Asbestos Hazards And Control Measures
Over the centuries, asbestos has been a common material used in building constructions, installations, and as a friction material. The reason for its wide usage can be traced to its properties- high tensile strengths, its heat and chemical resistance.
In the construction industry, asbestos has been widely used in making variety of building materials. These materials includes asbestos pipes, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and fire-resistance structures. These uses have largely increase our susceptibility to the hazards associated with asbestos use.
It is recognized that asbestos is capable of releasing harmful fibers into the environments as a result of unavoidable wear and tear and when they are disturbed.
The fibers from asbestos gain access into the body through several means. The airborne dust can be inhaled, ingestion of asbestos fibers can occur when there is drinking of fiber contaminated water; it can also settle on the skin leading to a chronic disease.
These various ways in which we are exposed to asbestos have been investigated to account for a wide range of diseases, they include: lung cancer, asbestosis and malignant mesotheioma. The long latency periods of these disease shows how deadly they are.
The motive of this article is to discuss reasonably, the Asbestos Related Diseases that is common in our modern world, while prominence is given to the preventive measures that can fitly be used to lower risk of exposures.
**Asbestos Related Diseased **
This part will draw attention to the most common types of asbestos related diseases that plagues us today.
- Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure has been recorded to take up about 4 percent of the cases of lung cancer. Yearly, more Americans dies as a result of asbestos related lung cancer. The symptoms includes shortening of breathing, coughing up blood and chest pain.
This disease may develop after about 15-35 years of exposure to asbestos. The prognosis solely depends on the level.
- Asbestosis
This is the second type of asbestos related diseases that is common today. It is the long term inflammation of the lungs as a result of asbestos exposure.
The complications as well may include the pulmonary heart disease. Asbestosis is caused when asbestos fibers are breathed in. The symptoms also include shortness of breathe, wheezing and chest pain.
- Malignant Mesothelioma
This is a very rare cancer that developed as a result of the forming of asbestos fiber on the lining of the lungs and abdomen. The symptoms also includes swollen abdomen, cough, fatigue, weight loss, and chest pain.
After discussing the three common asbestos related diseases, it is imperative to discuss the preventive measures.
**Asbestos Control Measures **
Because asbestos is still often found around us, educating oneself about the safety involved is paramount.
Managing the risks commonly associated with asbestos exposure involves following simple approaches.
- Prevention at Work
The preventive measures to be adopted at the work place includes:
Discuss asbestos hazards with workers: Good communication will alert workers about the dangers.
Adopt the use of proper work practises: This entails the use of proper controls, and safety materials when handling asbestos.
*Provide Respiratory Protection: Offer to give workers respiratory protective equipments when you have identified that the exposure limits have been exceeded.
*Medical Surveillance Provision: This will ensure that workers that have been exposed to asbestos are placed under medical scrutiny to monitor their health, and check if there are changes.
Leave Work Clothes at Work Place: Clothes that were used in handling asbestos may have been contaminated. So, never bring the home. Leave them at work.
Handle Asbestos Debris Properly: Never sweep or dust asbestos debris, doing that will increase your exposure to the asbestos fibers.
Preventions to be Practised at Home
Since many homes today have asbestos used for ceiling tiles. It is great to note key ways to safeguard your household. Fact is, if asbestos are left undisturbed, they have very minute risk to you and family members.
When it comes to repair stage, and disturbing worn out part, these instructions are to be followed.
Avoid DIY on Asbestos: Do not try Do it yourself renovations on asbestos. You may lack adequate understanding about how to properly handle it.
Constantly Check Wears In Asbestos: Constantly check in for signs of wears in your home. As asbestos wears, there is a higher percentage of dust emanating from that area.
*Seek Professional Help: Never try to remove asbestos from an area without the help of professionals. They have been fully equipped.
*Ask Questions: Make inquiries. Ask home inspector or an estate agent to confirm if there are asbestos in the home.
Government houses, hotels, and other commercial buildings, are public places where the same asbestos that is found in your home is being used too. They were also used in building these apartments.
Fortunately, government organizations like Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) have rules and regulations that protects the health of people in these building.
Therefore, there are standards set aside that building owners must meet to begin its use. In schools for example, EPA helps students to be safe from asbestos containing materials. Asbestos Hazards Emergency Act urges every schools to check if there are asbestos containing materials, and must reduce the risk involved.
Conclusions
Yes, there might be some people who have been exposed to asbestos, and there are no significant changes in their health or in other words, they have not developed asbestos related diseases.
You have to know that asbestos related diseases such as the one mentioned in this article arises 15- 50 years after initial exposure. Therefore what can be done?
You have to keep reviewing your health, always maintain a healthy balance diet, get a mesothelioma blood test, and discuss with your doctor about regular medical test. Ensure you are conscious about changes in your health.
Conclusively, if these preventive measure are boldly practised, you will not have to worry about asbestos related diseases.
Reference : https://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer
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