Naturally occurring asbestos is only a health problem if it is disturbed. Asbestos is made up of fibers that are so small you cannot see them. If asbestos fibers are in the air you breathe, you might get asbestos fibers in your lungs. Breathing in the fibers is the primary way that people are exposed to asbestos. More information about asbestos and health and limiting exposures to naturally occurring asbestos is found at basic information about naturally occurring asbestos.
Fairfax County, Virginia has developed procedures for maintaining safe working conditions on construction sites in areas of naturally occurring asbestos and to prevent migration of asbestos laden dust off these sites naturally occurring asbestos in Fairfax County External. Naturally Occurring Asbestos. Section Navigation. Healthcare providers usually identify the possibility of asbestos exposure and related health conditions like lung disease by taking a thorough medical history.
After a doctor suspects an asbestos-related health condition, he or she can use a number of tools to help make the actual diagnosis.
Some of these tools are physical examination, chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist who treats diseases caused by asbestos. Learn what to do to protect your family. Skip to main content. Related Topics: Asbestos. Unfortunately, the result was banning only new uses of the carcinogen. Uses of asbestos prior to remained legal. Consumer Product Safety Commision in the s banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching and gas fireplaces.
Around this same time, asbestos was removed from electric hair dryers. In the early s, crayon manufacturers refined their recipes when asbestos was discovered in their crayons.
During this timespan, the EPA also expressed concern about asbestos contamination in gardening products containing vermiculite. Recently, traces of asbestos have been found in cosmetic products that include talc powder such as baby powder, makeup and blush.
In April , the EPA established new regulations for asbestos. The slightest touch or breath from a person can loosen one or many of these fibers, which is how asbestos can cause cancer.
Anyone near loose, airborne asbestos fibers can inhale or swallow them without even realizing. The fibers can travel through the body and reach the lung cavity or the abdominal cavity. The lung cavity is protected by a thin layer of tissue called the pleura. The abdominal cavity includes a similar layer, called the peritoneum. These two layers are where mesothelioma almost always forms.
When asbestos fibers reach either of these two layers, it can aggravate cells by lodging into the tissue lining with its sharp edges. This irritation causes the cells to change genetically, which leads to mutation and eventually the cancer known as mesothelioma.
If you have this disease, we can provide you with more information and evidence about how asbestos is the cause. Our free Complete Mesothelioma Guide book is full of data and statistics regarding asbestos, its use in the United States, and what you can do if you have an asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos can break apart, making it easy to inhale or swallow. Each fiber is sharp enough to irritate and damage tissue cells, which is how asbestos causes cancer. During most of the 20th century, many industries implemented asbestos into products to protect from fires or overheating. Construction, insulation and electrical work involved coating wires, tiles, wallboards and pipes with asbestos mixtures. Today, asbestos is used in the chlor-alkali industry, which produces the chemicals chlorine and sodium hydroxide.
Asbestos is not illegal in the United States, despite efforts from activist groups to outlaw the substance. The Environmental Protection Agency has loose regulations regarding which companies can use asbestos, but most have found alternatives due to mounting legal claims against manufacturers.
Asbestos is illegal in more than 60 countries. See a doctor if you notice any symptoms of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. These signs include difficulty breathing, chest pain, fluid buildup near your lungs or stomach, and weight loss. Most people remain healthy after exposure to asbestos. Compensation is available if you developed an asbestos-related disease and can pinpoint how you were exposed. Not many people can trace back their work and residential histories to determine this on their own.
We recommend speaking with an asbestos lawyer to uncover the cause of your cancer and learn who is responsible. Home Mesothelioma. Free Mesothelioma Guide Get the complete guide to fighting mesothelioma. In our free guide you will learn about: Top treatments for your diagnosis How you can live longer Learn More.
Top Mesothelioma Doctors Dr. Abraham "Avi" Lebenthal Dr. Raphael Bueno Dr. Get Connected with Clinical Trials Many patients have improved their prognosis and even beat their mesothelioma through clinical trials. Clinical trials can provide : Exclusive access to promising new procedures One-on-one care from leading mesothelioma specialists Get Connected Now. Amorphous silica fabric Amorphous silica fabric is a high-quality cloth woven from nearly pure amorphous silica fibers.
Like asbestos, the fibers do not rot or burn. Cellulose fiber Cellulose fiber is typically made from cotton, wood pulp, linen or shredded paper that is chemically treated to enhance it properties. Thermoset plastic flour Thermoset plastic flour is made of a mixture of wood fibers and binders, such as egg or gelatin, which is hardened and then finely ground. Asbestos Cover-Up The history of asbestos extends back to ancient times, but in the U. Phasing Out Asbestos However, the publication of new information about asbestos and medical evidence linking the mineral to cancer could no longer be ignored.
Timeline Late s Asbestos mining became a major industry to supply fibers for industrial products. Asbestos companies quietly researched health effects and kept results hidden. Johns Manville settles 11 asbestosis lawsuits. Medical studies confirm asbestos causes mesothelioma. An asbestos insulator won the first major asbestos lawsuit. Asbestos Lawsuits Asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the diseases their products cause because they covered up evidence of the health effects of asbestos and continued exposing workers and consumers.
Get The Compensation You Deserve An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you and your family through the entire legal process. Connect with a mesothelioma lawyer today. Find a Top Mesothelioma Attorney. Common Questions About Asbestos. What do I need to know about asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma? Asbestos refers to a group of fibrous minerals used to strengthen and fireproof materials.
When inhaled over long periods of time, asbestos fibers become trapped in the body and cause diseases such as mesothelioma , lung cancer and asbestosis. More than 50 other countries have banned the use of asbestos, but its use remains legal in the U. Hiring an asbestos abatement company to remove asbestos from residential and commercial buildings is the safest decision to keep yourself and others safe.
Compensation is available for those who have been exposed to asbestos. Should I see a doctor if I have been exposed to asbestos? Can I get compensation if I have been exposed to asbestos? Quick Fact Companies that exposed people to asbestos were forced to create trust funds before filing for bankruptcy. Access Mesothelioma Trust Funds. Tell us what you think Did this article help you?
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