Asbestos and lung cancer, yes it is true that
asbestos is a major reason for the cause of this deadly disease.
Before we analyze the interrelationship between asbestos and
lung cancer it is necessary to understand what is asbestos
and what are its health implications.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the form of bundled
fibers. Asbestos fibers are heat and chemical resistant and
are poor conductor of electricity. These qualities make it
fit for commercial use. Industries use four types of Asbestos:
Chrysolite or white asbestos,
Crocidolite or blue asbestos,
Anthophyllite or gray colored fibers and
Amosite or brown colored fibers.
These asbestos fibers break into tiny dust
particles andare thus easily inhaled or swallowed which can
cause serious health disorders. Lung cancer caused from asbestos
is one such example.
Health Hazards of Asbestos
Regular exposure to asbestos can result in several serious
diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma cancers and asbestosis.
Asbestosis is as lung disease that produces shortness of breath,
coughing and permanent damage to lungs and Mesothelioma-a
rare cancer of membrane covering the chest and abdomen, and
cancers of larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract and
kidney.
Regular exposure of asbestos results in occupational diseases
such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Since 1940, millions
of American workers, working in shipbuilding companies, mining
and milling of asbestos, manufacturing of asbestos textiles
and other asbestos products, insulation in construction and
building trades, and brake repair were exposed to asbestos.
Demolition workers, drywall removers and firefighters
are also at risk of being exposed to asbestos that may cause
lung cancer in them. Due to stringent norms and improved work
practices, todays workers face negligible risks of lung cancer
from asbestos.
Although heavier and longer exposure time is
held responsible for the risk but investigators found that
brief exposures could also lead to infection. Not only the
workers but also their families are at risk of asbestos diseases
and lung cancer. Para occupational exposure occurs because
asbestos fibers are brought into the house by means of shoes,
clothing, skin and hair of workers. To avoid this exposure
workers are required to take shower and change their clothing
before leaving their workplace.
The difficult portion of asbestos related diseases and asbestos
related lung cancer is that they can lie dormant in the body
for 10-40 years before manifesting. This makes it difficult
to diagnose the disease in its early stages. When the diseases
are manifested and diagnosed, it is too late and chances of
survival of victims are very bleak.
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma
specialist from Nashville, TN.
Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org
for information on asbestos reform,
mesothelioma lawsuit
news, and more.
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