The health issues surrounding asbestos affect just about everyone – not just professionals who work in the construction or mining industry! Many people think that asbestos is no longer a threat to our health, but they are very wrong. Asbestos may be found in over 35 million U.S. residences within insulation, drywall, plaster, stucco, roofing tiles, and floor and ceiling tiles. If homeowners are exposed to asbestos, they may eventually develop pleural mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer associated with previous asbestos contact.
Prior to 1980, when asbestos-related regulations were first implemented, asbestos-containing materials were extremely popular due to their excellent insulating abilities. At the time, the serious health risks associated with asbestos were unknown. People were also not aware that tiny asbestos fibers could become airborne if asbestos-containing materials were disturbed or damaged by fire, water, or renovation projects, putting individuals at risk for inhalation.
What makes asbestos so dangerous? If inhaled, small asbestos fibers, which have a claw-like composition, can cling to the pleural lining of the lungs for up to fifty years before an individual may begin to suffer from common mesothelioma symptoms, including breathing difficulties, chronic cough and the presence of fluid within the lungs. An individual who is diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer will generally succumb to this incredibly aggressive disease in less than two years following their initial diagnosis, and the survival rate associated with mesothelioma is less than one percent. There is no cure, but there are various mesothelioma treatment options that can control the disease and improve the quality of life for a period of time.
Everyone should understand the dangers of asbestos exposure, including homeowners, teachers, military veterans, and professionals working in a variety of industries, including firefighters, home inspectors, and oil refinery workers. Mesothelioma is 100% fatal, but 100% avoidable.
The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is the web’s leading resource for information related to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, top doctors, and more. Please visit the MAA Center website at www.maacenter.org.