Why Is The Asbestos in Gas Masks Harmful?
Asbestos consists of fibres which when inhaled into the lungs can lead to asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The minute fibers are capable of stimulating chronic inflammatory responses in the pleura, (cavity that surrounds the lungs) and inducing an array of cellular responses, such as interfering with the mesothelial cells, and damaging DNA that regulates cell division. World War II gas masks were manufactured using two types of asbestos – ‘crocidolite’ (blue asbestos) and chrysotile (white asbestos). Blue asbestos is considered to be deadlier than white asbestos, but the carcinogenic risk from white asbestos classifies it as a number 1 human carcinogen, as there is sufficient clinical evidence of asbestos related disease among people that have had exposure to it.
