The Risks of Asbestos: Health Conditions Due to Asbestos Exposure
Bower Roofing Inc. Postal PO Box 422 Floreat WA 6014
Pleural Effusion Inhalation of asbestos particles causes irritation and inflammation in the pleura, the lining of the lung that helps the lung glide over the chest wall during breathing. The irritated pleura produce fluid that then go into the cavity, a medical condition called pleural effusion. While essentially not harmful, pleural disease may constrain proper respiration. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fever, cough and chest pain. In most cases, the condition is likely to recur even after treatment, unless the patient goes through talc pleurodesis.
Asbestosis Asbestosis is a health problem characterized by scarring of the lung tissues. Its symptoms include chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, dry cough, loss of appetite, and finger clubbing.It can also cause severe strain on the heart muscle. The health condition increases the risk for more serious conditions, like lung cancer. This frequently occurs among smokers or those who have history of smoking. The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos usually appear 10-40 years after initial contact.
Asbestos was once a commonly used roofing material
in
residential
buildings.
The
use
prevalent
because
of of
and the its
commercial material
was
versatility
and
resistance to heat transfer. Roofing products such as roofing shingles, cement roofing, asphalt roll roofing thenrose in popularity, until they were found to cause serious health hazards.
Asbestos-related
diseases
in
Australia
resulted from various types of exposure; currently, the most common victims of such health
problems
particularly
those
are who
homeowners,
embark
on
DIY
renovations. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases developing
from
residential
construction
activities gave rise to awareness campaigns, informing the public about the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma A form of cancer, mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen. The inhaled fibres enter the lung walls and trigger development of cancer in the pleura.If the patient swallows the fibres, it could go to the stomach and cause cancer in the lining of abdomen. Experts say that most cases of mesothelioma are due to exposure to amphibole asbestos. Generally, the symptoms of the condition appear 45 years after initial exposure. There is currently no absolute treatment for this health problem. Sometimes, doctors use pleurectomy, or the elimination of pleura, when the cancer is still on its first stages. Exposure to asbestos has far-reaching impact onhealth. It is thus important for people, most especially homeowners, to identify where asbestos is and work with licensed removalists,to ensure thorough clean up and prevent health problems.
RESOURCES: Bower Roofing Inc. - http://www.bowerroofing.com.au/ Daily Telegraph - http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/homerenovators-the-third-wave-of-cancer-victims-being-hit-with-asbestosrelateddiseases/story-fni0cx12-1227086804108 Better Health http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/asbestos_in_the_ home