In this second article of a series we're going to cover the
health risks associated with exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos can cause a number of health problems
including, lung cancer, Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other
cancers.
Asbestosis is a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness
of breath coughing and even permanent lung damage.
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer of the thin membranes
that line the chest and abdomen. While very rare it is also very
serious.
The people at risk for these ailments are anyone who has been
exposed to asbestos at any time during their life. However, most
people exposed to asbestos do not become ill. Only those exposed
to it constantly over a long period of time usually develop
symptoms. Most of these people are usually those who have a job
that requires them to work with or be around asbestos throughout
the day.
Since the early 1940's millions of people have been exposed to
asbestos. The first workers to show signs of asbestos related
health problems were those who worked in shipbuilding trades,
asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles,
insulation work, demolition workers, drywall workers and fire
fighters. Today, improved work practices and regulations make
exposure to asbestos in these industries less likely.
Even though it is generally believed that the most seriously ill
people from asbestos are those who have suffered from long term
exposure, there are cases of those who have only had brief
exposure who have become ill as well. The problem is, asbestos
exposure related illnesses can take from 10 to 40 years to show
up. So a child exposed in school at age 13 may not develop any
symptoms until he or she is past age 50.
There is also some evidence that suggests that family members of
those who work in asbestos related fields can come down with
asbestos related illnesses because of the asbestos fibers that
are brought into the house by the worker's shoes and clothes.
This type of exposure is called paraoccupational exposure. In
order to decrease this risk, workers who are exposed to asbestos
should wash their clothes and change before coming home. It is
also suggested that they shower first if possible.
So just how great is the risk? Not all workers who are exposed
to asbestos develop health problems. A lot has to do with the
type of exposure. Asbestos that is encased and unlikely to break
apart into the atmosphere presents less of a threat than
asbestos that is not encased. Also, the general health of the
worker comes into play as well. A worker who already has health
related issues or who smokes is more likely to suffer from
asbestos related illness. Also, the type of asbestos the worker
is exposed to will have a great effect on the worker's health.
Some forms of asbestos are more dangerous than others, depending
on the concentration and the length of exposure.
In our final article of this series we'll go over how to
determine if you might have an asbestos related health problem
and if so, what to do about it.
About the author:
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to
Asbestos
