Asbestos Hazards

The biggest problem with asbestos and the reason why the different forms are considered hazards is because of the ability of asbestos to break up into tiny airborne fibers and can get inhaled by the lungs, swallowed and enter the gut.

It isn't known if there is a 'safe' level of asbestos exposure like we know what the 'safe' level of certain pesticides are. The problem is that the 'latency period' of many asbestos related diseases is often as long as 40 years in some cases, meaning it will take that long from exposure to actually developing the disease. There is a general concensus that the longer the duration of exposure, the more likely that asbestos related diseases will appear later on in life.

Now that asbestos has been classified and added to the occupational hazards list, certain laws have been put in place to ensure that workers that are exposed to asbestos fibers at their workplace are adequately protected and have regular medical check ups to clear them of asbestos related disease symptoms.

There are 3 general health conditions that are asbestos related :

  1. asbestosis : asbestos when inhaled causes a reaction in the lungs because the body attempts to get rid of it by secreting acid. This acid in the lungs causes severe scarring and some people have so much that there isn't any functional lung tissue left to survive.
  2. mesothelioma : a cancer of the mesothelial lining of the lungs or heart or the abdomen. Why this form of cancer stands out is that it's only known cause is asbestos exposure therefore it is a health condition that is wholly related to asbestos alone.
  3. asbestos lung cancer : this is a cancer of the actual lung tissue (not the mesothelial lining as in mesothelioma). There are other causes of lung cancer and whilst asbestos can be a predisposing cause, smoking increases the likelihood of lung cancer by 50%.

Asbestos is really only a hazard when the fibers come lose and become airborne. Fact is, if you maintain asbestos materials in good condition, they are supposedly quite safe and it is recommended that you leave it alone with regular monitoring performed. Having said that, I don't believe having asbestos lying around, no matter how 'good' the quality is any reassurance. For your own health's sake, it's best to contact the relevant authorities and remove it as soon as is feasible - health hazards like asbestos is not to be fooled with.

Read more about

Asbestos hazards