What is Asbestos?
What is Asbestos?
The best way to answer the question what is asbestos is to fully understand why asbestos has been used in so many applications in the first place. Asbestos is a natural mineral that has excellent fire retarding properties. It was once the number one choice in making fire proof items; especially in the construction industry. You’ll be surprise to learn of how many buildings have asbestos mixed into them as a fire proofing mechanism. The problem is that we now know that this material is very dangerous to our health which in turn renders it’s benefits null.
A good resource to look at is the EPA Asbestos Ban & Phase-Out Rule. This ban has been highly debated but it gives good insight into the dangers of asbestos. As you would expect, those who profit in making materials containing asbestos have fought this ban and they are still making products from this material today. What is asbestos? It’s a rock that has been changed in it’s form due to great pressure and heat over millions of years. The difference between this mineral as compared to other minerals is that it has thread sized filaments which if they become airborne can be easily inhaled in our lungs. Once there they can cause all kinds of health problems. It was a highly sort out mineral during World War II in used a lot in the building of ships. It has been estimated that over thirty million tons of this mineral has been put into use.
By now you have probably heard of mesothelioma cancer. Believe it or not a link to this disease from asbestos was discovered a hundred years ago. In fact, before that, as early as 1898 it was documented that workers who inhaled the fibers from this fibers were developing diseases.
What is asbestos? Well it’s not just the cause of industrial diseases. It has been well documented that people not in the industrial field of work has gotten mesothelioma cancer through inhaling asbestos fibers in buildings and even in their homes. This is how easily this dangerous substance can enter our bodies and cause havoc. Not only does it cause damage in the lungs but it also causes problems in the abdominal cavity. In severe cases tumor will grow in the body and lungs may collapse. It doesn’t stop there. Once one area of the body is diseased from asbestos it may very well spread to other areas.
What is asbestos? Asbestos is a substance used in things we may used everyday. These items may or may not be safe to use as long as they don’t start to break down which causes the fibers to be released into the air. Items such as fire retardant gloves and stove pads, ironing board protectors and brake shoes may all contain asbestos. So be careful when using them or better yet try to find a substitute for them that don’t contain asbestos.
You have now learned what is asbestos and just as important why is asbestos used in the first place. Please don’t keep this information to yourself but share it with others to help promote a more healthier environment for us all. If you’re an industrial worker be diligent in finding out just what materials are being used in your working environment and make sure you protect yourself as well as your co-workers by finding out how the EPA Ban and Pull-Out Rule effects your employer. You now have your answer to the question what is asbestos and should now be able to make wise decisions in protecting yourself.
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Mesothelioma Cancer And Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Cancer And Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma cancer by way of asbestos exposure has become a widespread disease. Asbestos, because of it’s excellent fire retardant and chemical resistant properties was once widely used in the manufacturing industry as well as in ship building for the military. It can be found in commercial buildings and even in some homes. At the time of it’s use little was known about it’s possible side effects but as workers started coming down with similar illnesses it was soon determined that inhaling the fibers of asbestos by way of asbestos exposure led to mesothelioma cancer.
Asbestos exposure leads to mesothelioma cancer but just what is mesothelioma. It’s cancer of the mesothelium which is a membrane that surrounds and gives protection to most of our internal organs. When the cells of the mesothelium become damaged they can invade the cells of nearby organs and tissue causing further damage. Mesothelioma cancer from asbestos exposure accounts for up to eighty percent of all cases. People who worked with asbestos are most at risk to the disease but since no safe levels of exposure to this mineral has been established, anyone who comes into contact with asbestos fibers are at risk.
An asbestos containing product such as tiles used in the home and commercial buildings offers no danger to you in the form of mesothelioma cancer as long as the product remains intact and undamaged. Asbestos exposure from these products occurs when the product becomes damaged and release their tiny fibers into the atmosphere. These fibers can be easily inhaled into the lungs without even realizing it. In fact, workers who were exposed to asbestos as far back as the 40s are just being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer which makes it a deadly and silent killer.
Mesothelioma cancer by way of asbestos exposure doesn’t just effect the manufacturing worker. Since asbestos material has been used widely in numerous applications the risk is there for anyone who works or lives where these products are in use. In the home asbestos products where used primarily in the 50s through the 80s in the form of floor and ceiling tiles, insulation for pipes and furnaces as well as roofing shingles. Because of asbestos excellent heat resistant properties it was also used in hair dryers and even in iron board covers. With so many products being made with asbestos and only 80% of mesothelioma cancer cases being linked to known asbestos exposure one should be concerned as to whether this substance is unknowingly in their home.
About 70% of all mesothelioma cancer starts in the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma starts in the inner chest wall and outer lining of the lungs. It is not to be confused with lung cancer. It is caused by asbestos exposure and is not related to smoking. Some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is chest pain, shortness of breath and a dry cough. If you feel like you are experiencing the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer and have a history of asbestos exposure you should consult your health care professional.
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