Asbestos Overview
Most of us have heard of asbestos and are at least somewhat aware of the dangers associated with it; but many people don’t know exactly what asbestos is. Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals, many of which have been widely used in the construction industry. Because much asbestos is harmful, millions of workers have been exposed over the years, resulting in diseases such as mesothelmeoma and asbestosis. Many older schools and houses also contain asbestos, which can be harmful if disturbed or removed.
Many people assume asbestos is a recent discovery, although it was actually used by the ancient Greeks, who also gave the substance its name – from an adjective meaning inextinguishable. There is also some evidence that the Greeks and the Romans were aware that prolonged exposure to asbestos damaged the lungs. Asbestos use became widespread during the Industrial Revolution and was used originally for insulation; the first asbestos mine opened in Canada in 1879. The first officially documented death from exposure to asbestos was in 1906.
Asbestos has been so widely used not only in the construction industry, but also the textile, shipbuilding and car manufacturing industries, largely because of its several useful properties. It is well known for its high tensile strength, its chemical and thermal stability, its sound absorption as well as its suitability as a thermal insulation material. There are actually several different types of asbestos and not all of it is hazardous – but unfortunately, much of it is.
Asbestos is harmful because the microscopic fibers that make up asbestos can easily become airborne and inhaled into the lungs – eventually causing serious health problems. The harmful effects of inhaling asbestos aren’t apparent until long after the exposure has occurred – sometimes up to 50 years. A smoker is even more at risk – someone who smokes and has been exposed to asbestos is estimated to be around 90 times more likely to die from mesothelmeoma than a non-smoker.
Exposure to asbestos usually leads to one of two main diseases – mesothelmeoma and asbestosis. The symptoms of both conditions vary and are often similar to the symptoms of some other diseases, such as asthma; because of this it can sometimes be difficult to accurately diagnose them. Generally speaking, if you have been exposed to asbestos and suffer from symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing and chest pains, you may well have mesothelmeoma or asbestosis.
Asbestos exposure is such a serious problem as the material is so common - large amounts of hazardous asbestos can be found in most buildings in the United States dating from the period between 1920 and 1980. Asbestos was also routinely used in industrial buildings such as refineries and shipyards – it is estimated 100,000 people will eventually have died from exposure in the shipbuilding industries. Although asbestos use has been banned since 1989 by the EPA, construction workers and others who must work in older buildings are routinely exposed to materials containing asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos commonly affects the families of workers as well - there is a risk of secondary exposure by spouses, widows and families of those who have been exposed to asbestos. Many family members are exposed to it without their knowledge, often from dust and fibers that are carried into the home on the clothes of those exposed to it; this is known as secondary exposure and the results can be just as harmful.
Today, (OSHA) The Occupational and Safety Health Administration is responsible for enforcing laws governing exposure to asbestos and ensuring that a working environment is not harmful to workers. In certain industries, employers are required to ensure a safe environment by monitoring asbestos levels, providing face masks, providing adequate hygiene facilities and even offering training classes. Several countries have banned the use of asbestos since the mid-1980s.
Asbestos has been around for a large part of the 20th century, and even though the dangers of exposure to asbestos are now well known, many new cases of mesothelmeoma come to light each year. If you are affected – or think you might be – be sure to seek medical and legal help.
