Asbestos Dangers

The Awareness of Asbestos and Its Hazards

The dangers of asbestos are now widely recognized, but this was not always the case. One of the potential health risks associated with asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer. While asbestos use is restricted in the United States today, it is not completely banned and can still be found in many older buildings and ships.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of minerals, although many people often refer to it as a single mineral. This group includes six different fibrous substances: amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. These silicate-based substances are made of silicon and oxygen and consist of bundles of long, thin fibers that can be easily separated.

Asbestos has been mined for centuries and has been used for various purposes. It is known for its strength, sound absorption, heat and fire resistance, electrical resistance, and resistance to corrosive chemicals. Additionally, asbestos is abundant and inexpensive. While asbestos has been used for thousands of years, its widespread mining and use did not reach its peak until the 1800s.

Different Types of Asbestos

Chrysotile asbestos, also known as "white asbestos," has long curly fibers and is commonly used in construction. Other asbestos minerals have shorter, needle-like fibers. Crocidolite, known as "blue asbestos," is the most dangerous type due to its fine and sharp fibers. It has been used in tiles, insulation, cement, and other materials, particularly on ships. Amosite, referred to as "brown asbestos," is also considered more harmful than chrysotile due to its small, sharp fibers. Approximately 5% of asbestos used in construction in the U.S. is brown asbestos.

Asbestos can also be classified as friable or non-friable, depending on how it is used. Friable asbestos can easily crumble, releasing dangerous fibers into the air. Non-friable asbestos is well encapsulated and less likely to become airborne, making it safer.

The History of Asbestos in the United States

Asbestos has been used in the United States since the late 1800s, particularly during the Industrial Revolution when there was a boom in its use in construction and shipbuilding. It was mixed into cement for added strength, used in insulation and fireproofing materials, and extensively applied on ships for insulation and sound absorption.

Today, asbestos can still be found in old ceiling tiles, floor tiles, glues, plastics, vermiculite gardening products, paints, coatings, brake shoes, clutch pads, and various construction materials. In the 1970s, the use of asbestos was restricted in the United States, and several federal agencies have since banned or restricted its use. However, complete bans have been overturned, and certain asbestos-containing materials are still in use.

The Use of Asbestos Today

While many industrialized countries have completely banned asbestos, the United States has limited its use to certain products. These include cement pipes, gaskets, roof coatings, drum brake linings, disk brake pads, components in automatic transmissions, mill board, vinyl floor tiles, fireproof clothing, corrugated cement sheets, roofing felt, and more.

Exposure to Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos occurs when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested. The tiny fibers can become dust and settle on surfaces, posing a risk to anyone in the vicinity. Materials containing asbestos must have the fibers well encapsulated to prevent them from becoming friable. However, if these materials are damaged, asbestos can be released into the air, leading to exposure.

The main danger of asbestos exposure is the fibers becoming lodged in body tissue, causing long-term damage, inflammation, and potentially serious health conditions that may manifest years after initial exposure. The lungs are particularly susceptible to fiber lodging, resulting in respiratory illnesses and cancers.

All types of asbestos are known human carcinogens, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Exposure to asbestos may also elevate the risk of other cancers, including gastrointestinal, colorectal, throat, kidney, gallbladder, and esophageal cancers.

Understanding Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the thin tissue layers surrounding organs, known as the mesothelium. The most common type affects the lining around the lungs, called the pleura, but it can also occur in the abdomen, around the heart, and in the testicles. Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, although not everyone exposed will develop the disease. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is often diagnosed in its later stages, making it difficult to treat and often resulting in a poor prognosis.

Asbestosis and Other Factors

Asbestosis is a progressive disease caused by asbestos exposure, leading to scarring of lung tissue. It can cause breathing difficulties, chronic cough, chest tightness, and pain. Asbestosis scarring cannot be reversed or healed and tends to worsen over time. However, certain treatments can provide temporary relief from symptoms and improve breathing.

In addition to asbestos exposure, other factors can increase the risk of asbestos-related illnesses. Smoking tobacco significantly raises the risk of developing lung cancer. The dose and duration of asbestos exposure are also important factors, with higher amounts and longer exposure periods increasing the risk. The different types of asbestos, with blue and brown being more dangerous than white, also play a role. Genetic factors may also contribute to the risk in some cases.

Who Is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure and Related Illnesses?

While everyone exposed to asbestos carries some degree of risk, most individuals do not face significant concerns. However, those who have breathed contaminated air over an extended period are at a higher risk of developing illnesses. Individuals repeatedly exposed to asbestos for many years, such as miners, construction workers, shipbuilders, factory workers producing asbestos-containing materials, firefighters, autoworkers, and others, face the greatest risk. Members of the United States Navy who served on ships for decades were also exposed to asbestos. Additionally, rescue workers and individuals in the vicinity of the World Trade Center attacks were exposed to asbestos. Second-hand exposure is also a concern, as family members of workers may have been affected by fibers brought home on clothing. While regulations have reduced the risk in these professions, some residual risk remains. Even individuals who do not work directly with asbestos can be exposed, particularly in older homes where asbestos fibers may be present. Remodeling projects can lead to exposure, but professionals trained in asbestos abatement can safely remove or encapsulate asbestos in homes.