Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Asbestos: A Natural but Hazardous Mineral

By Waylon Aberstand

Most people who are born 40 years ago may define asbestos as a substance that is man-made and dangerous to the public health. This is slightly untrue because asbestos is not made by factories but it can definitely cause serious illnesses to human beings.

Asbestos is not man-made substance but a naturally-occurring mineral found in almost all continents around the world. It is still mined in several countries like Canada and Russia. Other countries have completely banned the mining of asbestos due to its lethal effects to humans.

Asbestos is a group of highly-fibrous and naturally-occurring silicate mineral with long and thin fibrous crystals. Two types of asbestos: serpentine and amphibole. Chrysotile, a serpentine type, is the only one mined on a large-scale.

How Does Asbestos Cause Problems to Health?

When fibers and dust from asbestos were inhaled, they remain inside the body and penetrate tissues to create a build-up that can cause development of severe health problems. Fibers that are lodged in the body will cause inflammation that may turn to malignant tumors; particularly on the mesothelium or the membrane that surrounds the lungs, abdomen, and the heart. Other diseases may include asbestosis and several types of cancer: lung, throat, esophagus, gallbladder, kidneys, intestines, and colon.

Risk of Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos is hazardous to health when exposed to it for long periods of time. Frequently used products that contain asbestos include: vinyl flooring, brake shores, caulk, building insulation, textiles, cement, roofing tiles, ceiling tiles, and many more. However, people who work in places where asbestos fibers may be airborne at all times are more likely to develop asbestos-related diseases.

High-risk jobs may include: construction and building, shipbuilding, demolition, dry-walling, firefighting, textiles, and auto brake repair

Symptoms of Diseases Caused by Asbestos

Symptoms of illnesses related to asbestos typically appear after many decades, about 30 to 50 years or so. Depending on the spread and condition of the disease, symptoms may include: chest pain, swelling, coughing, hoarseness, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. People who develop any of these symptoms and have history of asbestos exposure must seek medical help immediately.

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