Asbestos Risk

Asbestos risk is something that needs to be seriously considered. The first factor that you should consider is how much asbestos was in the air you breathed. The next factor to be considered is how long a time were you exposed. The more asbestos you breathe in the greater your risk of getting an asbestos- related disease such as Asbestosis or Mesothelioma. Some people are not very susceptible to asbestos. It is highly believed that cigarette smoking gives increased susceptibility to persons exposed to asbestos.

Family members living with exposed workers are also at risk due to asbestos fibers being brought home on clothing, skin and hair. The collapse and clean-up of the North Tower of the World Trade Center released hundreds of tons of asbestos into the air, as asbestos was heavily used in its construction. Thousands of people including clean-up workers and first responders were exposed.

Asbestos fibers can cause normal cells to turn malignant and these malignant cells spread. Asbestosis is a lung disease which causes pleural plaque (membranes surrounding the lungs) and also causes thickening of the Pleural. This causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing and eventually scars the lungs.

Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water and soil; but most people do not get the disease from this small amount of exposure, although no asbestos exposure is safe. Asbestos risk is much higher in workers who are exposed to it regularly in their occupations, some of which include workers in mines, chemical plants, shipyards, oil refineries, power plants, automotive workers and construction sites. Exposure is not limited to the home or work place. There is also risk of exposure in schools and public buildings that are in need of repair.

Usually symptoms of asbestos exposure take many years to appear such as 10-40 years. However, no matter how soon after exposure, you should check with your doctor when any of the symptoms first appear.

Another asbestos risk is that of developing Mesothelioma, which is used to describe cancerous tumors involving the lining of the lungs, heart or stomach. This is a very serious disease. Therefore, you need to be aware of the symptoms and talk to your doctor about your concerns.

If your family member is the one with the asbestos risk, then you need to learn all the factors. You need to be the one to take action now, the sooner the better my friend.