| Before we discuss the term 'asbestos poisoning', | | | | high risk of asbestos poisoning is posed to people |
| let's have a look at some basics surrounding the | | | | with occupational exposure to the hazardous |
| material itself. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is | | | | material. |
| found in nature. It has been used liberally and | | | | In the early 1900s, researchers and the medical |
| widely in buildings and other constructions for over | | | | community reported an emerging trend of newly |
| 100 years. The fibers of asbestos are durable and | | | | diagnosed patients and fatalities in workers holding |
| sturdy, yet, flexible and extremely resistant to | | | | jobs in asbestos mines and the asbestos |
| heat. Asbestos can be found in a broad variety of | | | | manufacturing industries. Because of the long |
| products, such as flooring and ceiling tiles, house | | | | latency time of asbestos induced diseases, it took |
| siding, roof shingles, pipe insulations, etc. To give | | | | another few decades until the problem manifested |
| you some numbers: a study that was conducted | | | | itself in its entirety. Thousands of people got |
| not too long ago, indicated that in the Unites | | | | diagnosed and often died within a matter of |
| States alone, asbestos has been used an | | | | months thereafter. |
| estimated 30 million tons and can be found in over | | | | As mentioned earlier, there are three major |
| 3,000 products in industries like automotive, | | | | health conditions that are directly linked to |
| textile, electronics and construction. | | | | asbestos poisoning. |
| However, the material was proven to be | | | | Asbestosis is comparable to an inflammation. It |
| dangerous since a clear link between asbestos | | | | occurs when asbestos fibers are ingested or |
| exposure and severe health effects was | | | | inhaled and get trapped inside the lungs. As the |
| established. When we talk about asbestos | | | | body's own defense mechanism kicks in, an acidy |
| poisoning, we refer to any illness or injury that | | | | substance is being produced with the objective to |
| was caused by the exposure to asbestos. It is | | | | dissolve the fibers. However, the acid does |
| important to note that if asbestos remains | | | | unfortunately have no impact on the asbestos, |
| unhampered and undisturbed, no health risk is | | | | but directly affects the lung tissue which over |
| imminent. Asbestos is friable which means that it | | | | course of time, results in scarring. The scarring |
| can be broken up under only a fairly small amount | | | | impairs the regular functionality of the lungs. |
| of pressure. As a result, the minerals separate | | | | Mesothelioma is cancerous and fatal. It is the only |
| into microscopically small dust particles. As these | | | | illness that is solely linked to asbestos exposure. |
| particles get airborne, they may be inhaled by | | | | Lung cancer is ranked number one worldwide |
| anyone onsite or in close proximity, which can | | | | among the most lethal cancers. Smokers who are |
| cause a number of severe health conditions, such | | | | exposed to asbestos are at a significantly |
| as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. A | | | | increased risk of developing the disease. |