Asbestos – What is It?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that is mined across the globe. Coveted for its fire-resistance and insulating properties, asbestos was used in the development of a wide range of products since the 1940's when it began being used internationally. Asbestos is easy to identify as a raw material though more often than not asbestos was mixed into other materials like concrete. Thin, fibrous needles are characteristic of asbestos and can be identified readily in most older insulation. Since Asbestos can be mixed with other materials so having a professional come to test the composition of the drywall, insulation or cement in your home is the best way to tell if your family is at risk of asbestos inhalation.
Is Asbestos Dangerous?
When asbestos is old or damaged the needle-like fibers go airborne and can find their way down your windpipe like darts that ultimately impale into your lungs. Once wet, these fibers become heavier too so there is less likelihood of breathing them back out once they're inside of you. Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, which are all respiratory diseases that are terminal illnesses.
If Asbestos is So Bad for People, Why Was it Used So Extensively?
Asbestos was used since the 1940's for its fire-resistance and its insulation power; at the time it was being used, folks had no idea it would cause respiratory problems. In the 1970's asbestos was found to be a major health concern and bans were placed in many countries. Gaskets, household products, insulation and drywall tape are a handful of literally dozens of products that have included asbestos in some form. At current rate in the US there are 3,000 people dying a year from Mesothelioma directly and that figure is higher in other countries. Unfortunately, the only known cause for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure so at least every mesothelioma death globally can be directly attributed to the use of asbestos.
What Professions Are Most at Risk for Exposure?
When folks have been dealing with asbestos on a daily or weekly basis for years at a time, it is not uncommon to find that mesothelioma develops as a result: because of this it's important to know what jobs have the highest risk of exposure to asbestos. First and foremost, asbestos abatement teams probably have the highest risk of getting asbestos exposure related symptoms though they are also the teams that are best equipped with safety gear. Carpenters and contractors don't always carry goggles and full body suits around to projects so if asbestos has been used for insulation at a job site and nobody's the wiser, that contractor can become exposed without warning. In addition to contractors and asbestos removal teams, shipbuilders would also be frequently exposed to high levels of asbestos because the fiberglass hulls used to include amounts of asbestos until most countries banned the substance. By breathing in ship paint over years it's entirely possible to develop a case of mesothelioma.