Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral found in the ground and mined
all over the world. It is so small it can only be identified under a microscope.
In the past, asbestos was added to various products such as insulation to
increase fire resistant properties.
Asbestos exposure, especially of an extended duration, has been linked to
mesothelioma and other health problems, including lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a
rare form of cancer that affects cells in the lining of the chest and abdomen.
The tissues in these areas are called the mesothelium, and they produce a
lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move easily and without irritation
or injury in the torso cavity.
Asbestos fibers attach themselves to the lining of the lungs or other parts of
the respiratory tract and remain there indefinitely. Asbestos is most dangerous
when it is airborne. The fibers are small and light and can stay afloat for a
long time and can travel great distances from their source. Since asbestos
fibers are microscopic and airborne, people can breathe in asbestos fibers for
many years without realizing it. Workers in environments in which construction
materials, especially insulation, are handled are at greatest risk. Starting in
the 1940s, workers, unaware of the danger, regularly handled and were exposed to
large amounts of asbestos, often for long durations. Trades that involved
especially high levels of exposure included asbestos production related fields
like mining, milling, asbestos tile manufacture, and the manufacture of products
that used asbestos. Other industries with high levels of possible exposure
included shipbuilding, construction, car
repair, and any form of demolition. Today, worker’s exposure to asbestos has
been reduced due to government regulations. Still, however, demolition workers
are at risk when they disturb antiquated materials that contain asbestos in
older structures. It can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years for symptoms of an
asbestos related disease to surface.
Critics have charged that asbestos manufacturers knew of the dangers of
asbestos exposure many years before alerting the public of potential health
risks. Despite the dangers associated with asbestos, the substance can still be
found in thousands of products today. Because of its airborne mobility, its
microscopic size and harmful properties, professional assistance is required to
remove asbestos. There are professional abatement services that will remove
asbestos from homes or other buildings. Asbestos is most harmful when the
structure containing it is disturbed, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.
Some observers contend that asbestos product liability lawsuits have resulted
in over $100 billion in claims and bankrupted over 100 companies.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]