What is Asbestosis?
Most people have heard of asbestos and know it is a dangerous substance, but detailed information is less widespread. Asbestos is a fire-resistant and naturally occurring mineral that people have been using in a variety of ways for thousands of years. Its name is derived from the Greek word meaning inextinguishable. The Stability of asbestos is all the more because of its previous popularity, although its dangers outweigh its benefits.
Asbestos Dangers
Asbestos is composed of many long, thin crystalline fibers. The danger lies in the fact that these fibers can be broken and carried by the wind when asbestos is handled or displaced. Some of these fragments can be very small to detect without modern technology, which means that people may be in danger of inhaling them without knowing it.
Although very small, these fibers are strong, sharp, and very harmful to human tissue. When inhaled, they can lodge in the lungs, causing irritation that over time can become much more serious health problems. Victims of asbestos exposure may develop a chronic lung disease known as asbestosis, or malignant cancers such as Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer.
Asbestos Uses
The versatility of asbestos and its ability to resist fire, chemicals, and wear has made it popular for many uses over the years. A few examples of the history of asbestos include:
- The creation of clothing, tablecloths and other textiles
- The insulation of buildings
- Mechanical parts, including brake pads and clutch discs
- Filters for cigarettes
- The lining of pipes and engine parts
The asbestos bond to the deadly lung cancer was observed by researchers for many years, dating to Pliny the Elder of ancient Greece. Tragically, the evidence was largely ignored until the 1970s, when US lawmakers (Mesothelioma Lawyer) finally began to address the problem of Asbestos Related Diseases. By then, millions of people had already been exposed to the toxic substance, often if they knew the dangers.
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