asbestoslistings.com

asbestoslistings.com

Asbestos was though to be almost the perfect building material until its dangers were discovered a few decades ago. Turns out it can be a serious risk to health when fibers become airborne and are inhaled, potentially getting trapped in the lungs.

Common rock formations contain the fibrous minerals that are used to make asbestos products. The incredible strength and durability of the minerals meant asbestos was immediately popular. Even better, asbestos was found to resist fire and heat, making it great for brake shoes, gaskets and insulation.

When asbestos is a health threat

When asbestos fibers are bound tightly or enclosed, such as with siding and ... (more)

Asbestos was though to be almost the perfect building material until its dangers were discovered a few decades ago. Turns out it can be a serious risk to health when fibers become airborne and are inhaled, potentially getting trapped in the lungs.

Common rock formations contain the fibrous minerals that are used to make asbestos products. The incredible strength and durability of the minerals meant asbestos was immediately popular. Even better, asbestos was found to resist fire and heat, making it great for brake shoes, gaskets and insulation.

When asbestos is a health threat

When asbestos fibers are bound tightly or enclosed, such as with siding and or ceiling tiles, health risks are supposed to be minimal. When the materials are cut however, dangerous fibers can be released. Asbestos that is “friable”, meaning it breaks easily, or asbestos that has been loosely installed, can more easily release fibers.

Cancers caused by asbestos

Mesothelioma - A rare cancer of the chest or abdominal cavity lining, this disease has been linked to asbestos in approximately 50 per cent of cases and can come on almost 50 years after exposure.

Lung cancer - Especially when combined with smoking, asbestos is though to increase the risk of lung cancer. Cancers of the larynx, stomach, and colon have also been linked to asbestos exposure.

Conditions caused by asbestos exposure

Asbestosis - This lung disease is a scarring of the lung tissue that happens when the body produces acid to try and dissolve asbestos fibers. It takes 10 to 20 years to develop and can eventually prevent the lungs from functioning at all.

Pleural plaques - With this condition, the diaphragm and chest walls thicken. The plaques often have no symptoms and basically just indicate past exposure and a risk of developing asbestosis.

Asbestos warts - These benign growths appear when asbestos fibers become stuck in the skin.

Legal action relate to asbestos

It is thought the rate at which people are diagnosed with asbestos related diseases will continue to rise. Hundreds of thousands of people have made claims against thousands of defendants. Some say the total amount of the litigation will surpass several hundred billion dollars.


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