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Asbestos Awareness
What
is asbestos?
This naturally occurring mineral
has been widely used in construction throughout the last century for
its heat and fire-resistant qualities. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency, most structures built before and
even throughout the 1980s contain asbestos in some shape or form.
Home improvement
and asbestos exposure risks
Employed in a diverse range of
building materials, asbestos was used for both interior and exterior
construction products, such as roofing, siding, insulation,
ceiling tiles, and flooring. Because asbestos use was so prevalent
and widespread, it is vital to identify any potential asbestos
hazards before engaging in home improvement projects.
Mesothelioma
Exposure
to asbestos has proven to result in a wide range of health
conditions, including
mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that attacks the lining of the
lungs, heart, or abdomen. This rare form of cancer is almost
exclusively caused by
asbestos exposure.
Due to a long latency period,
mesothelioma symptoms (shortness of breath, severe cough, chest
pain) may not appear for 20 or more years. For this reason,
mesothelioma is often diagnosed in later stages of development,
which severely complicates treatment and chances of survival. To
learn more about this elusive and often puzzling disease, please
review our extensive resources, featuring information on
mesothelioma causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and more.
What makes asbestos so dangerous?
The fibers of asbestos are what
cause it to be dangerous. They fill the air surrounding asbestos
products and when breathed or swallowed, embed in the tissues of the
linings of your organs, most commonly your lungs and digestive
system. Asbestos can also affect your heart. However, before people
knew the dangers of asbestos, it was used to make a number of
products, many of
which could be commonly found in the home. Today, the use of
asbestos is highly regulated, which means that less people are
getting sick, but many cases of asbestosis,
lung cancer
and mesothelioma
are still reported due to exposure in the past. If you live in an
older home or were part of the construction industry in the past, it
is a good idea to ask your doctor to check your body for
asbestos
exposure.
Asbestos and
Mesothelioma Center
The Asbestos &
Mesothelioma Center is committed to providing the latest,
up-to-date information in hopes of spreading awareness about the
real and eminent dangers of
asbestos.
Visit
the
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Center to learn more.
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