Asbestos is a hazardous material that was once commonly used in construction and various other applications. However, it has since been found to be very dangerous and can cause serious health problems, especially if left exposed. Thus, if asbestos is in or around a home or building, it’s essential to handle the problem correctly to prevent further exposure and risk. To help you with this, this article will examine why asbestos is bad and how to deal with it.
Common Places Asbestos Is Found
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once widely used for insulation due to its affordability, flame retardancy, and sound absorption. Despite its safety issues, asbestos can still be found in various places and materials today. It can often be in insulation around boilers and pipes, flooring tiles, roof shingles, and even automobile brake pads. Although it has been banned from construction materials since 1989, it is likely to still lurk in old homes and businesses built before that time.
In addition to those common locations, you may find asbestos in popcorn ceilings and certain types of paints, plastics, and paper. Generally, suppose the asbestos can become friable or crumbly in some way (i.e., through wear and tear or damage). In that case, there is a potential that it can then release its fibers into the air and be inhaled by those around it.
Why Asbestos Is Bad
Asbestos can cause several serious health risks despite its practical properties. All of which can lead to a variety of respiratory and other health problems, including:
Mesothelioma
When asbestos-containing particles are disturbed and released into the air, they can be breathed in by people around and even hundreds of feet away. Most mesothelioma cases arise from years of exposure to these asbestos-containing particles over time, even after inhaling only a small amount.
The particles become lodged deep within the lining of the lung, known as the pleura, and this can then cause cells to deteriorate over time, leading to malignant tumors in and around the chest cavity. These tumors can be challenging to treat and are often fatal, so it is vital to take measures to prevent exposure as much as possible.
Lung Cancer
Because the microscopic fibers of asbestos can be easily inhaled, they are also linked to other serious health problems, such as lung cancer. The microscopic fibers interfere with cell growth and damage the lungs by becoming embedded in tissue. Studies have found that people exposed to asbestos over long periods have an increased risk of developing this potentially fatal ailment.
With the cells being affected, cancerous tumors can develop along the lining of the lung as well as other areas of the respiratory system. If not detected and treated early, this type of cancer is often fatal, making it extremely important to minimize exposure to asbestos at all costs.
