Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure can occur by working with or near materials containing asbestos, a material used pervasively in the United States since 1880. The home can also be a site of asbestos exposure, either because of asbestos materials in the home or because a worker carries this fiber home from the jobsite.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Asbestos exposure is extremely harmful to human health and is known to cause serious health ailments including asbestosis, lung cancer, and a form of cancer called mesothelioma.While the dangers of asbestos exposure have been known for years, asbestos is still used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Despite the decline in asbestos use, people who were suffered from asbestos exposure years, and even decades ago are still at risk for developing serious asbestos related diseases.
If you or a loved one has developed a serious disease that you believe may be the result of asbestos exposure, you should seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis is essential for an optimal prognosis.
Where does asbestos exposure occur?
Asbestos exposure can occur on the job, in the home, or in certain communities. Because asbestos has been used so extensively in the United States, officials say that the entire population has been subject to asbestos exposure to some degree. While asbestos exposure does not necessarily lead to health problems, prolonged exposure or exposure to high amounts of asbestos can greatly increase one’s chances of developing serious adverse health effects.
On the job
The following occupational groups have the greatest risk of asbestos exposure:
- Construction and building workers
- Plumbers
- Car, truck, and airplane mechanics and repairpersons
- Firefighters
- Electricians and electrical workers
- Janitors and maintenance personnel
- Insulators
- Shipyard workers
- Asbestos abatement specialists
Other sites of asbestos exposure
People who live or work near, or go to school in environments with asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are at risk for asbestos exposure. Family members of those who work with or near asbestos are also at risk.
How does asbestos exposure occur?
Asbestos exposure occurs when ACMs are damaged or disturbed and release fibers or smaller particles into the air. It is sometimes difficult to know if you have been subject to asbestos exposure because airborne asbestos fibers are odorless, colorless, and virtually invisible to the naked eye. However, people working or living in areas with deteriorating or otherwise compromised asbestos have likely been exposed to the substance.
Once airborne, asbestos fibers can be ingested or inhaled, after which they can become lodged in the lungs, organs of the abdomen, or heart lining. Diseases caused by asbestos exposure do not often present any symptoms for years or decades. Thus, asbestos exposure can result in ill health effects long down the road.
Have you been subjected to asbestos exposure?
While it is difficult to completely avoid asbestos exposure in certain environments, there are ways to reduce the risks of exposure to this dangerous material. Asbestos abatement experts can help you reduce asbestos exposure in the home. Industry standards also limit and reduce asbestos exposure in the workplace, though unfortunately, these regulations aren’t always adequately enforced.
If you would like to learn more about asbestos exposure, please contact us today.
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