to long-term health risks.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take years or even decades to develop, making early detection and prevention crucial.
The use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, and strict regulations were put in place for its removal and disposal.
However, many older buildings still contain asbestos, and it is estimated that over 5,000 people die each year in the UK due to asbestos-related diseases. It is important for those who work in industries that may be exposed to asbestos, such as construction, demolition, and shipbuilding, to take proper precautions to protect themselves from exposure.
This includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following safe work practices. If you suspect that your home or workplace may contain asbestos, it is essential to contact a licensed professional for testing and removal. Attempting to remove asbestos-containing materials on your own can put you and others at risk of exposure and is illegal in many cases.
Types of Asbestos
In the UK, the three most commonly used types of asbestos in building works were chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite. Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, was the most frequently used type, accounting for about 95% of all commercial asbestos. Chrysotile fibres are flexible and curved, making them less likely to become trapped in the lungs and other parts of the body.
Crocidolite, on the other hand, is considered the most dangerous form of asbestos due to its thin, brittle, and needle-like Amphibole fibres. The fibres can easily be inhaled and become trapped in body tissues, leading to irritation, inflammation, and potentially incurable diseases. Crocidolite is blue-grey in appearance.
Amosite, also known as brown asbestos, is another dangerous form of asbestos that poses a high cancer risk to anyone exposed to it. Similar to crocidolite, its Amphibole fibres are needle-like in appearance, brittle, and have a good tensile strength and resistance to heat.
There are also three minor types of asbestos: tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. Although these are also considered dangerous and carcinogenic, they were rarer than the three common types and were not used commercially. However, they can sometimes be found as contaminants in the main types of asbestos and other materials, such as talcum powder.
Are you looking for asbestos removal services in Stratford-Upon-Avon and Warwickshire? Contact our asbestos specialists today for surveys, testing and sampling. We would love to assist you and deal with your asbestos problem.