Things To Know About Asbestos-Related Disease
Asbestos was widely used by the construction industry in prior generations as a component in all sorts of construction projects. It was used among other things as thermal insulation for pipes, walls, ceilings and attics.
In fact, I can remember as a boy we played indoors at grade school in the winter in a large basement room whose ceiling was lined with hot water pipes used for radiator heat. During recess and lunch breaks we would play a version of hockey except we kicked a volley ball around. More often that not, it seemed, the ball would hit one of the pipes, all of which were wrapped with asbestos and secured with a thin cloth. The impact would send a cloud of dust to the floor and invariably into the air we breathed. We didn't know it then, but we were endangering our lives by breathing this poisonous pollutant. Thankfully, I'm still alive and kicking, but I don't know if any of my classmates have contracted a deadly asbestos-related disease from those indoor games.
Symptoms Can Take Years To Develop
Asbestos exposure can lead to medical issues and asbestos related disease years down the road. There are some types of asbestos related disease that may not manifest for twenty to forty years after a person has been exposed. Therefore, awareness and diagnosis of the problem is both critical and difficult.
These ailments come in many shapes and sizes, and are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. This exposure occurs in homes, workplaces and schools that were constructed using materials containing asbestos. Asbestos was a very common building material in the 20th century, prior to our knowledge of its harmful effects on our health, and was found in materials ranging from roofing to siding to insulation.
People Exposed To Asbestos Are AT Risk
People are exposed to asbestos and thus at risk for becoming ill when they breathe in air containing asbestos fibers. Once inside the body, asbestos fibers can move around, although one of the more commonly damaged areas is the lungs.
Asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer are both labeled as being an asbestos related disease. Asbestosis is irritation and inflammation of the lungs caused by scarring due to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs around the lungs, ribs and abdominal organs.
Persons At Risk Should Not Smoke
Treatment can include standard cancer treatments, vaccinations and infection treatment where appropriate, and use of oxygen for breathing issues. Those who have or who are at risk for asbestos related disease and smoke are strongly encouraged to seek help with smoking cessation.
Exposure to asbestos is not a guarantee that someone will experience medical difficulties. However, those who have been exposed should be aware of the risks and obtain regular medical evaluation, especially since asbestos related disease can take decades to occur.
Legal Recourse An Option For Victims
Many cases are the result of exposures that occurred in unsafe workplaces. In other instances, individuals were exposed because of building construction using materials that contained asbestos occurring in or near residential areas. Because of this, there are many lawsuits involving asbestos exposure and many lawyers and legal firms who focus on restitution for those suffering from asbestos related disease. In addition, many areas known to have had high risk for asbestos exposure have programs in place, both private and non-profit, which offer screening for asbestos related disease and support for individuals and family members dealing with health issues.
If there is reason to believe that asbestos is present in a building, whether it be a commercial building, workplace, or residential home, experts should be contacted to inspect the property and recommend appropriate courses of action.
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Tags: asbestos-diseases, Health, Legal Recourse, Medical, Mesothelioma, treatment
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