subject: Know The Symptoms Of Asbestos Exposure [print this page] Thanks to these characteristics, it became very widely used in the construction industry. Asbestos was formerly used to make plastic materials stronger, and was also mixed into cement to help produce stronger and more flame-resistant building materials. Aside from the construction industry, asbestos has also been widely used for the manufacture of insulation materials. Workers in the auto and shipping industries may also have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work before the EPA finally banned it for most uses in 1991.
Injures from Prolonged Asbestos Exposure
Prolonged exposure to asbestos causes various health concerns. Workers are not the only ones who suffer consequences or symptoms from prolonged exposure to such a substance. Asbestos has also been known to affect the people that workers immediately come in contact with, such as the family and friends. Several of the diseases that are well-known diseases associated with continued exposure to asbestos include asbestosis and the otherwise rare form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of Exposure to Asbestos
Symptoms of asbestos exposure will develop gradually after years of exposure. Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer of the thin membranes surrounding the lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelioma is very rare, and appears to occur only in populations and individuals exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is the only known risk factor of malignant mesothelioma. Here are some of the known symptoms or conditions that may result from asbestos exposure:
Anemia,
Build-up of scar like tissue in the place of a healthy,
Cardiovascular problems,
Difficulty in breathing,
Difficulty in swallowing,
Dry, crackling sound while breathing,
Emphysema,
Increased risk of developing lung cancer,
Inflammation of the lung tissue,
Loss of appetite,
Pulmonary hypertension,
Shortness of breath,
Swelling of the face or neck, and
Unexplained weight loss.
If asbestos is suspected to be found in your workplace or in your building, your company or the building owner, will have to be informed properly to ensure the safety of the individuals in that building. An expert in the abatement of asbestos should be consulted in order to inspect and perform maintenance procedures.
