Asbestos Exposure and the Danger of Secondary Exposure

Asbestos is an naturally occurring silicate mineral found in rocks and stones. This material is used to insulate buildings because it is durable and fire resistant. It was used widely for this purpose in the United States until the early 1970s when studies showed that it caused lung cancer. Since then it has been banned for home use and commercial construction.

Because of its many benefits, asbestos mining and production has been necessary to the construction industry in the U.S. as well as many other countries have laws limiting how much asbestos can be placed in buildings. If asbestos is found in a building, there must be immediate action taken to remediate the problem or the building could be considered a total loss. The fibers from this mineral can get into any home inside, including those made of cement, bricks, tiles, roofing shingles and floor tiles. Any individual or business that uses asbestos in products, such as ceiling and wall tiles, insulation, pipe lining, ceiling coverings, furnace filters, electrical wiring, water heaters, plumbing fixtures, kitchen countertops, flooring, ceiling fans, and furnace repair or servicing, must stop using those items immediately.

Asbestosis is the medical term used to describe what happens to humans who become exposed to asbestos. Asbestosis occurs when fibers from this mineral come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes of the lungs. If enough fibers are inhaled, this can result in an asbestosis attack. Those who work in older buildings may find that they are at higher risk for asbestosis because older buildings have more moisture and heat than newer ones. People who work in asbestos manufacturing plants are also at a higher risk because the materials used to make these items contain asbestos.

Inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers can cause throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and damage to the lungs' lining. Asbestosis is not life-threatening, but it can certainly damage the body's immune system. When asbestos fibers are breathed in by the body, there is a chance of developing something called mesothelioma. However, this condition is not as common as those that come from other sources, such as those created by chemicals, radiation and other toxins.

Anyone exposed to asbestos fibers may be at risk for developing asbestosis, although the frequency with which those exposed will develop the disease is unpredictable. Asbestos itself has been shown to have very strong fibers that can lodge themselves deep into the lungs' lining. When these fibers become moist, they can cling to anything in the lungs, including the lining of the airways. Because of this characteristic, those who are exposed to asbestos can often develop what is known as chronic lung disease, which makes it difficult for them to breathe and can ultimately lead to death. It's important to note that there is no known cure for the disease as of yet.

Asbestos exposure comes in a number of different forms, depending on where the asbestos is located. For example, those who work in industries that utilize significant amounts of asbestos, such as power plants and shipyards, are particularly susceptible to developing asbestosis after prolonged exposure. Additionally, those living in the cities of New York, Chicago, Cleveland and elsewhere that have many large asbestos manufacturing companies are also at risk. The age group most at risk for exposure to asbestos is those who are younger than 65 years old, although this is not true in all cases. Those who are exposed to asbestos in their workplace are often the ones who suffer the most serious symptoms, while the disease can affect anyone from any age group.

In order to determine the risk level of asbestos exposure, medical evaluations are required in order to determine if the patient is suffering from other, more severe diseases brought about by exposure to asbestos. These tests are used in conjunction with blood tests and / or X-rays in order to determine the exact amount of exposure that has been inflicted on the patient. While asbestos exposure can cause various types of cancer, including asbestosis and lung cancer, secondary exposure can bring about the secondary effects of these same diseases.

Many construction materials, including drywall, insulation and ceiling tiles contain remnants of asbestos that have been chipped, broken or otherwise disposed of. These materials are then left sitting on the site until they are moved or otherwise disposed of. Because this remains are so dangerous, it is necessary that they be cleaned up and properly disposed of in order to avoid another instance of exposing the public to asbestos. Frequently, asbestos removal is contracted by the company that makes the building materials, and they will do their best to make sure that asbestos is disposed of correctly. However, in instances when asbestos disposal cannot be performed effectively, it is necessary to hire an asbestos removal contractor in order to remove the asbestos safely and completely.

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