Asbestos Exposure: Risks Involved And Solutions

by Kirsten Hawkins

Cause of Mesothelioma Cancers

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer, a life threatening disease. Asbestos exposure is so dangerous that even a short-term exposure or a minute exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma cancer. Only a doctor or a specialist in occupational medicine can tell you about the possibility of developing mesothelioma cancer after making queries about what kind of jobs you have worked on in the past and for how long. The doctors do this making assessment of your asbestos exposure and then evaluating your possibility of contacting asbestos related disease.

Who Are At Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos And Mesothelioma
Richard Romando

Asbestos is a carcinogenic, fibrous mineral, which is at times used in construction, usually for insulating purposes. People who live or work in conditions where they are exposed to asbestos fibers run the risk of developing mesothelioma. Despite its health hazards, asbestos is often used in construction due to the fact that it is relatively a cheap material.

Consequently, construction workers exposed to the mineral, as well as their families, are most at risk of developing this rare form of cancer. Workers bring home the carcinogenic fibers as traces on their clothes, thereby exposing family members to the danger of developing the cancer. A few weeks of exposure to asbestos can be enough to cause mesothelioma. However, in general mesothelioma has a latency period of 35-40 years from the time of exposure to asbestos to the actual development of symptoms.

Older buildings that have exposed insulation that contains asbestos, or other areas where asbestos fibers are disturbed or exposed, need to be checked by professionals and repaired or removed. Asbestos fixed firmly and used as insulation within enclosed areas such as walls and pipes is not likely to pose a health hazard with regard to malignant pleural mesothelioma, as long as it is not sawed, drilled or in any other manner that could cause the asbestos fibers to be diffused into the air, and be breathed in.

There is no safe level of exposure. Consequently, people who work with asbestos need to ensure that they are protected from exposure and that they do not bring asbestos dust on their clothes home to their families. Smoking, together with exposure to levels of asbestos can increase the chances of this cancer developing. However, not all those exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma cancer, as genetic factors are involved.

Mesothelioma asbestos poisoning is usually fatal, and death often results within a relatively short span of time from the period when the symptoms first manifest themselves. Overall in the United States, the number of cases of mesothelioma cancer is on the rise.

Mesothelioma provides detailed information about malignant mesothelioma, asbestos and mesothelioma, mesothelioma, mesothelioma research and more. Mesothelioma is the sister site of Asbestos Exposure.

Chances of asbestos exposure are more if you have worked in companies dealing in building and insulation materials, fireproofing, cement, pipe covering, refractory materials, gaskets, floor tiles and joint compounds. Auto mechanics particularly those who repair brake or clutch are also at the risk of asbestos exposure.

When Asbestos Exposure Becomes Harmful

There is no proven test to determine whether a material contains the asbestos or not. Manufacturers do not label the materials containing asbestos. In old materials, it becomes more difficult to confirm whether it poses the risk of asbestos exposure from the manufacturer because we do not know its source. When you have no other option, it is always better and safer to assume that material contains asbestos.

Keep it in mind that asbestos fibers released in the air are responsible for asbestos exposure. Asbestos in intact condition is not a health hazard. If asbestos-containing material is friable i.e. if it crumbles easily then chances of asbestos exposure increases, particularly if it is dry and damaged. If we try to sand, saw, hammer, drill, pull apart or disturb in any other way then even non-friable material may start releasing fibers in the air.

Finding the Substitute

Government banned the use of asbestos due to increasing awareness about harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Scientists are trying to develop new materials as a substitute to asbestos. Fiberglass has emerged as most popular substitute to asbestos. However, fiberglass also is not completely safe material. Exposure to airborne fiberglass or even direct contact with fiberglass may result into irritation of skin, eyes, nose and throat. Inhalation of fiberglass may lead to bronchitis. It may cause permanent damage to lungs and airways ultimately resulting in lung cancer. Nevertheless, experts still feel that fiberglass is far better than asbestos.
About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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