Everything You Need to Know About Asbestos in Your Home and Workplace

It’s common knowledge today that asbestos is extremely dangerous for people and animals because it has carcinogenic properties. Nevertheless, even if asbestos was to be banned immediately, the fact remains that is has been widely used in construction and building industries over the past century in Britain, Canada, and Australia. This means that anyone who lives in an older house is probably surrounded by asbestos – it’s in floors, walls, and pipes. Here’s what you need to know about asbestos in your home and workplace:

On the nature of asbestos

Even though asbestos is a mineral that can be found in nature, it can be very dangerous for your health. Because it’s so easy to find, and because of its great properties, asbestos has been widely used in buildings as well as homes. Because it’s a mineral, it’s mined the same way iron and copper are, and today there are six varieties of asbestos, with three being most commonly used in construction and production of car parts. Still, what makes asbestos different from other minerals is that once crushed, it breaks up into fine fibres instead of small particles, and if you inhale them, it can cause severe health complications. 

How your health is affected

The good news is that as long as asbestos is “undisturbed” and not broken or crushed, it’s not hazardous or dangerous for your health. On the other hand, people who have been exposed to asbestos in their workplaces have more health problems. There are increased risks of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a type of cancer that affects the layer of tissue that covers a number of internal organs), and even asbestosis, a condition that causes a person’s lungs to become scarred with fibrous tissue. The bad news is that the symptoms for these serious health conditions can take approximately 25 years to appear in the first place, which makes treatment more complicated. 

High risks and dangers

We are all exposed to asbestos during our lifetime, and mostly these are small quantities that don’t cause any health problems. On the other hand, you can be exposed to dangerous quantities of asbestos without even realizing, especially if there are some renovations taking place. You need to be careful because you will be in danger of developing severe health issues, including mesothelioma, and if that happened to you, you have to consult a mesothelioma lawyer. If you suspect that your health might be in danger due to traces of asbestos in your vicinity, we strongly advise you to see a doctor and contact lawyers. 

It’s pretty common even today

We already mentioned that asbestos is still used in construction and production, and this is because of its great traits. Manufacturers and builders like using it because it’s not just strong, but also very flexible, and it’s not highly flammable. It resists corrosion, and it will not conduct electricity, and these traits are not found in many other materials. Aware that it can be hazardous, the governments have restricted the use of asbestos, but it’s still present in many industries today, even in makeup. Still, if there are traces of asbestos in schools and hospitals (or any other buildings), it’s imperative to remove it safely. 

 

Even though the manufacture of materials that contain asbestos ended decades ago, the fact remains that traces of asbestos can be found everywhere. The good news is that it’s harmless unless broken so you should be fine if you’re not planning on doing any remodelling. If you do notice that your health is declining and suspect that it might be because of asbestos, seek help immediately.

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