What are the dangers of Asbestos Exposure

War during 1939-1945 was the driving force for the sudden and vast increase in the use of asbestos. 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.

During the 1980's the EPA added to the laws issued by the Consumer Product and Safety Commission by passing laws stating that asbestos could not be used for any use which it had not been put to up until that time. Despite all the attention asbestos has received over the years there are a surprising number of people who have no idea how harmful the fibre can be to humans.

Asbestos bundles that occur naturally can be split into individual asbestos fibres. The fact that asbestos will not conduct electricity is fire and chemical resistant made it ideal for industry. With it's unbeatable properties of heat and chemical resistance many uses for asbestos were found in the home and industry.

Asbestos was used in thermal pipe insulation; fireproof clothing for fire fighters and fire doors. The banning of the use of asbestos put pained to it's use in the construction industry but up until this time it was widely used for joint compound, sound proofing an well as wall and ceiling tiles. As long as the fibers are encased and contained, with little chance of exposure under normal conditions, all of these uses are legal.

Current medical technology is unable to treat all of the possible effects of asbestos fibres on humans. Inhaling asbestos fibres commonly results in asbestosis, an inflammation of the lungs caused by the asbestos fibres aggravating the lining of the lungs.

Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of another asbestos related ailment called mesothelioma. 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.

Asbestos has been used through out history; the original name came from the ancient Greeks who recognised that there were hazards associated with the material. In the late 1970s court documents proved that asbestos industry officials knew of the dangers of asbestos exposure and tried to conceal them.

The use of asbestos has declined due to the level of litigation that has taken place by its victims once the link between asbestos and the diseases it caused had been established. 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.

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