Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. The use of asbestos is now very restricted, but it was previously used in many building products, domestic appliances and household goods because of its strength and heat resisting properties.
Health Issues – What Are The Risks?
Materials containing asbestos are safe and will not harm you as long as they are intact and have not been damaged or tampered with in any way. If the asbestos has been damaged or work has been carried out on it, then asbestos dust fibres may have been produced. It is these fibres that may cause health problems such as cancer, if inhaled. Asbestos is a mineral which occurs naturally and is still mined in some parts of the world. 2 million fibres can fit on a pin head and can cause fatal diseases. Doctors often compare the dangers associated with asbestos to those of smoking cigarettes. The more cigarettes one smokes, the greater the danger for developing lung cancer. Similarly, the more one is exposed to asbestos, the greater the chance for developing an asbestos related disease. This is why asbestos poisoning is often called an occupational hazard disease, because the people who commonly work with the material are the most at risk for developing an asbestos related disease.
Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma may be caused by breathing in just 1 fibre of asbestos. It is an aggressive fatal form of terminal cancer and there is no cure.
Asbestosis: This is usually caused by exposure to large amounts of asbestos fibres and results in coughing and wheezing due to the lungs inability to supply sufficient oxygen.
Lung Cancer: Cancerous tumours can develop from asbestos exposure. Dust compounded by heavy smoking can result in coughing, phlegm and loss of appetite.
Pleural Thickening: Dust can cause the lining of the lungs (the pleura) to thicken. This can cause shortness in breath and tightening of the chest.
Pleural Plaques: This is where the lining of the lungs has been scarred due to asbestos exposure. There are generally no symptoms and this condition is not life threatening.
