Asbestos Exposure: Are You At Risk?Asbestos exposure is widespread. Exposure to asbestos can happen at work, at home, in school, in the military, and outdoors. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral with heat-resistant qualities, was used massively in buildings and machinery until it became associated with lung diseases and fatal cancers like mesothelioma.
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After several decades of controversy and litigation, it is now regulated in many developed countries. It forms microscopic airborne particles Asbestos is light and easily breaks into microscopic particles. It creates a dust that floats in the air for long periods of time. When inhaled, the dust particles travel to the lungs and in some cases to the mesothelial lining around the lungs. The asbestos dust particles are too small and too many to be removed. Acting like microscopic shrapnel, they damage cells, creating a time bomb of biochemical events that can eventually lead to scarring, cancer, metastasis, and death. Asbestos medical research not only seeks new treatments, but also studies how to slow down the progression of asbestos cancers (such as green tea asbestos health research). It has been used in up to 5000 common products Asbestos exposure can occur with products including: building insulation in older homes, schools, and offices machinery insulation auto and truck brake pads contaminated vermiculite for gardening domestic and military shipbuilding and maintenance construction materials including drywall sheet rock, floor tile, ceiling tile, roofing felt and shingles, caulking, adhesives, and more art supplies home equipment and supplies including older hair dryers, electric blankets, kitchen appliances, fireproof safes, barbecue gloves, pipe insulation, wallboard, and more packing materials decorative fireplace logs talc and talc-containing cosmetics dust-contaminated work clothing among others. Domestic or imported? While U.S. laws may regulate the manufacture of these products using asbestos, many products may be imported with fewer regulations or with lower standards. Here's a list of mesothelioma related occupations where you might have been exposed to asbestos.
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