Beryllium The New Asbestos?
It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb who became the first industrial victims of beryllium, a rare but especially light, stable and strong metal whose toxic dust can kill those who breathe it. Now Seafarers doing ship maintenance...
How to find a Mesothelioma lawyer
Filing a lawsuit with the aim of getting compensation for Mesothelioma is a long and tedious process. However, the most important step is the selection of the Mesothelioma attorney or law firm. It is important that you find a good, experienced...
Lung Cancer Mesothelioma: Slowly Spreading Its Tentacles
Lung cancer mesothelioma is the common name for malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is not very responsive to therapy. Lung cancer mesothelioma is the deadliest of all asbestos related diseases. Medically speaking, lung cancer mesothelioma is...
Mesothelioma: Treatments for Mesothelioma Cancer
Mesothelioma cancer is currently treated through three treatments, depending on the cancer location, the disease stage, and the patient's general health and age. These treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which sometimes...
What are some coping strategies found useful by mesothelioma victims?
Mesothelioma is such a disease that affects not only the person diagnosed with the disease, but his or her loved ones, too. The intention to write this article is to offer some resource for patients and their families who are living with this...
The dangers of asbestos
If you read the newspaper or watch the nightly news, chances are you've heard about some of the dangers of asbestos. What is often ignored in these messages, however, is that asbestos also has a number of useful properties. If used responsibly and maintained in good condition, asbestos can be beneficial without causing harm.
What is asbestos? The term refers to microscopic, naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. These minerals have been used for years by the construction industry. The three most common types of asbestos are chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Asbestos is commonly used in insulation, fireproofing, roofing, flooring, and other building materials. The strength of the fibers and asbestos's resistance to heat make these materials very useful.
Why, then, are people afraid of asbestos? Well, asbestos is a carcinogenic, toxic substance. Asbestos-containing materials are not a health risk if they are left undisturbed. However, if these materials become damaged, the asbestos fibers separate and become airborne. This is when human exposure is likely to occur, as asbestos may be inhaled into the lungs.
While no “safe level” of exposure
has been determined, health problems are more common with greater and longer exposure to the fibers. Some of these health problems include asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. It is not true that asbestos causes headaches or sore muscles, as many once believed. Immediate health issues like these are rarely seen. In actuality, most damaging health effects of asbestos exposure don't surface until many years later. Perhaps this is why building buyers prefer to err on the side of caution when asbestos inspections are done.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a program for schools and other building owners in order to keep asbestos fiber levels low. In an effort to protect students and residents, the program aims to teach people how to recognize asbestos-containing materials. It also educates people about how to manage these materials and how to avoid exposure. With proper education and careful management, health risks from asbestos can theoretically be prevented.
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Asbestos Resources a website providing information on asbestos
View our entire article collection.