Asbestos Removal and the Related Health Issues

Asbestos is made from minerals and has microscopic fibers in it. As these fibers are resistant to fire, heat and chemicals and bad conductors of electricity it has been mined and used extensively in construction, automobile and other industries. If anything containing asbestos is disturbed, the microscopic fibers in it are sprayed in air. If these fibers are breathed in, they can get trapped in lungs and remain there for years. In the long run, they build up and cause serious health problems, such as:

Mesothelioma: A rare yet deadly cancer that affects chest cavity, lining of lungs or abdomen

Asbestosis: An inflammatory disease of lungs that can lead to coughing, shortness of breath and ultimately scarring of lung that produces difficulty in breathing.

Lung Cancer

Other Lung Diseases: Other lung problems caused by asbestos fibers are pleural plaques, pleural effusions (abnormal fluid collection between lungs and inner wall of chest) and thickening of the membrane that surrounds the lungs

An association between other cancers such as that of GI tract, kidney, throat, voice box, bladder, brain, gallbladder, etc and asbestos exposure has also been suggested by studies.

Asbestos has been used in many things by now, like building materials, plastics, adhesives, coatings, paints, floor and ceiling tiles, garden products containing vermiculite and so on. Today due to regulations and health hazards, the use of asbestos has been much lessened than some decades ago.

Asbestos workers are at the highest risk of asbestos poisoning. Even their family members too are at increased risk of mesothelioma probably due to the asbestos fibers that come in their contact through hair, skin and clothes of the workers.

Asbestos Symptoms

Our respiratory tract is the most exposed site for asbestos and therefore symptoms occur mainly there, though they differ from each other depending upon the specific condition. The major symptom is shortness of breath. Other symptoms may be:

• Chest pain
• Chest tightness
• Persistent cough with mucus
• Loss of appetite
• Crackling sound in lungs during inhalation

Cautiousness to Find and Handle Asbestos

If you think that you have asbestos in your office or home, don’t directly touch it. Remember that if the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and is not damaged, it is not harmful. E.g. internal asbestos sheet ceilings or walls that are in sound state and are painted should be left as they are.

Loosely bound asbestos should be removed only by licensed professionals, like AsbestosRemovalExperts.ca, experts in asbestos removal in Airdrie, who guarantee 100% asbestos removal. They use special equipment for this dangerous process and follow specific guidelines. Their contractors are experienced and knowledgeable, and ensure that all safety standards and regulations are followed.

If you find asbestos in your home or office, you should use such a professional service to remove it and get rid of the hazardous material professionally and safely.