Taking A Look At Asbestos Exposure And The Risks Associated With It
The products that contain asbestos and their methods of use have been in existence since mining and commercial production first started in the 1800s; however, in the 1970s, the first laws concerning products that contained asbestos were passed, thus banning products that allowed asbestos fibers to escape into the environment. In the 1980s, new laws stopped the development of new products that contained asbestos. With those laws, the popularity of asbestos products began slipping for the first time since World War II. Even though legislation was aimed at reducing asbestos exposure, many members of the public remain unaware of the risks associated with exposure to this substance.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in fiber bundles, and the bundles can be separated into individual fibers. Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemicals, and they do not conduct electricity. With those characteristics, products containing asbestos were a perfect fit for many construction and manufacturing industries. Asbestos products include brake shoes and clutch pads for automobiles, insulation for boilers and steam pipes on ships, and strengthening agents for cement and talc-based crayons. In the construction industry, asbestos fibers are used in ceiling tiles, paint that is lead based, plastics, adhesives, soundproofing material and insulation. As long as the fibers are encased and contained, with little chance of exposure under normal conditions, all of these uses are legal.
As the number of asbestos cases grows and are publicized, people are becoming more aware of the health risks inherent in asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma, cancer of the lining around the body’s organs, has become a common household word, despite having once been considered a very rare form of cancer. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart, are the most common forms of mesothelioma. The cancer cannot currently be treated with conventional cancer therapy, making it fatal in nearly every case.
It seems strange to some that asbestos exposure has only recently been given the status of being a recognized health hazard in certain occupations, especially given the centuries of asbestos use. The delay in adding asbestos to the list came from the difficulty in connecting asbestos to related diseases. Since it can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years for symptoms to appear, those exposed to asbestos aged considerably before they ever grew ill. Despite the growing number of asbestos cases, asbestos remains a legal product as long as manufacturers adhere to all established safety standards.
