nature. It has been widely used, particularly in construction. The
fibrous bundles of asbestos are separated to produce thin and durable
sheets. The reason why this material has come to be so widely used in
various industries is because its fibers have a resistance to heat,
fire and chemicals, and it is not a conductor of electricity.
Although the use of asbestos may appear to be practical and harmless,
evidence has shown that those exposed to asbestos, whether at home or
at the workplace, face a severe health risk. Any disturbance to
asbestos products can cause the release of asbestos fibers into the
air that may then be breathed in. This can be extremely serious, as
when breathed in, the particles could get trapped and remain lodged in
the lungs for a long time. The accumulation of these fibers over time
causes inflammation and scarring, affecting the respiratory function
and can result in severe health problems.
The fact that asbestos has been classified as a human carcinogen
should give you a clear idea of the risk it poses. Exposure to
asbestos increases the likelihood of developing pleural plaques,
pleural thickening, and benign pleural effusions, lung cancer and
mesothelioma. Asbestosis is in fact the term for the condition
resulting from exposure to asbestos and indicates the presence of
symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties, scarring, stabbing
pains, and other permanent lung damage that increases the risk of the
fore mentioned diseases.
There are various factors that can add up to increase the risk posed
to you from asbestos exposure.
· The source
· The dosage exposed to
· The duration of the exposure
· The nature of the asbestos fibers or manufacturing process – size,
shape and chemical makeup
· Individual considerations such as the presence of a pre-existing
lung disease or smoking
The risk of course, increases with heavier and more prolonged
exposure, but can also be serious when only brief. Keep in mind that
the signs of illness may not surface until long after the initial
exposure.
