Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are strong, heat resistant, chemical resistant, and fireproof. Asbestos is a popular additive in thousands of products due to its properties. It has been used in construction, fireproofing materials, building materials, automotive brakes, and insulation for more than a century. Most people believe that asbestos exposure is a thing of the past. However, it still remains a deadly public health concern to date.
Studies have demonstrated that asbestos fibers, when ingested or inhaled, can cause many painful and fatal diseases, including cancer. As the negligence of this toxin has become too common, it has become crucial to spread awareness about asbestos exposure and the threats it poses. Continue reading to discover some facts about asbestos that everyone should be aware of:
- Asbestos Can Cause a Range Of Medical Conditions
Asbestos exposure can lead to several medical conditions, depending on where the mineral is trapped in the body. When asbestos fibers are released into the air, the fibers break down into tiny particles, which in turn become airborne, and we inhale them. The most common diseases caused by asbestos exposure include asbestosis, mesothelioma, non-malignant pleural disease, lung cancer, and more.
Asbestos-containing products prove to be a major health threat for millions of workers and their families. Suppose you developed mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease after using or being exposed to asbestos-based products from a company. In that case, you can file claims with asbestos trust funds to receive financial compensation to help cover the treatment cost. On average, mesothelioma compensation for patients and family members ranges between $1 million and $11.4 million.
In addition, the most common symptoms of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, weight loss due to loss of appetite, chest tightness or pain, clubbing of fingers, crackling sounds when breathing, high blood pressure, extreme fatigue, and much more. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it may indicate an exposure to this dangerous mineral. Therefore, do not be negligent and immediately schedule an appointment with a doctor.
- It Is Naturally Occurring
It is a common misconception that asbestos is manmade, but that is factually incorrect. Asbestos is a name given to a variety of naturally occurring silicate minerals. It is mainly mined throughout South Africa, Canada, and America. Asbestos is mainly found in three types of rocks: altered ultramafic rocks, serpentines, and some mafic rocks. Metamorphosed dolostones, alkalic intrusions, carbonatites, metamorphosed iron formations, etc., are other rock types that host asbestos.
Six main types of asbestos fall into two categories: Amphibole and serpentine. Amphibole class fibers have a needle-like appearance. Five types of asbestos fall into this category:
- Crocidolite – often referred to as blue fiber, is a fibrous form of amphibole riebeckite, seen under the microscope as a blue fiber. It is considered as the most hazardous type of asbestos.
- Amosite – is also called brown asbestos and is seen under a microscope as a grey-white fiber. It is most commonly found in ceiling tiles, thermal insulation products, etc.
- Tremolite – can be transparent, green, white, or grey. It has no commercial use but some industrial applications like heat protection, fire retardant, and more.
- Actinolite – found in many asbestos products, such as insulation.
- Anthophyllite – trace amounts are found in chrysotile asbestos.
In contrast, serpentine class fibers have a curly appearance. Chrysotile is the only member included in this class of asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common type of asbestos and is often termed white asbestos. It is most frequently used in roofs, floors, ceilings, fireproofing, etc. Additionally, asbestos materials can either be friable or non-friable. Friable asbestos products may pose a greater health risk.
- Asbestos Fibers Enter the Human Body through Inhalation or Ingestion
As mentioned before, when asbestos is damaged or disturbed, its tiny fibers are released into the air, which humans can inhale without them even noticing. Not only that, asbestos fibers reside in the human body after being ingested or inhaled. They cannot be flushed out of the body like many other toxins. Unfortunately, removing the fibers once they have entered the body is impossible due to their sharp, needle-like appearance. Consequently, the fibers stay inside the body long and begin to cause serious and fatal diseases. Trapped fibers can also cause inflammation and scarring.
Moreover, asbestos ranks as the No. 1 cause of work-related deaths worldwide. In fact, more than 39,000 asbestos-related deaths are reported each year in the United States. The best way to protect yourself from asbestos exposure is to wear appropriate respiratory protection and personal protective equipment when working with products that could potentially contain asbestos.
- Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Health Conditions Can Go Unnoticed For Decades
What makes asbestos-related health issues even scarier is that they cannot always be diagnosed immediately. Some of the most common asbestos-related diseases are mesothelioma and asbestosis. It may take decades for the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases to become apparent after exposure. And it might be why many victims of asbestos-related diseases are unaware of their condition.
Ultimately, when the victims know of their health condition, enough time has passed, and the person has sustained a lot of internal damage. Unfortunately, the damage caused by asbestos exposure cannot be reversed by any treatment. However, certain steps can be taken to help relieve the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease after diagnosis. For instance, you must avoid further exposure to asbestos and other irritants, such as cigarette smoke.
Bottom line
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals commonly used in many products, including construction materials, insulation, brakes, and more. Asbestos exposure has been linked with an increased risk of cancer and many other fatal diseases. Repeated asbestos exposure has resulted in considerable suffering and loss of life.
Most asbestos exposure occurs in occupational settings and homes throughout the United States. It is essential to be aware of the potential harms of asbestos exposure to protect yourself from serious health complications.
