What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?
Scientists around the world have demonstrated the links between exposure to asbestos and four serious diseases: lung cancer, mesothelioma, digestive system cancer, and asbestosis. LUNG CANCER: Asbestos-exposed people are about 5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-exposed people. Asbestos and cigarettes are a particularly deadly combination. If a person exposed to asbestos also smokes, his or her chance of getting lung cancer increases dramatically to 50 times that of a non-smoking, non-asbestos exposed person. If you have been exposed to asbestos, the first thing you should do to decrease your risk of getting lung cancer is stop smoking. MESOTHELIOMA: Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs or of the abdominal cavity. This is a very rare cancer that is almost always associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma has become a major public health concern because this disease can occur after very brief or very low exposures to asbestos. Cases of mesothelioma ha
Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing illness from asbestos exposure.
There are three exposure routes for asbestos fibers: (1) inhalation via the respiratory system (2) ingestion via the mouth associated with asbestos fibers in drinking water and (3) skin contact. Asbestos has been known to cause a number of disabling and fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and pleural plaques. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos; therefore, all exposure to asbestos should be avoided.
Exposure to asbestos does not necessarily mean that a person will become ill as a result of the exposure. Breathing in asbestos fibers that can be released from asbestos-contaminated vermiculite may increase a person’s likelihood of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the outer lining of the lungs and/or abdominal cavity), lung abnormalities and breathing disorders. Repeated and prolonged exposure to high levels of asbestos increases the chances of developing these diseases. What should I do if I have been exposed to asbestos? People who have been exposed to asbestos can limit their chances of future illness if they try to prevent further exposure to asbestos and they do not smoke. The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure greatly increases the likelihood of more serious health problems, such as lung cancer. What is vermiculite? Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral (minerals are the ‘building blocks’ of rocks) composed of shiny flakes that resemble mica. Hi
