What is Asbestos?
A naturally occurring, highly fibrous mineral with thin, long and separable fibers found on earth. Exemplary for its properties – fire and heat resistant, low electrical conductivity and flexibility, Asbestos is used by several industries for insulation and other such works. It is found in almost every continent of the globe.
What does Asbestos look like?
The Asbestos fibers are typically long and needle-like structures. However, Asbestos is commonly found mixed with other materials such as cement. It is quite difficult to recognize Asbestos just by taking a look at it. Asbestos in a material can only be confirmed after being tested by a professional.
Where Is Asbestos Found?
Natural Asbestos is found in the ground. It is mined in some countries of the world, including South Africa, Russia and Canada. Amalgamated with other materials, asbestos has long been used for manufacturing wide variety products, especially insulating products that call for high heat resistance.
Why is Asbestos broadly used in industry?
Asbestos has found wide range of use in the industries owing to its especial properties like fire and heat resistant, low electrical conductivity and high tensile strength. However, it is with the ban on use of asbestos in many countries, the use of asbestos decreased by and large.
Which products contain Asbestos in them?
On an estimate there were over 5,000 consumer products containing Asbestos that included insulating products, fertilizer, hair dryers, coffee pots, toasters, gaskets, wood-burning stoves, electric blankets, drywall tape, irons and ironing board covers and several others. Most of these products still exist.
Is Asbestos perilous?
Asbestos can be dangerous especially, those which are damaged. Old or damaged asbestos can easily collapse and the needle-like fibers can be airborne. These fibers enter the lungs when inhaled. The fibers get settled into the pleura – lining of the lungs or other parts of the body, causing scarring or other fatal diseases such as mesothelioma.
How does one come in contact with Asbestos?
Before the issue of warning against use of Asbestos in 1970s, there were several products, which include brake shoes, drywall tape, gaskets, certain household products, and more. Such things may be still lying in the home.
What sorts of a health problem can Asbestos cause?
Some of the major diseases caused by Asbestos include mesothelioma – cancer of the pleura, peritoneum, or pericardium or Asbestosis – scarring of lungs. Particularly inhaling asbestos fibers can be dangerous for the lungs.
Who are at the maximum risk of Asbestos exposure?
Persons those who have been engaged in mining asbestos or those employed in industries where asbestos is used, like construction and shipbuilding.
What would be the best treatment for Asbestos-related disease?
For the less serious cases such as scarring of lungs, the victims can be treated with bronchodilators to relieve shortness of breath. Although there exists no permanent cure, the mesothelioma patients are treated with radiation, chemotherapy and in some cases surgery.
How can one avoid Asbestos exposure?
Not working in an environment with asbestos is the best option. It is also important to check that there are no signs of Asbestos in the home.
What to do, if one has come in contact with Asbestos?
It is not necessary that everyone who comes in contact with Asbestos develops a disease. In case of prolonged exposure, it would be better to have regular check-ups and chest X-rays to determine whether there is any health problem.
What to do if Asbestos is found at home?
If there exist Asbestos in home, a licensed Asbestos removal company should be called to test the air quality. In case the quality of air is below satisfactory level, Asbestos should be removed. In case the Asbestos is not damaged it should be left as it is, and this would not pose a health hazard.
How is Asbestos related to mesothelioma?
Asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma. Essentially, inhalation of Asbestos fibers allows them to settle into different parts of the body such as lungs. The fibers migrate to the tissues and causes tumor that can be fatal.
What are the latest government regulations against the use of Asbestos?
Although U.S. has not banned the use of Asbestos in industries, still a number of regulations are in place. However, the regulations and warnings of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970s and thereafter terminated the growth of such industry.
