Asbestos is the name given to a specific group of minerals that form in nature as strong, flexible fibers. Because asbestos is fireproof, it has been a valuable material in industrial products such as insulation, roofing shingles, flooring, cement, and brake linings. When tiny particles of asbestos escape into the air during manufacturing, inhalation or ingestion of those particles can lead to very serious health problems. Along with the deadly mesothelioma, asbestos can cause lung cancer, cancer of the larynx, kidney cancer, and asbestosis. It would be a mistake to believe that asbestos has been eradicated. Many of us are likely exposed on a daily basis at work, in school, or at home and will never know it.
People most at risk for developing asbestosis are
workers with years of exposure to asbestos, typically construction material manufacturers
or those working in textile plants. Products that have historically contained asbestos are:
· roofing and siding materials
· casings for electrical wires
· fire protection material
· electrical switchboards and components
· electrical wire insulation
· fire protection material
· thermal insulation
· clutch facings
· automobile brake linings
· gaskets
· heat-resistant materials
· fire-resistant blankets and curtains
· ceiling and floor tile
There is no known cure for asbestosis and those inflicted are at high risk
for developing mesothelioma, a rare form
of lung cancer.
