What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a term used to refer to a group of naturally occurring minerals which have been used for thousands of years due to their ability to easily be separated into thin fibers which are resistant to heat and fire, and are not electrically conductive.
How is Asbestos Used?
Asbestos has been used in a variety of manufacturing industries in America since the 1800s. It has been added to cement and plastics as a strengthening and insulation agent, been used in various different fireproofing products, and been used in various insulation products products as well. Asbestos can also be found in some older garden products and even older crayons.
Where is Asbestos Found?
There are currently millions of buildings and products which are contaminated with asbestos in the United States. No one knows exactly how many buildings in the U.S. are contaminated with the substance, but it is widely known that many people continue to unknowingly work in such buildings.
What Diseases Does Asbestos Cause?
Asbestos leads to a number of diseases including:
Asbestosis – This non-cancerous, chronic, respiratory disease causes its victims to have shortness of breath and a crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.
Lung Cancer – Asbestos exposure is known to increase a person’s likelihood of developing lung cancer by at least five times. Lung cancer is a very serious disease and is often times deadly.
Mesothelioma – All cases of mesothelioma are related to asbestos exposure. This rare cancer is extremely debilitating and deadly.
What is My Likelihood of Developing Asbestos Related Disease?
Researchers say that every person will be exposed to some level of asbestos during their lifetimes, as the substance is found in the air, water, and soil. However, the vast majority of people will never come into significant enough contact with the substance to become ill from it. Usually, those who fall ill from asbestos related diseases have been exposed to the substance on a regular basis over a significant period of time.
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