What are the dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Mining and commercial use of asbestos began in the 1800s, and grew significantly during World War II. Evidence that asbestos was appearing in the environment was the reason why the Consumer Product and Safety Commission began to legislate on asbestos during the 70's.

The EPA strengthened the laws on the use of asbestos in the 80's, banning the use of asbestos in any new use. If you ask people today, most of them are aware of the harmful nature of asbestos to those who are exposed to the fibres.

Asbestos fibre occurs naturally as fibre bundles and it was these that were mined to create asbestos used in industry. Resistance to chemical attack and heat made asbestos irresistible to industry. The wide spread use of asbestos was because of the almost magical properties it possessed, gaining it many uses in manufacturing.

Asbestos has been banned from being used in auto parts such as brake pads, brake shoes and clutch plates. If a building was built in or before the 1980's then you should assume that it contains asbestos as it's use was wide spread in the construction industry right up until it was banned. There are legal uses of asbestos, where it can be proven that asbestos will not be able to contaminate the environment then that use is considered legal.

Asbestos exposure can be fatal as many of its effects are incurable with current medication. Inhaling asbestos fibres commonly results in asbestosis, an inflammation of the lungs caused by the asbestos fibres aggravating the lining of the lungs.

After Asbestosis, the second major ailment resulting from asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, this is a cancer of the lining of the major organs. In severe cases of mesothelioma, the person may have many tumour masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasise, or spread, to other parts of the body.

It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people in the United States have died, or will die, from asbestos exposure related to ship building, such is the hazards of the material. The term Mesothelioma was not used in medical literature until 1931, and was not associated with asbestos until sometime in the 1940s.

As the level of litigation for compensation for asbestos exposure increased, its use has reduced dramatically. Despite knowing g the risks of asbestos it is still legal if the right safety guidelines are followed.

The author of this web articles has written many other articles about asbestos. If you are interested you can find links to some of their other work below.

Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust Agreement
Certified Asbestos Removal And Torrance California
Certified Asbestos Removal Companies North Carolina
Chances Of Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure
Coal Mining Asbestos Exposure
Colorado Springs Asbestos Removal Companies
Connecticut Asbestos Removal Training Programs