Asbestos and the effects on health.
What is asbestos
Asbestos is a generic term for a number of naturally occurring minerals (silicates), which are composed of fine, microscopic fibers. Asbestos is a natural product. It is a mineral extracted in eg South America, Russia and Canada. There are a number of different asbestos minerals. Asbestos fibers are divided into two main groups:
- the spiral or serpentine-like, including chrysotile (also white asbestos)
- the straight or amfiboolachtige including crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), anthophylliet (yellow), tremolite (gray) and actinolite (green).
Only the color of the raw asbestos can be seen to what species it is asbestos. When the material is processed, is that not possible anymore. Only laboratory analysis can that verified.
Asbestos fibers are so fine that they can not be observed with the naked eye.
Effects of asbestos on health.
As long as asbestos is in combined state, there is no danger for the health. If loose asbestos fibers are inhaled they run down the smaller airways and alveoli. There, the small fibers absorbed by macrophages (cells cleanup). Fibers that are too big for this, can migrate to (walk) in the texture. Also they can spread through the lymphatic jobs and end up in places far from the small airways. Coughing loose fibers and macrophages can be swallowed and leave the body through the tract.
Asbestos Diseases
As a result of exposure to asbestos, several asbestos diseases occur:
- asbestosis
- asbestos pleurisy
- lung cancer
- mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneum and pericardium)
- pleural thickening
Most diseases manifest themselves until decades after exposure to asbestos took place are difficult or impossible to cure. The chance of getting asbestos disease depends on the total amount of inhaled asbestos fibers. The so-called cumulative exposure, with as unit fiber years, is the product of exposure concentration (expressed in fibers per cubic centimeter) and exposure duration (work years). One fiber year is 1 fiber per ml x 1 working year. A normal working year consists of 240 days of 8 hours. As the number of fiber years increases, so does the risk of asbestos diseases to.
For the exposure levels of asbestos, which there is no increased risk of cancer or mesothelioma would occur, there is no safe level. An inhaled fiber can have already health effects, although this is a negligible risk. For getting asbestosis must there at least 5 years exposure to asbestos fibers have been. The relative risk of lung cancer after exposure to asbestos is 3.5 .
Cancer
Initially it was thought that the particular chemical composition of asbestos was responsible for cancer formation. This led to the assumption that the blue asbestos the cause was and that the white and brown asbestos due to their different chemical composition would be less dangerous. This view is reflected in the laws on this subject in some countries: use of blue asbestos is banned, there are strict rules for use of other species. Nowadays people will assume that the ‘fiber geometry ‘ (Length-diameter ratio) of asbestos fibers determines the cancer begetting power. Asbestos is not carcinogenic in the biochemical sense, cancer
promotional is a better description.
Removing Asbestos.
Before asbestos can be removed, an asbestos survey must be made. Or asbestos has to be removed depends on how the asbestos is bound in the material. Friable asbestos is usually better to remain be seated. This material does not compromise when it is in good condition and not modified. Or in the case of asbestos-free association (or non-friable asbestos) measures are needed depends on whether or not the material is shielded. Futher more plays a role in the assessment of the asbestos is in a location where people come regularly.
There are strict rules for removing asbestos. Not following the rules of asbestos removal is often more dangerous than not removal of this material.
So when you remove the asbestos, it is best that you follow the rules.
Can I sue an employer that failed to inform me that I was working with asbestos.?
Question by Sarah: Can I sue an employer that failed to inform me that I was working with asbestos.?
Best answer:
Asbestos in California homes?
Question by W.: Asbestos in California homes?
We are buying a home in the SF Bay Area, California. We are wondering about asbestos. What is the age of homes that are likely to contain asbestos? Is the seller required to test for asbestos before selling? Would asbestos testing or lack of it be disclosed in the inspection or environmental hazards report, or does the buyer have to do the inspection/testing instead of the seller? Thanks everyone for any information you can offer.
Best answer:
Answer by badhabyt
Age – anything before 1990, it is not 100% sure after that. Some roofing products were sold much later.
how can i check if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos in it?
Question by anonymous: how can i check if my popcorn ceiling has asbestos in it?
the house was built in 1980
Q&A: Is my insulation asbestos free?
Question by Jack T: Is my insulation asbestos free?
my insulation is puffy and cotton candy like and its yellow
the house was finished in early august 2001
this is also urgent
and is fiberglass harm ful if breath because i wanna do stuff in my attic




