Asbestos-related diseases aren’t something that one would be impacted by suddenly. Usually, asbestos-related symptoms and diseases develop over years or decades, so it is hard to pinpoint exactly when the asbestos exposure happened.
Often times people are unaware of how some normal coughs can be much more sinister.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos in the workplace, and asbestos-related diseases cause more than 107,000 deaths each year.
It can take many years, or maybe even decades, for asbestos symptoms to show up in a person. Especially because it is hard to identify whether you are affected by asbestos without a proper lab or medical test.
Due to this delay, it is quite impossible to figure out in which part of your life you would be affected by asbestos exposure.
In this blog, we will guide you on how asbestos can affect your health, what the symptoms are, and what diseases are caused by it, as well as advise you on how to protect yourself from asbestos exposure.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of minerals that have long and thin fibers. Their fibers can be easily inhaled or ingested by the person exposed to them. When inside a person’s body, asbestos can become trapped in the lungs or other organs.
Exposure to asbestos can occur when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, causing the fibers to become airborne.
Asbestos was once commonly used in a variety of building materials, including insulation, ceiling, and floor tiles. Ever since asbestos was found to be deadly, governments around the world have put a ban on it.
While the use of asbestos has been made illegal or limited in many countries, it can still be found in some older buildings.
However, some of you might never know what asbestos fibers look like or what asbestos-containing materials are. The answer to it is rather simple, by gaining sufficient knowledge on asbestos you can figure out how you may encounter it in your daily life.
By taking educational courses, gaining knowledge, or carrying out a risk assessment, all these processes would allow you to be aware of asbestos-containing materials around you.
Especially, if you are an electrician or a plumber, it is important that you carry out an asbestos risk assessment before beginning any of your tasks, as you never know when you might be exposed to it.
Asbestos-related deaths
Asbestos has been the cause of more than 5,000 deaths around the world annually. This figure continues to rise, but with countries putting a ban on asbestos, it is expected to start falling in the following decades.
When these asbestos materials are disturbed, tiny, invisible-to-the-eye asbestos fibers are released, which are easy to breathe in and can easily enter the lungs. These fibers are strong and razor-sharp. The human body cannot break them down because they become hooked inside the lungs.
These asbestos fibers can be harmful and frequently have fatal effects.
Asbestos is a substance that causes cancer in all its forms. Any substance directly linked to the development of cancer is considered a carcinogen. It is well known that asbestos is a dangerous and cancer-causing substance.
After exposure, a number of diseases connected to asbestos can show up. These primarily aim for the lungs.
Asbestos-related diseases
Exposure to asbestos can cause a number of serious health problems, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Asbestos can cause lung diseases as well as respiratory problems. If swallowed by mistake, asbestos can cause cancer in the bowels. Asbestos fibers that get stuck in the soft tissues of the eyes can irritate them.
Pleural Plaques
It all starts with this disease. With pleural plaques being one of the first signs of trouble. Over the years, when asbestos fibers get stuck in your lung tissues, your body reacts to them, and the lung tissues thicken around the asbestos fibers.
This thickening of the lung lining is a sign that asbestos fibers have settled in the body and warns of the possibility of developing more severe asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestosis
This is the disease that is caused by asbestos. ‘Osis’ refers to disease, and as the name suggests, asbestosis is the disease caused by asbestos exposure.
As the asbestos fibers are inhaled by a person, these fibers scar the lungs of the person, causing asbestosis. This is a sign that, if not treated, a more serious disease may develop in the future. Symptoms of asbestosis can include shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry cough.
While there is no cure for asbestosis, treatment options may include medications, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Lung Cancer
As you may be aware, asbestos mostly causes respiratory-related problems. Lung cancer is another serious health problem that can be caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs, causing inflammation and damage to the cells.
This damage can eventually lead to lung cancer.
Mesothelioma
Probably one of the most famous asbestos diseases is known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos fibers can be so sharp and small; they can go deep into lung tissues.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. Mesothelioma is fatal and is responsible for around 2,500 deaths each year in the United Kingdom.
Asbestos symptoms
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the asbestos-related diseases that we have mentioned in this blog. That’s why the biggest cure for asbestos diseases is prevention. Prevention is the best cure for diseases.
Here are some of the common (and unpleasant) symptoms that a person can develop after asbestos exposure.
- Breath shortness
- Coughing
- Inflammation
- Scarring of certain areas
- Breathing problems
- Sharp stabbing pains on inhaling
- Blood coughing
- Chest pain
- Permanent scarring
- Reduced lung capacity
- Lung cancer
Asbestos mostly affects the lungs upon inhalation, so it is obvious that it would make breathing difficult and painful.
Although you won’t get these symptoms right away, asbestos-related diseases take years, or even decades, to develop. Usually, the most asbestos you are exposed to, the higher your risk of developing these asbestos-related diseases.
Avoiding asbestos inhalation
Those at the highest risk of asbestos exposure are the workers, such as plumbers or electricians, who often disturb existing building materials as a part of their job.
But you can also develop asbestos-related diseases from a single exposure, especially when you are exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers.
You never know when you might encounter asbestos in your life, most importantly if you work as an electrician or a plumber. It is important to be aware of asbestos and how to handle such hazards. The only solution to your asbestos problem could be sufficient training.
Educational courses like asbestos awareness training allow an individual to gain knowledge of how to properly handle asbestos contains material and how to protect themselves, ensuring their own well-being.
Appropriate training allows you to be competent in your job while ensuring your own well-being. Identifying asbestos-containing materials is the key step, and training would help teach you all you need. Remember! Prevention is the best cure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, asbestos exposure can have a significant impact on your health, potentially leading to serious and even fatal diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. It is crucial to take all necessary precautions to minimize your risk of exposure, especially if you work in an industry where asbestos may be present.
By wearing protective gear, following proper safety protocols, and seeking medical attention if you experience any symptoms of asbestos exposure, you can help protect yourself and those around you from the devastating effects of asbestos-related diseases.
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to asbestos exposure, and taking action now could make all the difference in your future health and well-being.