What are the health hazards of asbestos exposure?

The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA says the health hazards of asbestos exposure can increase your risk of getting lung cancer . They also say the more significant the asbestos exposure, the greater the odds of developing harmful health effects.

Where are asbestos risks found?

The people who have the highest asbestos exposure and cancer risk are those who live in old buildings dating back to the 50s to the 70s. Schools and old homes constructed during this period likely used asbestos minerals for roofing or floor tiles. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry or ATSDR, asbestos is still present in older homes and buildings , and some products still contain it.

What occupations are most at risk of exposure to asbestos?

People at risk of asbestos exposure often worked in construction, plumbing, and automobile industries, resulting in life-threatening diseases . More recently, those who mined talc for talcum powders and other contaminated consumer products might also be at risk of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related disease, which involves cancer of the lining of the lungs .

How much asbestos exposure is harmful?

Based on what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says, simply breathing asbestos fibers can cause a build-up of scar-like tissue in our lungs. They also say there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

What if asbestos material is damaged?

Asbestos materials can be found in ceiling tiles, brake pads, and roofing. If you suspect these materials to be made of asbestos, call a professional for asbestos abatement to remove asbestos. Afterward, go get checked and ask for a chest x-ray. It is likely chrysotile asbestos or white asbestos because it is the most commonly used asbestos mineral.

What are the symptoms of asbestos exposure?

The symptoms can vary depending on if you have asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma, among other health effects. It also depends on the level of the number of asbestos fibers and pleural plaque in the lungs. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms are shortness of breath, chest tightness, persistent dry cough, and a crackling sound in the lungs while breathing in.

How does asbestos exposure take place?

It happens when a person is within close proximity to any materials that use asbestos. They are also exposed when they use a consumer product contaminated with asbestiform minerals like talc. Several lawsuits are still ongoing for damages for asbestos-containing products. Companies must undergo careful processes for asbestos removal to ensure that their employees have a safe work environment. If there are indications that your workplace may contain a toxic substance, it is essential to follow up.

How does asbestos exposure take place?

It happens when a person is within close proximity to any materials that use asbestos. They are also exposed when they use a consumer product contaminated with asbestiform minerals like talc. Several lawsuits are still ongoing for damages for asbestos-containing products . Companies must undergo careful processes for asbestos removal to ensure that their employees have a safe work environment. If there are indications that your workplace may contain a toxic substance, it is essential to follow up.

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Reading Time: 13 mins

Last Modified: November 24, 2022

Page Features:4 cited research

Katie Duquette - editor

Katie Duquette, Esquire, edits our legal and medical content. She works as a clinical research coordinator in neurology at Thomas Jefferson University and received her law degree in 2016 from Villanova University School of Law. She is a licensed attorney in the District of Columbia.

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Last Modified: November 24, 2022

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