Asbestos was a widely used material in the 20th Century in construction and industrial settings due to its high tensile strength, heat resistance, and electrical and chemical insulation. These properties made manufacturers mix asbestos into thousands of products. However, as the health implications of inhaling asbestos became apparent, countries began to phase it out, and some outright banned it.
Asbestos was essential to the production of corrugated roofing sheets, shingles, fire safety gear, some consumer products, vehicle parts, and many commonly used items. However, the tiny jagged fibers from asbestos can cause significant damage to the respiratory system of the people who inhale them if they do not take the proper steps to protect themselves. The inhaled fibers get lodged in the tissues of their respiratory system and stay there for the rest of their lives.
While there is a significant effort to transition away from asbestos, it still exists today in some products and old buildings and has limited industrial usage. People that contract diseases from exposure to asbestos fibers at work can seek workers compensation from their employers.
The risk of sickness from inhaling asbestos increases with prolonged exposure, and it is difficult to determine a safe threshold for exposure. This is because some people can contract a disease from a single highly intense exposure, while some others have worked around asbestos for years and are still healthy. People who work with asbestos today may suffer the following health conditions:
Cancer
Asbestos exposure can cause different forms of cancer including malignant mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs, stomach, and other organs in the body. Mesothelioma differs from most other forms of cancer, as it spreads over the surface of the lungs and chest instead of forming as one tumor. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose it. However, it can be treated by a specialist and proper treatment helps patients live a long full life.Â
Asbestosis
This is progressive lung scarring caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The inhaled fibers will cause chronic inflammation categorized by stiff and thickened lung tissue, dry cough, shortness of breath, crackles, dry cough, and clubbed fingers.
Pleural disease and other ailments
Pleural disease is the thickening or build-up of fluid and plaque on the lining of the lungs. It can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Inhaling asbestos fibers can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aggravation, pericardial mesothelioma, and immune changes.
Preventing Asbestos-related diseases
People who are most at risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases are those who work in shipyards, construction, car brake and clutch repair shops, and demolition sites. They may unknowingly extend this risk to their family members, which can be fatal if they are seniors, by exposing them to the fibers that may be on their work clothes when they return home.
To prevent these diseases, people should avoid working with materials that contain asbestos. If that is impossible, all workers should wear adequate personal protective equipment when handling materials containing asbestos. Workers who are exposed to asbestos should regularly undergo chest X-rays and should be promptly evaluated if they experience sudden weight loss, chest pain, or breathing difficulty.
Endnote
The health implications of working with asbestos are significant, as its tiny jagged fibers can be easily and unknowingly inhaled by people exposed to it. The resulting diseases are often difficult to cure, and require a specialist to monitor and treat. Workers should be extremely cautious around asbestos and wear protective gear to prevent inhalation.
