What is Asbestos?
Naturally, it is common whitish, brownish, or
bluish fibrous minerals practically used in many applications.
Unfortunately, not many knew that they are a potent and deadly
carcinogen. Three most common varieties of asbestos are
-
Chrysotile or commonly known as white asbestos. This is the very
type most commonly used in the industrial sectors.
-
Amosite or commonly known as brown asbestos.
-
Crocidolite or commonly known as blue asbestos. Undeniably the
most dangerous type of asbestos to date.
Do we
have any other types of asbestos?
Yes, the other types are Tremolite, Actinolite
and Anthophylite.
What
sorts of products make use of these dangerous minerals?
Let’s not talk about those being used in
industries. Our concern should be towards those sneaky and unknown
products we have in our home.
Without ever realizing it, many of us applied a
lot of asbestos to our own selves daily. Products that came in the
shape of talc powders may in fact have some form of asbestos in them
at granular scale. Nowadays, there are many cheap talc powders
especially from China that somehow got to be displayed in shopping
shelves worldwide. They are cheap all right but at the same time
contain some type of asbestos in them! Be careful of them.
As for those who love to tinker around with their
cars on weekends in the garage, you too are exposed to some sort of
asbestos. Items such as brake pad linings and gaskets are direct
hazards to your health. Those tiny microscopic dusts can work deadly
wonders if you are exposed to them on regular basis in the long
run.
This is just a few products that we can think of
to create an awareness to be more cautious of such asbestos based
products in your daily life. I highly recommend that you would take
some time to do a research on your own to identify more potential
hazards.
Why
do we use asbestos if it was so dangerous?
Nobody knew of its potential hazards back then
due the apparent lack of medical technology. Hence, asbestos was
used extensively due to its versatility, strength, durability and
what is more important is that they are cheap. As the medical
advancement got more sophisticated in the 20th century,
doctors slowly begin to understand the deadly effect it has on the
frail human body. Unfortunately the knowledge came way too late to
safe millions of affected people worldwide. Proper regulations were
later introduced by developed nations such as America and Europe in
the 1970s to curb the excessive use of asbestos and more and more
countries are beginning to follow their footsteps.
What
potential health hazards can asbestos do to us?
Anyone heard of
mesothelioma? It is in fact a rare form of caner where cancerous
cells can be found living happily ever after in protective layers of most
of your internal bodily organs. On most reported cases, mesothelioma
will start in the pleura or peritoneum and spread like wildfire to
other nearby tissues and organs. Very nasty!
Which
group of people has the highest risk factor for mesothelioma?
Undoubtedly those in the home renovation,
construction industries or work in an environment full of asbestos
dust particles.
If you or anyone in your family is working in such
high risk group, you should be concerned.
What are
the early signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?
Based on past recorded cases, mesothelioma that
affects the pleura caused:
Where
can I get help?
The bad news is that mesothelioma is very hard to
combat. There is hope if those who feel that they are in the high
risk factor report to their personal doctors and conduct an early
diagnosis. So if you are one of them, seek help now.
If you have been exposed to asbestos and are suffering from either
early or late signs of cancer, you could seek compensations if
legally provided so by state and national laws. Please click
HERE for more details
on the subject of seeking compensations.
Saidul A Shaari
is the principal and founder of Sahabatul
Ventures, specializing in helping aspiring home based entrepreneurs
establish and setup their online businesses cost effectively.
An enterprising business individual who turn half ideas into real
money making opportunities.
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