What Health Problems Can Asbestos Cause?
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that is naturally found in the environment. The fibers of asbestos are incredibly strong and they are resistant to heat – which makes this product effective in making insulations and other products often used, such as vehicle brakes.
When asbestos is broken up, such as during insulation removal or during the mining process – it is possible for dust particles to enter the air. If and when asbestos dust is inhaled, the fibers can settle in your lungs and/or stomach creating dangerous internal irritation.
According to several high ranking agencies including the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), asbestos is classified as a known carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer in humans).
Risk Factors Individuals who are at higher risk to have an asbestos related disease have been exposed to asbestos frequently and at high levels. For instance, people who are construction works and specific to demolitions. Workers who mine the raw asbestos minerals. Individuals who handle insulation, sheet metal, and pipe fittings should be careful to avoid asbestos exposure. Additionally, people who live with someone who is around asbestos have a high risk of getting asbestos relation such as Mesothelioma because fibers can cling to clothes and skin. To reduce this risk, it is strongly advised to shower and change clothes prior to entering the home. Also, if you have been subject to radiation therapy, for cancer, your risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses can also be increased.
Signs/Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure
Some of the more common symptoms of extensive asbestos exposure include, but not limited to; persistent mucus free cough, clubbed fingers and toes, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and chest pain. It is important to mention that symptoms associated with long time exposure to asbestos may not be noticeable until 10 to 40 years after exposure. Diseases associated with asbestos are difficult to diagnose in the early stages, which is one of the reasons that the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends regular checks of pulmonary function and chest x-rays every few years. Procedures performed to detect diseases related to asbestos exposure
Below are some tests that can be performed to detect asbestos related diseases; however, it not always possible to detect prior to symptoms being noticeable. Chest X-ray Low-dose CT scan Spirometry Bronchoscopy Bronchoalveolar lavage Pulmonary function tests
What is Asbestosis? Asbestos dust is miniscule and easily inhaled and carried to the lungs where asbestosis (fibrotic lung disease) can occur and the chest cavity lining can be altered (pleura). These diseases can severely reduce a person’s ability to breathe properly and easily. When asbestos is inhaled over long periods of time, the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma is greatly increased. Asbestosis is a lung disease that caused healthy tissue in the lungs to become scarred. In turn, elasticity of the lungs is decreased and breathing becomes labored. When blood flow is slow and resistant and doesn’t get to your lungs in a timely manner, your heart can become enlarged. This can trigger many other health issues.
What is Mesothelioma?
This aggressive disease is directly associated with people who work around asbestos or people who are living with someone who works with or around asbestos. Mesothelioma is similar to lung cancer in symptoms. However, many people that have been exposed to asbestos never develop mesothelioma. This fact leans toward the truth that other indicators may be involved in determining whether or not someone will get mesothelioma. For example, if you have a predisposition toward cancer or other type of illness, you risk of developing mesothelioma could increase.
Researchers are currently in the process of developing blood test that will detect markers for mesothelioma and/or asbestos exposure; however, these tests have not be developed to the point of being accurate enough in detecting mesothelioma or exposure to asbestos.
Conclusion However, if you know that you have been heavily exposed to asbestos throughout your life, screening for mesothelioma and other diseases relating to asbestos exposure could be lifesaving. There is no single test that can conclusively detect this disease, but a combination of tests could point medical professionals in the right direction of a diagnosis and treatment.
Published by Pro Asbestos Removal Brisbane https://www.proasbestosremovalbrisbane.com.au/
Phone: 07 3067 7111