The Dangers of Asbestos

There are many misunderstandings and misconceptions about the dangers of asbestos that can be found in your home. Asbestos was popularly used as an insulator in houses built before 1980 before it was discovered that asbestos fibers can enter the air and cause health risks. Asbestos can be found in some types of walls and flooring, such as popcorn ceilings and vinyl tile floors. Asbestos actually doesn’t pose much of a risk when these fixtures of a house are left undisturbed. But if your home has been damaged or you’re looking to remodel, the asbestos can become disturbed, leading to the asbestos fibers entering the air. It’s these fibers that can cause the diseases and health risks associated with the dangers of asbestos. It’s important to know exactly what those risks are. If you think your home may have been exposed to asbestos, you should consider contracting a professional asbestos removal service. If you are unsure if the fixtures in your home contain asbestos you can also hire companies to do asbestos testing or you can look into asbestos abatement if you’re planning on remodeling your home. 

Diseases Associated With Asbestos

It is estimated that roughly 10,000 people die annually from asbestos related diseases. These diseases are mainly caused when asbestos fibers are released into due to the asbestos being friable. Friable means that the asbestos containing materials, such as tiles or a ceiling, are easy to crumble. The fibers released from this crumbling can be 18,000 times thinner than human hair, making them hard to detect. That’s why these asbestos fibers become exposed mainly during remodeling or deterioration. It’s recommended to do asbestos testing and abatement is necessary when you plan to remodel your home to reduce the dangers of asbestos.

The Top 3 Dangers of Asbestos

There are three main diseases that are associated with the dangers of asbestos.

• Asbestosis: This is a non-cancerous respiratory disease caused when inhaling asbestos leads to scarring in the lungs. Severe cases can lead to cardiac failure and there’s no real way to treat it. This disease is mainly a risk to people who regularly work in construction for asbestos-containing buildings.
• Lung Cancer: People who regularly smoke can have a much higher risk of lung cancer when they work around asbestos. The common symptoms of lung cancer and coughing and a change of breathing.
• Mesothelioma: This is a rare form of lung cancer that affects the thin membrane lining of the lungs. About 3,000 people are diagnosed annually in the U.S. with mesothelioma.

These are the main diseases associated with asbestos, but it can also cause other cancers such as esophagus, stomach, or kidney cancer when the asbestos is ingested.

How to Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Asbestos

There are certain determining factors that can lead to a higher chance of getting asbestos-related diseases such as your age, the amount of exposure you have to the dangers of asbestos, and whether or not you smoke. Someone who is regularly exposed to the dangers of asbestos will have a higher chance of contracting the aforementioned diseases. 

That’s why you should get in contact with a professional asbestos removal service if you think your household may be at risk for asbestos exposure. ABC Environmental Contracting Services offers asbestos testing and abatement services along with removal. Contact ABC Environmental Contracting Services at 314-582-3748 to get a free quote

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