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 Asbestos refers to a group of minerals, made up mainly of silicon and oxygen, which occur naturally in soil and rocks. The crystals also contain other elements other than oxygen and silicon. The two main models of asbestos are Chrysotile and Amphibole. The two types have different characteristics. Chrysotile, as known as white asbestos in everyday language, is the most common sort. It is used in most industrial applications. Its structure consists of fibres that wrap around themselves in a spiral. Amphibole consists of several types, which include anthophyllite, amosite, tremolite, crocidolite and actinolite. These minerals built up from straight and needle-like fibres that make them the more toxic type of asbestos family. The Use of Asbestos The qualities of asbestos make it a good component in many things like asbestos cement for garages. It has a high resistance to heat while it is also a non-conductor for electricity. It is also strong and resistant to many chemicals. Thus, it does not erode easily. The building industry has always found a great use for asbestos. From insulating buildings to making ceiling and floor tiles, and roofing shingles, the uses of asbestos abound. It is also a component in cement, textiles and automobile brake and clutch parts. You could conclude that asbestos is everywhere in the different items that have it as a component. Asbestos Exposure Different circumstances expose people to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos involves breathing asbestos fibres in the air. Asbestos in the air comes from the natural asbestos deposits in the earth or from current and past use of asbestos in making commercial products. For the asbestos to get into the air, there has to be some form of disturbance to the soil or old product containing it. Some of the activities leading to asbestos exposure include: • Weathering or erosion of soil containing asbestos deposits at ground level or old products containing asbestos • Crushing rocks that have asbestos deposits usually happens in asbestos mines • Handling, cutting and crushing old products that contain asbestos. For instance, during demolition or renovation of buildings • Causing disturbance to soil containing natural deposits or old products that contain asbestos during recreational or outdoor activities • Handling or causing disturbance to consumer products that have asbestos contamination • Farming or gardening activities in soil containing rich natural deposits of asbestos • Cleaning activities that stir asbestos-contaminated dust from natural deposits or products.  Asbestos ContaminationThe amount of asbestos contamination in the air depends on several factors. People are exposed to different levels of asbestos due to their location, the type of soil contaminated with asbestos, the weather conditions and humidity, the age and properties of the material and the intensity of the activity causing disturbance to the asbestos. Once asbestos contaminates the air, its fibres will act in the same manner regardless of their source. It does not matter whether a fibre of chrysotile came from natural deposits of asbestos or from a commercial product. Its effects would be the same. Thus, exposure poses the same health risks irrespective of the method leading to the contamination. Breathing asbestos has serious health repercussions. Although people can be exposed to asbestos by accidentally swallowing fibres or through contact with the skin, such exposure is usually not lethal. It does not cause much harm. One would have to consume a large amount of asbestos for them to suffer any significant damage. Thus, inhaling asbestos from the air is the biggest health concern in terms of exposure to asbestos. Mitigating Exposure RisksSpecific categories of people face a higher risk of exposure to asbestos. People that work around or with asbestos or materials that contain asbestos face a higher risk of exposure. Similarly, people living in old houses also face a high risk of exposure due to the age of their homes. Another group facing a high risk of exposure to asbestos are those living in areas with rich natural asbestos deposits. Thus, these groups of people should take special care to avoid contamination. For people that work with asbestos or material containing asbestos, they should go through specialized training on how to handle asbestos. They should also use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling asbestos or material that contains it.  People that live in old houses should take several precautions to avoid causing contamination. First, they should avoid disturbing any material that may contain asbestos. That includes pipe and furnace insulation, popcorn ceilings, flooring and siding. They should also avoid disturbing vermiculite attic insulation. They should contact certified asbestos contractors or their local environmental agency in case they need to replace any material that is breaking down. They should also ensure the contractors they hire follow the guidelines for safe asbestos removal and disposal. That would ensure they avoid contamination. For people that live in areas with high levels of natural asbestos deposits, controlling exposure can be challenging. The measures to minimize exposure will mainly focus on reducing the disturbance of the asbestos deposits and reducing the probability of inhaling asbestos. The measures would, therefore, be around cleaning methods and keeping dust on the minimum. When cleaning, they should use wet cleaning methods or HEPA vacuums. They should avoid getting into the house with shoes, as that may increase the probability of contamination by carrying asbestos into the house. They should also keep windows closed during windy periods to minimize asbestos dust exposure. When working outside, they should ensure the soil is wet before working with it. For instance, they should ensure they water the soil before working in their garden or playing. Rather than sweep patios, people should spray them to avoid rousing dust, which would cause asbestos dust exposure. Walking on pavements and ground covered with grass or mulch further minimizes exposure.  We are happy to answer all asbestos related questions. Either is about any survey, asbestos records, risk assesment plan, or asbestos removal. You can call us on this number today 0125-333-5622. Otherwise fillout the free no obligation quote and tell us how we can help you.  |  The lethal level of asbestos exposure The Degrees of Exposure to asbestos Asbestos is responsible for many deaths annually due to the health complications it causes. Thus, it is important to understand the dangers of exposure. The toxic nature of asbestos may cause a lot of worry to people that think they may have been exposed to it. However, it is important to know the different levels of exposure and the risks resulting from it. Mostly, short-term exposure to asbestos has no serious disease-causing effect. A one-off exposure also does not pose a major risk. However, exposure to asbestos is cumulative. Continuous short-term exposures can add up and cause a serious health problem. Similarly, disasters of significant magnitude, though one-off events, may cause extreme exposure to asbestos. The more time and longer you exposed to the deadly fibres the earlier you produce sympthoms and the more serious illness you'll have. Although asbestos is deadly, many people do not understand how it is dangerous. There are some misconceptions about exposure. For instance, some people think that it is a chemical that can accumulate in the food chain. Some even think it can permeate through the skin like pesticides. Others believe that close contact with products that contain asbestos would definitely expose them. However, these are all misconceptions. Exposure to asbestos is only through swallowing or inhaling asbestos dust. The development of asbestos-related diseases is due to the accumulation of asbestos fibres in the person’s lungs or the membrane lining the body. Harmful Exposure Levels Due to the lack of ways to get rid of asbestos from any part of the body, there is no safe amount of asbestos. Even the smallest amount of it causes deadly disease although it might take longer. People need to be cautious around asbestos. Although inhaling asbestos is dangerous, most health issues set in after prolonged exposure. Many years (15-30) of exposure accumulate to cause disease. While a person may have a little exposure at a time, several such exposures can be problematic. An intense short-term exposure may also heighten the risk of health complications later. Occupational exposure is the biggest cause of asbestos cancer because the person is at risk on a daily basis. That means working with asbestos or asbestos-containing material increases the risk of exposure. There is also an increased risk of exposure to family members of people that work with material containing asbestos. That is because workers inadvertently carry asbestos dust home in their garments. The Impact of One-Time Exposure to Asbestos Generally, a one-time exposure is not a serious risk. However, some one-time events can have a huge impact. For example, a disaster may release a huge amount of asbestos dust into the air, which may affect a huge population for a period. Disease from exposure results from prolonged exposure. While it is important to report to your doctor about any exposure, you should not fret so much about a one-off short-term exposure. However, you should make efforts to avoid further exposure.  Is white asbestos dangerous? White asbestos is a common component in many products used in homes and in industries. Thus, there are questions about whether it poses no risk. Despite its many uses, chrysotile, or white asbestos, poses health risks just as amphibole. It has the potential to cause cancer if exposure is prolonged. An answer to the question, “Is white asbestos dangerous?” would be that while amphibole types of asbestos pose a greater health risk, chrysotile also dangerous. Thus, people should handle it with caution and avoid contamination. Asbestos-Related DiseasesAsbestos is responsible for illnesses such as ovarian cancer, asbestosis, lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma and laryngeal cancer. Several factors determine the eventuality of someone falling sick due to exposure. Some of the risk factors include: • Duration of exposure • Amount of asbestos • Type of asbestos • Smoking history • Genetics The dose or amount of asbestos refers to the number of fibres of raw asbestos in the air. The bigger the amount, the greater the risk of sickness. A lengthy period of exposure would have a bigger impact than a brief exposure. Some types of asbestos have a higher disease-causing ability than others do. Thus, they are likely to cause disease at a higher rate. Smoking affects the lungs. Similarly, asbestos affects the lungs. A history of smoking exposes a person to a higher risk of asbestos lung scarring. People react differently to exposure to asbestos. Some people may not develop the disease due to exposure to asbestos due to their genetic composition. Inhaling asbestos fibres is the cause of most asbestos-related diseases. The fibres mainly attach to lung tissue and cause irritations there. Several lung diseases result from inhaling asbestos. Asbestosis This is a scarring of the lungs due to the fibres of asbestos. It limits the functioning of the lungs, as it becomes hard for oxygen and carbon dioxide to move in and out of the lungs during the gaseous exchange. A person finds breathing to be a difficult task. The condition is prevalent among people with a long history of exposure. The fibres usually accumulate over many years before a person starts showing symptoms. Pleural Disease Pleural disease is a condition that changes the membrane around the chest cavity and lungs. It may cause the membrane to thicken or lead to a build-up of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). Pleural thickening refers to the thickening of the entire pleural membrane while pleural plaques refer to the thickening of isolated areas. While the pleural disease may not cause breathing problems to everyone, it makes the lungs less efficient. Lung Cancer Asbestos can cause malignant tumors in the lungs. The tumors block the air passages in the lungs causing serious breathing problems. Smoking has a huge impact on a person’s exposure to this cancer. It increases the risk of asbestos lung scarring, thus increasing the chances of developing lung cancer due to exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma This is a rare type of cancer that affects different membranes in the body. It the pleural membrane around the lungs, the peritoneum membrane lining the abdominal cavity, and the membranes surrounding other internal organs. The symptoms of mesothelioma start to set in after 30-40 years of exposure. Often, the symptoms do not show until cancer reaches a fatal stage. Asbestos further causes other cancers such as cancer of the larynx, ovary, pharynx, stomach and colorectum that caused by ingesting asbestos fibres and as this undigestible pieces trap in your body and lead you to those possible diseases listed above |
Asbestos diseases - How to avoid?
Most of the health conditions resulting from asbestos are irreversible. The only solutions available involve managing the symptoms. A change in habits may be key to minimizing the impact of these diseases. Pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy are treatments that can help manage the damage to the lungs. Since smoking contributes to the damage of the lungs, a shift from it would greatly benefit a person managing the symptoms of lung conditions due to asbestos.
What to Do in case of Exposure?
Your health is very important. You should therefore make every effort to ensure you remain healthy always. Exposure to asbestos may have no short-term effects. However, in the long-term, it may pose serious issues to your health. Thus, it is important to seek medical attention in case you suspect exposure. That would allow your doctor to examine you and determine whether you need any form of treatment.
Regular chest X-rays and CT scans may be necessary in case of exposure. The tests can help detect problems in your lungs, which would alert your doctor to put you on some treatment that would alleviate the impact of any disease. Although asbestos-related conditions are irreversible, they can be managed to minimize further damage. If you start managing it from an earlier stage, you can mitigate the risk of developing full-blown respiratory illnesses due to asbestos. You can also slow down the progression of such diseases. Some preventive measures when dealing with asbestos-related diseases include:
• Going for regular medical checkups
• Having regular vaccines against flu and pneumococcal pneumonia
• Giving up smoking & inform yourself about asbestos containing material
• Taking caution to avoid further exposure to asbestos
Even though asbestos can have dangerous outcomes, it is generally not a health risk if undisturbed. However, any damage to material containing asbestos can release fibres of asbestos. Disturbing soil that contains asbestos also has the same effect. Rousing such soil contaminates the air with harmful fibres. Inhaling the asbestos dust introduces the fibres to the lungs, causing damage to the lungs over time. Although it is a health hazard, the effects of asbestos do not usually set in until after many years. Most of the time, people develop symptoms of asbestos-related diseases after an accumulation of asbestos in their body over many years.
Although asbestos is no longer in use, it still poses a risk to many people. There are materials that still contain asbestos. Breaking such material would expose people to asbestos contamination. For instance, in the building industry, demolishing renovating old buildings may disturb the asbestos in those buildings, contaminating the air. Further, the people residing in areas with natural asbestos deposits still face the risk of exposure regardless of the use of asbestos. It is therefore important that people that face such high risk of exposure continue to practice caution.
Awareness of the products that contain asbestos is also crucial in avoiding exposure. Although the use of asbestos stopped, the products initially made of asbestos are still there. Knowledge about such products would help people know how to handle them. It would minimize accidental disturbances that rouse fibres of asbestos into the air. There is a need to test old buildings for asbestos to determine those that have asbestos. That would help reduce the incidences of occupational exposure. Old buildings still pose the biggest occupational exposure risk to contractors and firefighters. Mechanics also risk exposure when working on vehicles that have machine parts containing asbestos.
Despite the many misconceptions about asbestos, all forms are harmful and should be handled with caution.
What to Do in case of Exposure?
Your health is very important. You should therefore make every effort to ensure you remain healthy always. Exposure to asbestos may have no short-term effects. However, in the long-term, it may pose serious issues to your health. Thus, it is important to seek medical attention in case you suspect exposure. That would allow your doctor to examine you and determine whether you need any form of treatment.
Regular chest X-rays and CT scans may be necessary in case of exposure. The tests can help detect problems in your lungs, which would alert your doctor to put you on some treatment that would alleviate the impact of any disease. Although asbestos-related conditions are irreversible, they can be managed to minimize further damage. If you start managing it from an earlier stage, you can mitigate the risk of developing full-blown respiratory illnesses due to asbestos. You can also slow down the progression of such diseases. Some preventive measures when dealing with asbestos-related diseases include:
• Going for regular medical checkups
• Having regular vaccines against flu and pneumococcal pneumonia
• Giving up smoking & inform yourself about asbestos containing material
• Taking caution to avoid further exposure to asbestos
Even though asbestos can have dangerous outcomes, it is generally not a health risk if undisturbed. However, any damage to material containing asbestos can release fibres of asbestos. Disturbing soil that contains asbestos also has the same effect. Rousing such soil contaminates the air with harmful fibres. Inhaling the asbestos dust introduces the fibres to the lungs, causing damage to the lungs over time. Although it is a health hazard, the effects of asbestos do not usually set in until after many years. Most of the time, people develop symptoms of asbestos-related diseases after an accumulation of asbestos in their body over many years.
Although asbestos is no longer in use, it still poses a risk to many people. There are materials that still contain asbestos. Breaking such material would expose people to asbestos contamination. For instance, in the building industry, demolishing renovating old buildings may disturb the asbestos in those buildings, contaminating the air. Further, the people residing in areas with natural asbestos deposits still face the risk of exposure regardless of the use of asbestos. It is therefore important that people that face such high risk of exposure continue to practice caution.
Awareness of the products that contain asbestos is also crucial in avoiding exposure. Although the use of asbestos stopped, the products initially made of asbestos are still there. Knowledge about such products would help people know how to handle them. It would minimize accidental disturbances that rouse fibres of asbestos into the air. There is a need to test old buildings for asbestos to determine those that have asbestos. That would help reduce the incidences of occupational exposure. Old buildings still pose the biggest occupational exposure risk to contractors and firefighters. Mechanics also risk exposure when working on vehicles that have machine parts containing asbestos.
Despite the many misconceptions about asbestos, all forms are harmful and should be handled with caution.
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