What are the dangers of Asbestos Exposure

The Second World War can be traced back to the reason why industry suddenly began to use asbestos in large quantities. Laws on how asbestos could be used were introduced in the US during the 70's that restricted how asbestos was used by industry.

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. Resistance to chemical attack and heat made asbestos irresistible to industry. Manufacturing and construction were most willing to put asbestos to use in industry.

Asbestos was used to make joint compound, gaskets and various fire proofing aids. The construction industry used asbestos as a fire retardant as well as a sound proofing material. Asbestos is legal if it can be proven that its use will not harm humans or the environment.

Exposure to asbestos can be fatal as there are several possible asbestos related ailments, which are incurable. One of the commonest ailments caused by exposure to asbestos is asbestosis, which is inflammation of the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the major organs; it is as a result of exposure to asbestos. The two most common forms are pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the lungs, and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining around the heart.

The health hazards of asbestos have only been realised in the last 30 years by the legal and medical profession. It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or asbestosis to become apparent in the victim; this is the reason why it has taken so long for the link between the diseases and asbestos to be made.

A complete ban on asbestos containing material in Australia was introduced in 1991 although some building materials in storage were still being used in the years that followed. The British Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has promoted rigorous controls on asbestos handling, because of many reports linking exposure to asbestos dust or fibres with thousands of annual deaths.

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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