During home renovation and demolition, homeowners may disturb asbestos materials. This includes vermiculite insulation and pipe insulation in homes built before 1980. Also, foreign car parts may contain asbestos and should be handled by an experienced professional.
Non-occupational exposure to asbestos poses a significant health risk. This is because asbestos has been found to cause diseases in people not working with the mineral.
Asbestos is a contaminant
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals once widely used in construction for its durability, fire retardant and corrosion-resistant properties. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases microscopic fibres into the air which can be inhaled. Exposure to these harmful particles increases the risk of developing serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Symptoms of these diseases do not develop immediately and may take between 15 and 60 years to become apparent.
When asbestos is in good condition and has not been exposed to disturbance, it poses no health risk. However, this cannot be guaranteed and it is best to consult a licensed asbestos abatement professional before making any decisions about the material.
The most common source of exposure to asbestos is during renovation or demolition work. Disturbing asbestos materials such as cement, roofing and siding shingles and insulation releases asbestos fibres into the air. This can also happen when asbestos-containing drywall is sawed, drilled or sanded.
Asbestos can also be ingested when people consume contaminated food or drink. This can occur if water that flows through asbestos-containing pipes contains asbestos fibres or if people swallow asbestos-contaminated dust. Ingested asbestos fibres can cause a variety of health problems including mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. These are rare forms of cancer that are caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres.
Asbestos is a carcinogen
Asbestos is a carcinogen, and even small amounts of exposure can damage your health. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, a deadly disease that affects the thin lining of the lungs. It also can cause asbestosis, which causes scarring in the lungs. Many people who work in blue-collar jobs are exposed to asbestos through occupational exposure. This includes construction workers, as well as those who work in older homes, schools and the military. These workers are also at risk for secondhand exposure, since the toxic dust can cling to clothing and tools.
Asbestos can be found in many building materials, including insulation, ceiling tiles, boilers and sprayed coatings. It is a friable material, meaning that it can easily crumble or be pulverized, and the tiny fibers can then be inhaled. Asbestos can also be released from damaged or old materials during home redecoration, renovation, and demolition.
Asbestos was once a common material in construction. It is now banned in most countries. Some countries have completely banned the use of asbestos, while others have strict regulations or are phasing it out over a period of time. It is important to contact a qualified asbestos professional to assess your building. Then, you can take steps to protect your health. Fortunately, if you are exposed to asbestos in the workplace, it is possible to file an asbestos lawsuit.
Asbestos is a pulmonary hazard
Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. These diseases develop over time from long-term exposure. The risk increases when smoking is added to the equation. Exposure to asbestos can also cause other health problems, including ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer.
Asbestos is a mineral that has been used in thousands of products because it is fire resistant, strong, and flexible. It is also a good insulator and has low toxicity. However, the mineral is now banned in 39 countries and many countries have strict restrictions on its use.
Most of the risk from asbestos is related to occupational exposure. Workers in blue-collar jobs have the highest risk, including those who work in shipyards and construction. Family members of people who work with asbestos can also be exposed through secondhand exposure. In addition, people who live near mining or processing facilities can be exposed to environmental asbestos.
The ATSDR has developed a residential checklist to help homeowners and renovators identify asbestos in their homes. The checklist includes easy-to-follow steps for conducting a visual inspection of the home. This is the best way to find out whether a home contains asbestos. It is also important to note that the checklist does not recommend removing or disturbing asbestos-containing materials, which can be dangerous. It is always a good idea to consult a professional before deciding to remove asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos is a respiratory hazard
The same properties that made asbestos a popular building material in construction – it is fireproof, acts as an insulator and resists corrosion – also make it hazardous to health. When asbestos fibres are breathed in, they can become lodged deep within the lungs where they cannot be removed or broken down by the body’s natural defences. This leads to long-term, disabling and deadly diseases like mesothelioma.
Many buildings built before the 1980s have materials containing asbestos, including ceiling tiles, wallboard, pipe insulation and sprayed coatings. While these products pose a low risk if they are intact and undisturbed, they can release minute fibres into the air when they are touched, sanded or cut. These fibres can then be inhaled, causing lung damage and disease.
While workers in the building and construction industries are at a high risk of exposure, other people can also be affected by breathing in asbestos. This is known as secondary exposure. This can occur when a person unknowingly brings asbestos fibers home on their clothes, hair or skin. It can also happen when someone launders work clothes that contain asbestos, such as those worn by construction workers.
Those who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing a variety of conditions, such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These conditions can take decades to develop, and many people do not know they are at risk until they are diagnosed with one of these diseases.