Why Is Friable Asbestos Dangerous?
When friable, asbestos fibers are readily dispersed in the environment. If someone breathes these fibers, they can damage the lungs, resulting in cancer. In addition, exposure to asbestos has been shown to be the leading causal factor of mesothelioma, an unusual and almost always deadly disease of the mesothelium, which is the lining between the lungs and the chest cavity. Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma are linked to the ingestion of fibers of asbestos, which is likely when microscopic particles are released into the air and land on food or in drinks. Because research yielded more knowledge of asbestos’ serious effects on human health, people today benefit from the protection offered by stringent guidelines regulating the use of asbestos. When most oil refineries were first operating, however, asbestos was more prevalent. Before present-day safety regulations were put into place, employees often labored without protective equipment in environments where asbestos particles fill
